Skip to main content

Family Guide to the Missouri River Outdoor Expo

Did you know Ponca, Nebraska hosts the Midwest's biggest outdoor expo? This September you could be one of the 50k+ people who visit Siouxland's Ponca State Park to take part in the 90+ activities available!

silhouettes of two adults and a child are visible as they fish on a wooden dock at sunset. in foreground, the words "Missouri River Outdoor Expo Ponca, Nebraska"



When is the Missouri River Outdoor Expo?

The expo happens every September, usually the third weekend. Saturday and Sunday are open to the public, while Friday is dedicated to school field trips. The 2021 expo is on Saturday and Sunday September 18th and 19th, from 9am to 5pm, with school day happening Friday, September 17th, 2021. 

Where is the Missouri River Outdoor Expo?

The Missouri River Outdoor Expo takes place at Ponca State Park in Ponca, Nebraska. The park is about 25 miles or 32 minute drive from downtown Sioux City. There is ample free parking at Ponca State Park, and admission to the Expo itself is free, but like all Nebraska State Parks, a valid park entry pass is required and is not free. Daily passes ($6 per vehicle for NE residents and $8 per vehicle for visitors from other states) and annual passes ($31 per vehicle for NE residents and $46 per vehicle for visitors from other states) are available for purchase. There are also discounted passes available for second vehicles owned by passholders. Full details and online purchase options here, but they are also available in person in town. 



What to do at the Missouri River Outdoor Expo with Kids

  • Outdoor sports: Kids can go hiking, fishing, or kayaking, climb a rock wall, brave the ropes course, or learn how to shoot slingshots, pellet guns, an atlatl, and more
  • Live animals: Kids can watch or help tag monarch butterflies, learn about beekeeping, have opportunities to see raptors, snakes, observe the NGPC Semi Trailer sized aquarium, and explore in touch tanks full of Missouri River fish and turtles
  • Entertainment: Sit back and enjoy watching archery competitions, dog shows, a lumber jack show and more, or take a boat tour on the Missouri!
  • Annual Kids Cookoff: Kids ages 5-10 will compete in a BBQ Quesadilla Competition, held both Saturday and Sunday. Registration is at 10am, and at 10:15am, 10 kids' names will be drawn to compete. Then at 11am, kids aged 11-15 will compete to make stick pies! All ingredients will be provided and creations will be judged on taste, creativity, and cooking technique.
  • The Kids' Zone: The Kids Zone features live animals, furs and skulls, science experiments, a water table, sound wall, and more!
  • Cowboy Camp: In Cowboys Camp, kids can meet a Teddy Roosevelt impersonator, see real Teddy Roosevelt artifacts, and try their hand at branding!


What to bring to the Missouri River Outdoor Expo with Kids

For a day at the expo, I suggest bringing:
  • Diaper changing supplies including a changing mat
  • Clothes and shoes that you and your kids can feel comfortable being active and getting dirty in
  • Bug spray
  • Sunscreen & hats
  • Life jackets if you plan on boating
  • Cash for food trucks and other vendors
  • Camera!

More details about the Missouri River Outdoor Expo

For more information, check out The Missouri River Expo website and Facebook page. Have fun in Ponca!
Location: Ponca State Park, 88090 Spur 26 E, Ponca, NE 68770, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks for joining in the conversation! We can't wait to hear what you have to say. Some comments are moderated, so it may take some time for your comment to appear on the site. We encourage lively discussion, but will delete comments that are hostile, hateful, spammy, or rude.

Popular posts from this blog

Christmas Events in Sioux City & Siouxland

Christmas is coming! The Sioux City area has so many fun and festive events and activities to celebrate the Christmas season and I'm excited to share them all with you.  This post features the best Christmas   events   in Siouxland, the   best places in Siouxland to see Christmas lights , and some of the   best places in Siouxland to see Santa ! This post was originally written in 2018 and is now updated with 2024 events. I will keep updating this post throughout November and December 2024 as new details become available. Please email me at SiouxlandFamiliesBlog [at] gmail at anytime if you have updates I should add! Sioux City & Siouxland Christmas Events November 2024 Christmas at the Homestead  at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve Saturday 11/09/24 November 9th from noon to 4pm at  Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve  in North Sioux City, South Dakota Historical buildings will be festively decorated, vendors will be on site, and ...
2 comments
Read more

Siouxland Pumpkin Patches

One of the best parts of living right in the middle of some of the world's best farmland is access to amazing pumpkin patches! Whether you're looking for simply pumpkins in a farm field, or an all-day adventure with corn mazes, hayrides, apple cider donuts, and cute photo opps, or something in between, Siouxland probably has your type of pumpkin patch! Here are the best pumpkin patches in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota within a 2-hour drive from downtown Sioux City, listed by distance from downtown Sioux City: Now updated with 2024 hours, rates, and events, and I will update throughout the season as new details are available. Please  e-mail me  if you own or operate a pumpkin patch and would like to update your entry or add a patch to our list! Scarecrow Farm Photo used with permission from Scarecrow Farm Location : 1592 Charles Avenue, Lawton, Iowa Distance from downtown Sioux City : 8.7 miles/ 15 minutes (4 miles East of Menards) Dates for 2024 : Sunflower Days a...
1 comment
Read more

Halloween in Sioux City & Siouxland

Happy Halloween! I originally posted this list in 2020 and it is now updated with 2024 details. I'll keep updating it throughout October as I hear of more events and details. CLICK HERE TO GO TO FULL OCTOBER EVENTS LIST INSTEAD Siouxland rocks at Halloween. We've got everything from kid-friendly trunk-or-treat events and craft projects to a possibly-haunted former asylum that will terrify even teens. And as 2024 dates and details are released for more Halloween events in Sioux City and our neighboring communities, I'll try to include them all here! So bookmark this page and check back anytime you want to know where to celebrate this season, whether you're looking for spooky or sweet! Please keep in mind that things may change especially quickly this year, so please stay flexible and patient as everyone tries to find the right balance of caution and fun. Table of Contents Pumpkin Patches Events in Sioux City Trunk-or-Treats in...
Post a Comment
Read more