Headid Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Headid Park is a state park located in the northwest corner of Nebraska.


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Summary

It is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The park covers over 6,000 acres of rolling hills, forests, and grasslands, and offers a variety of recreational activities, including camping, hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching.

One of the main attractions of Headid Park is the scenic Niobrara River, which runs through the park and is a popular spot for canoeing and kayaking. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, bison, deer, and pronghorn, as well as various species of birds and fish.

Some of the specific points of interest in Headid Park include the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, which is adjacent to the park and is home to a herd of bison and a variety of other wildlife. The park also has several hiking trails, including the 2.5-mile Smith Falls Trail, which leads to the state's highest waterfall.

Interesting facts about Headid Park include the fact that it is home to the state's largest elk herd, with an estimated population of over 2,000. The park is also home to several threatened and endangered species, including the swift fox and the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.

The best time of year to visit Headid Park depends on what activities you are interested in. Summer is a popular time for camping, hiking, and water sports, while fall is a great time for wildlife watching and hunting. Winter activities include cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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