Keya Paha County, Nebraska

Keya Paha County, Nebraska

County seat: Springview · Created: from Brown County; voters approved November 4, 1884, and the county dates from December 17, 1884 · Named for: the Keya Paha River (Dakota for “turtle hill”) · License plates: prefix 82 · Population: 769 (2020 census); peak 3,920 in 1890 · Area: 773 sq mi · Time zone: Central

About Keya Paha County

Keya Paha County lies along the South Dakota line between the Keya Paha River on the north and the Niobrara canyon on the south, a land of rolling “turtle hills,” tableland ranches and pine-and-oak river bluffs. Springview, the county seat, and Burton are its only incorporated places; Norden, Mills, Meadville, Jamison and Carns are ranch communities and former post offices. No railroad was ever built into the county. It borders Tripp, Gregory and Todd counties in South Dakota and Boyd, Holt, Rock, Brown and Cherry counties in Nebraska.

The land north of the Niobrara was part of Brown County until voters there chose on November 4, 1884, to make it a county of its own. Springview beat Burton for the county seat on March 24, 1885. Settlement peaked early: the 1890 census counted 3,920 people. The 1914–15 courthouse still serves, and the 1915–16 high school is now the county museum. In July 2012 the Fairfield Creek fire burned about 117 square miles of the Niobrara valley in Keya Paha, Brown and Cherry counties and nearly wiped out Norden. The March 2019 flood closed the Carns Bridge and damaged river landings. On August 10, 2026, the state swapped highway numbers: the Bassett–Springview road is now US 183, and the road from US 20 past Keller Park is NE 7 again.

Towns of Keya Paha County

Travel Corridors

NE 12 — the Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway, east–west through Norden, Springview and Burton. Highway 12 Corridor →

US 183 — since Aug. 10, 2026, north from Bassett across the Niobrara to Springview, east with NE 12 for 5 miles, then north to South Dakota. US 183 Corridor → NE 7 now ends at US 183 south of Springview; NE 137 runs from Newport north through Jamison to South Dakota.

Cameras: View Keya Paha County cameras → · Road conditions: Nebraska 511

Things to See

The Norden Dance Hall and the county fair at Norden; the county museum and courthouse in Springview; the National Register Carns State Aid Bridge over the Niobrara and Lewis Bridge over the Keya Paha River.

Outdoors

The Nature Conservancy’s Niobrara Valley Preserve, about 56,000 acres in Keya Paha, Brown and Cherry counties, has more than 500 bison, hiking trails on both sides of the river and is open year-round. Float the eastern Niobrara from Norden Bridge or Meadville Bridge (outfitters do not allow rental boats through Norden Chute). Cub Creek Recreation Area, 8 miles west of Springview, has free primitive camping and a 27-acre lake with bass, bluegill, catfish, crappie and perch. The Springview Recreation Area has six electric camper pads and a dump station. Hunt deer and turkey at Thomas Creek WMA (1,154 acres) and Holt Creek WMA (159 acres). Golf at the 9-hole Springview Golf Club.

Keya Paha County Business Directory

Businesses within 20 miles of: Springview · Mills · All listings →

Adjacent Counties

Tripp County, South Dakota (north) · Gregory County, South Dakota (northeast) · Boyd County (east) · Holt County (southeast) · Rock County and Brown County (south) · Cherry County (west) · Todd County, South Dakota (northwest).

Events

Each year: dances at the Norden Dance Hall every other Saturday from late May to early October, and the Keya Paha County Fair and rodeo at Norden in August, held since 1898.

Keya Paha County at a Glance

Keya Paha County, Nebraska — turtle hills and Niobrara canyon on the South Dakota line. County seat Springview. 93 listings across 7 towns. Central Time.

Getting there: NE 12 east–west; US 183 north–south through Springview (renumbered Aug. 10, 2026); NE 137 in the east. No railroad.

For visitors: the Norden Dance Hall and county fair, the Niobrara Valley Preserve and its bison, Cub Creek, and the county museum. Nearest hospitals in Ainsworth and Bassett.