Glidden Canoe Rental 
Dismal River Excursions

Dismal River Excursions

Glidden Canoe Rentals offers trips starting at the Highway 97 bridge. We have a first day trip that is 6 hours and ends at a bridge 13 miles south of Seneca.  A second day trip can be a 4-7 hour trip depending on the takeout point you choose.  We offer a takeout at what we call Potters campground, or you can canoe to Highway 83 south of Thedford.

The Dismal is a challenging river that runs deep, and fast in several places, and is extremely winding. It is NOT a river for the novice canoeist. What makes it different is the 6 to 8 miles per hour current, and the winding nature.  There are areas of heavy dead fall (trees that have fallen into the river); in some places openings have been cut through the deadfall to permit passage. Also, there are barbed wire fences - the fences on the upper part of the river have been made canoer friendly, but the lower part has not.  The canoeist always needs to be prepared and plan ahead.

The Dismal River is a true Sandhills River, having its beginning and ending in the grass-cloaked hills that cover some 20,000 square miles in central Nebraska. It is short by most Nebraska river standards, flowing only 80 miles to its confluence with the Middle Loup at Dunning. It is the state's wildest, youngest and most undeveloped river.

The Dismal is spring fed, flowing constant all year. While canoeing the upper portion you will frequently hear springs running into the river. The largest is 20 feet wide and is over 100 feet deep. It appears to be an ankle deep pool, but the sand bottom floats in the spring.  Stepping in, you will discover no bottom, although the spring pushes you up.  Standing in the spring you will be only waist deep in water.  It is remarkably unique and all canoers state that they have never seen anything like it! There are a few short runs of white water, one with short falls that may be canoed or ported through.

Glidden Sandhills Motel and Glidden Canoe Rental
507 SW 1st St.
Mullen, NE 69152
Phone: 308-546-2206 or toll free 1-888-278-6167
or by email