Explore the parks with these Game and Parks events in December

Spend some time in Nebraska’s state parks this fall and winter by attending a variety of events throughout December.

Don’t forget a vehicle park entry permit is required at Nebraska state parks. Get one at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at state park entrances.

Lewis and Clark hosting Holiday Tree Decorating Contest

Put your tree-decorating skills to the test for a chance to win a two-night cabin stay at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area near Crofton. The Holiday Tree Decorating Contest will run Nov. 28 to Jan. 5.

Contestants – households or groups – may decorate one tree along the park’s entrance driveway.

Contestants are encouraged to use environmentally friendly decorations, such as popcorn garland, solar powered lights, bird seed pine cones, wildlife-friendly decorations and more. Then take a photo of the decorated tree and send it to npgc.lewis.clark@nebraska.gov.

For more information, call the park at 402-388-4169.

Holiday cabin discount at Lewis and Clark SRA

Share time with family or friends over the holidays in cozy cabin at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area. Reserve between Dec. 1 and Jan. 3 and get a 30% discount.

The discount makes the cabin rental $224, plus tax, for two nights, which is the minimum required stay.

Add a holiday gift basket for a nonrefundable $30. This includes souvenir keepsakes, an ornament, festive snacks and beverages.

Call the park office at 402-388-4169 to reserve a cabin.

Fort Robinson historical Christmas dinner

Travel back to 1874 and celebrate a historical, 28th annual Christmas dinner at the lodge at Fort Robinson State Park.

The dinner will begin at 6 p.m. Mountain Time on Dec. 7.

Tickets, at a limit of four per family, are $35 each. Buy them at the Fort Robinson Lodge, Chadron Chamber of Commerce and Sandhills State Bank in Harrison. Only cash or check accepted.

Platte River SP to host Archery on Fire

Test your skills in archery and primitive shooting at the Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Complex from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7 at Platte River State Park. There also will be a naturalist tent with many nature activities to explore. 

Ponca celebrates Christmas in the Woods

Enjoy winter at Ponca State Park during Christmas in the Woods with lighted hayrack rides through the woods each Saturday in December.

Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28, free rides will start at 4:40 p.m. and run through 6:30 p.m. Guests can sign up at the park office, which also is the pick-up and drop-off location. Rides take approximately 20 minutes.

Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies at the Resource and Education Center during your visit.

Holiday Hike at Wildcat Hills

Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area invites families of all ages and experience levels to embrace the season with a fun and festive Holiday Hike through nature Dec. 14.

Meet at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center at 1 p.m. Mountain Time to begin this half-mile hike through the winter landscape on uneven terrain. Along the way, enjoy holiday-themed activities, nature games, and even a special guest or two. Later, warm up by the fire with hot cocoa and cookies.

Call the Wildcat Hills Nature Center at 308-436-3777 for more information.

Mahoney SP to host Classic Christmas on Dec. 14

Classic Christmas is a fun holiday event for the entire family from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 14 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s Crete Carrier Riverview Lodge.

Families can participate with their children decorating a sugar cookie or making a holiday ornament. Take a free trolley ride through the park (weather permitting).

Santa will stop by. Free portraits with him will be taken by a Nebraskaland Magazine photographer.

Ponca SP to host Winterfest

Close out the year in style at Ponca State Park with the annual Winterfest on Dec. 14.

Highlights of the free event, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., include the Christmas Bird Count, naturalist activities and the National Championship Fruitcake Fling at noon.

In the fruitcake fling, contestants throw wildlife-friendly fruitcakes for distance. Prizes are awarded in four age groups.

For more information, call Ponca SP, at 402-755-2284.

Yule Log Festival is Dec. 21 at Platte River SP

Come to Platte River State Park with family and friends Dec. 21 and enjoy the Yule Log Festival.

This event, from noon to 5:30 p.m. at the Walter Scott Jr. Lodge, will include making pine cone bird feeders, roasting marshmallows, Yule Log Quest, kindling hunt, lighted hayrack rides, games, photos with Santa, holiday cookie decorating contest, bonfire and more.

The Yule Log Quest is limited to 20 teams, which can register by calling the office at 402-234-2217.