Overnight Trip to Ponca State Park

 Nebraska

Need to unplug? Rent a cabin at Ponca State Park. This park is located in the Northeastern part of Nebraska, right on the Missouri River. These cabins are available mid April through mid November. The best part? Each cabin has a full kitchen and a COFFEE MAKER. I paid $196 for two nights in Cabin 10. You can reserve one here. 

There's no wifi, unless you decide to stay in one of their conference center cabins, which sleeps 8. These range around $189 during October. To check for price ranges in a different season and availability click here.

The interior of my cabin was far more than I expected. The pictures on their site looked nice and cozy. Then I got there and was blown awayyy. The quilt on my bed was the cutest thing. The kitchen looked straight out of an Airbnb cabin. It was the perfect little place to unplug from city life.

4pm: Check-in and unpack
​

5pm: Plan a campfire meal
If you haven't bought groceries yet, head back into Ponca and stop in at B and S Trading Post. This is by far the cutest and cleanest grocery store I've ever seen for a tiny town of a 1,000.

6pm: Cook and eat supper
We had seasoned vegetables, biscuits and gravy, and the sunflower crunch salad mix by Dole. (AKA packed with the best salad dressing you'll ever try.)

7pm: Head to Towers of Time for the sunset
This was the best spot I could find in the park for sunset watching.
​

7:30pm Walk one of their trails or stop at their two lookouts

• Three-State Lookout (Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota) This one is about a three to five minute drive.
• Overlook close to Buffalo Run Trail​​: This one is a five to ten minute drive from your cabin. If you pass the water park and the eco green cabins, you're heading in the right direction.

​

​---

7am: Sunrise at Riverfront Campground
Unfortunately, I didn't get to spend a sunrise here because I slept so hard the first night and left at 4am the second. Although, I did get to spend hours at the Riverfront writing with this beautiful view.
​
I opened the hatch of my car and played Spotify's "Autumn Acoustic" playlist. It was so nice to feel the sun on my face and fill up pages in my journal. I can't express how refreshing this was, especially when my phone died and the river became my music. 

8/8:30am: Breakfast​
I left at 4am, but I can imagine now the assortment you could create with a campfire. Eggs. Bacon. Potatoes. Even pancakes! Need to plan another camping trip already.

​9:30am: Try another trail, drive the Loess Hill Loop, or visit their gift shop/education center
If I ever go back, I am definitely buying one of their crewnecks at the gift shop. Simple logo. Cozy fabric. $20. 

10:30/11am: Pack up and check out
They have a drop box for keys if let's say you leave at 4am ;)
​

Sidenote: I know I promised an update on what I actually wore. This picture sums up what I threw on both mornings. The only difference was I wore a flannel the first day cause hey I was in a log cabin!

I only hit on a few things they have to do at this park, because of the short amount of time I spent there. Ponca also has horseback riding, an aquatic center, a shooting complex, and a golf course, along with other seasonal activities you can find here.

Click here to download the park map.

​Follow me on Instagram for more photos and inspiration! 

*Have you ever stayed in a cabin alone? How did it go?

​*What places have you found are relaxing to visit by yourself? 
​