Area 433 acres. Mostly bur oak and cedar; bisected by Louse Creek, with steep wooded slopes and rolling grasslands.
Niobrara Valley
This portion of the state includes two of the very best bird-finding localities in the state, namely Valentine and Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuges (both in Cherry County). These two locations have bird lists (221 and 201 species respectively, and with 93 and 76 respective breeding species) that are among the largest in the state, with a combination of eastern, western and widespread species.
Smith Falls State Park
Area 244 acres. The river can be crossed by a footbridge for a view of the falls. Note: relic Pleistocene stand of paper birch on the north-facing slopes of the canyon. Watch for wild turkeys. Red-eyed vireos, American redstarts and black-and-white warblers nest here. Also Whip-poor-wills may be heard at
Spencer Dam Wildlife Management Area
Includes 9 acres of Niobrara River Valley, providing river access.
Thomas Creek Wildlife Management Area
Steep topography around Thomas Creek, with grassland on the hills and wooded creek-bottom.
Twin Lakes R.C. Wildlife Management Area
It includes 113 acres of surface water (two lakes) and 30 acres of grassland.
Peterson Wildlife Management Area
Area is 2,460 acres. This area consists of habitats alternating between mature ponderosa pine forests and grasslands in typical ridge-and canyon topography. Two streams bisect the area, There are no camping facilities.
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is located in Sioux County about 20 miles south of Harrison, off Highway 29. Habitat includes nearly 2,000 acres of Shortgrass Prairie. No published bird checklist is yet available, but 156 species have been reported for the site, including Ferruginous Hawk, Mountain Plover, Burrowing Owl,