We Did the Research, This Is Officially the Oddest Hiking Trail Name in Nebraska

Hey, Nebraskans. What do you look for when you look for a hiking trail? Maybe you’re after a sweeping, soul-stirring adventure. If that’s the case, I’ll point you to the stunning Platte River Bridge Trail. Maybe you’re more into peace and solitude. You know, the kind where you can hear your thoughts and not someone else’s Bluetooth speaker. If that’s your speed, I've got five quiet trail options for you.

But sometimes, I’m not looking for “epic” or “quiet.” I want weird. I want something that makes me laugh and double-check the map. Something offbeat, just waiting to be discovered. That’s how I stumbled on what is officially the most oddly named trail in all of Nebraska: Ruthie’s Backyard, Pumptrack, and Eastbound and Down Loop.

No, I didn’t make that up. It’s real. It’s located in Platte River State Park, just outside the town of South Bend. Let’s talk about that park for a second, because it deserves a standing ovation. Platte River State Park is one of those magical Nebraska spots that feels like it was designed by someone who had a checklist labeled “Everything Good About the Outdoors.” It’s got cabins, scenic overlooks, wooded trails, waterfalls, fishing, paddle boating, and even guided horseback riding (just a heads up—you can’t bring your own horse, unless your horse moonlights as a park employee). And yes, it also has Ruthie’s Backyard, Pumptrack, and Eastbound and Down Loop.

The trail is a 7.6-mile loop that takes you on a rollercoaster tour of the park’s highlights: the Platte River, Jenny Newman Lake, Stone Creek Falls, and a collection of hills that your calves won’t forget anytime soon. On average, it takes a little over three hours to complete, and it’s ranked as moderately challenging. It’s a popular route, especially from March through November, which makes sense, right? Spring wildflowers, fall foliage, and summer swims at the lake each put on a good show. And yes, dogs are welcome, but they do need to stay on a leash.

Now, let’s address the odd name. I couldn’t find an official explanation for it. And, y'all, believe me, I looked. No plaque, no local legend, not even a ranger with a wink and a story. So I’m left to speculate. My best guess? Ruthie was a legend. Maybe she built a backyard pumptrack, which, by the way, is a compact dirt loop used by mountain bikers to practice skills like balance and speed. It’s like a skatepark met a BMX course and had a baby made of Nebraska soil. Maybe “Eastbound and Down” refers to the trail’s direction. Or maybe it’s a tribute to someone’s love of 1970s trucker comedies or Danny McBride sitcoms. Either way, the name’s a conversation starter. You’ll tell people where you hiked, and they’ll either ask you to repeat it or assume you hallucinated it during allergy season.

Along the way, you might spot deer, wild turkeys, or even the occasional small snake basking in the sun. The waterfall near Walter Scott Lodge flows strongest in spring, and it’s a sweet reward after a bit of an incline. Parts of the trail feel rugged, but then you’ll hit a quiet patch of pines and feel like you’ve wandered into a postcard. One hiker said the intimacy with nature here is unmatched, and I agree, as long as we’re also being intimate with our bug spray. Trust me. The insects show up hungry.

Once you're done with the loop and ready to reward your efforts, you can grab a bite nearby in Louisville or head into Ashland. Head to Glacial Till Cider House & Tasting Room for a crisp cider. You’ve earned it.

So here’s your call to action: get to Nebraska. Get to South Bend. Visit Platte River State Park (one of the best State Parks in Nebraska), and make your way to Ruthie’s Backyard, Pumptrack, and Eastbound and Down Loop... even if just to tell people you did. Bring the bug spray, charge your phone, and stretch those legs. This trail is strange, scenic, and full of surprises: just the way a Nebraska summer should be.