Elkhorn River in Nebraska

Trip Overview

Nickerson Bridge to Arlington Bridge

The Elkhorn River from the Nickerson Bridge to the Arlington Bridge is 12.2 river miles, according to my hand-held GPS. There is good access to the Elkhorn on the southeast side of the Nickerson Bridge. You can drive to within 20 yards of the water to unload the canoes.

We were on the river for 4 hours which included a 30-minute break for lunch. We "easy paddled" it, so a person could probably cut 45 minutes off if they wated to, or stretch it out by stopping on the numerous sandbars. There is always downed timber in the river, but the channel is strong and deep. It is a great one-day trip.

The down-side is that the access at the end will require lifting the canoes up an embankment and carrying the canoes 40 yard to the road. All four corners of the bridge/river crossing are about the same, and we determined the best was the southwest access.

Accommodations:

No public facilities at either end or between.
Town within 1 mile of either bridge has all services.
One primitive camping spot maintained by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approximately two miles north of the Arlington Bridge.

Fees:

None required. Follow Nebraska boating rules.

Directions:

Nickerson Bridge: Approximately 5 miles north of Fremont, NE on HWY 77. Three miles east on HWY 91.
Arlington Bridge: Approximately 5 miles east of Fremont, NE on HWY 30 (1/2 mile west of Arlington, NE).

Resources:

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission website has a boating section with overall descriptions. You can't make a mistake; You go from one bridge to the next.