Posted in Nebraska Hiking, Nature March 01, 2023 by

These 20 Hiking Spots In Nebraska Are Completely Out Of This World

The great state of Nebraska is home to some truly spectacular natural settings. Hiking one of Nebraska’s many trails is a great way to get close to nature while getting some exercise. Whether you’re out for an easy walk on a paved trail or a challenging weekend-long trek, there’s a hiking trail that’s perfect for you. Fans of the outdoors have cause to celebrate: here are some of the all-time best hikes in Nebraska. Where are your favorite places to go hiking in NE? Let us know!

1) Chalco Hills Trails, Omaha
AllTrails
Chalco Hills Recreation Area, 8901 S 154th St, Omaha, NE 68138, USA
2) Cowboy Trail, Valentine-Norfolk
flickr/Ken Ratcliff
Cowboy Trail, Nebraska, USA
3) E.T. Mahoney Trails, Ashland
AllTrails
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, 28500 W Park Hwy, Ashland, NE 68003, USA
4) Fontanelle Forest River Boardwalk Hike, Bellevue
AllTrails
Fontenelle Forest, 1111 Bellevue Blvd N, Bellevue, NE 68005, USA
5) Fort Robinson State Park, Crawford
Visit Nebraska
Fort Robinson State Park, Soldier Creek Rd & US Hwy 20, Crawford, NE 69339, USA
6) Indian Cave State Park, Shubert
flickr/RLEVANS
Indian Cave State Park, 720 Road, Shubert, NE, USA
7) Lake Ogallala Trail, Ogallala
AllTrails
8) Niobrara State Park, Niobrara
AllTrails
Niobrara State Park, 89261 522 Ave, Niobrara, NE 68760, USA
9) Olson Nature Preserve, Boone County
Wikimedia
Olson Nature Preserve, Y Rd, Albion, NE 68620, USA
10) Oxbow Trail Recreation Area, Butler County
Nebraska NRD
Oxbow Trail Recreation Area, Road L and, State Spur 12C, Ulysses, NE 68669, USA
11) Pine Ridge National Recreation Area, Chadron
Wikimedia
Pine Ridge National Recreation Area, Chadron, NE 69337, USA
12) Pioneers Park Nature Center, Lincoln
flickr/James Dean
Pioneers Park Nature Center, 3201 South Coddington, Lincoln, NE 68522, USA
13) Platte River State Park, Louisville
flickr/RLEVANS
Platte River State Park, 14421 346th St, Louisville, NE 68037, USA
14) Ponca State Park, Ponca
AllTrails
Ponca State Park, 88090 Spur 26 E, Ponca, NE 68770, USA
15) Scotts Bluff National Monument, Scottsbluff
National Park Service
Scotts Bluff National Monument, Old Oregon Trail, Gering, NE, USA
16) Schramm Park National Recreation Trail, Gretna
flickr/RLEVANS
SCHRAMM PARK STATE RECREATION AREA, 20874-21146, NE-31, Gretna, NE 68028, USA
17) Nebraska National Forest, Northwest Nebraska
flickr/Nick
Nebraska National Forest, 125 N Main St, Chadron, NE 69337, USA
18) Toadstool Geologic Park, Crawford
Wikimedia
Toadstool Geological Park and Campground, Harrison, NE 69346, USA
19) Wildcat Hills State Recreation and Nature Center, Scottsbluff
Visit Scottsbluff
Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area, 210615 NE-71, Gering, NE 69341, USA
20) Zorinsky Lake, Omaha
flickr/Christine Warner
Zorinsky Lake, Omaha, NE, USA

These trails are just a sampling of the many, many trails that crisscross the state. As it turns out, Nebraska is an amazing place for hikers! The abundance of wide-open spaces leaves lots of room for wandering and exploring. Nearly every park and nature center in Nebraska features walking or hiking trails, so what are you waiting for? Get out there and explore Nebraska’s natural beauty.

Do you have any nominations for the best hikes in Nebraska? Tell us about them by filling out this form and you might just see an article written about yours someday!

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes in Nebraska

March 06, 2023
Tori Jane
  1. What are some of the best hikes in Nebraska? 

Nebraska is not exactly known for its hiking, but we think it should be. There are more than a handful of awesome hiking trails in Nebraska – so many we can’t mention all of them in just a few paragraphs! Some of the best hikes in Nebraska are ones like: 

  • The Platte River State Park Loop Trail – this 6.7-mile trail is probably the single most popular hike in the state and for good reason; it’s a stunner!  
  • The Saddle Rock Trail – a three-mile trek that wanders from the visitor center all the way up to the summit of beautiful Scotts Bluff. Epic views! 
  • The Zorinsky Lake Trail Full Loop – a 7.8-mile adventure that shows off some of the most beautiful scenery In the state.  

 

Learn more about the most beautiful hiking trails in Nebraska. 

  1. Which Nebraska hiking trails should I add to my bucket list? 

Of course, the list of awesome hiking trails in Nebraska isn’t limited to just the best of the best – there are lots of other amazing Nebraska hiking trails worthy of adding to the bucket list, such as: 

  • The Cowboy Trail – this awesome trek is the longest rails-to-trails conversion in the U.S.!  
  • George Shannon Trail – an incredible, 240-mile-long trail with some of the most amazing views in Nebraska.  
  • The Waterfall Hike at Smith Falls State Park – yes, there is a such thing as waterfalls in Nebraska, and this trail takes you to one of the best.  

 

Learn more about each of these wonderful hiking trails in Nebraska and then some.   

  1. Where are some of the most beautiful places to go hiking in Nebraska? 

Looking for more general areas? Here are some of the most beautiful places to go hiking in Nebraska: 

  • Scotts Bluff National Monument 
  • Soldier Creek Wilderness Area 
  • For Robinson State Park 
  • Toadstool Geological Park 

 

Learn more about some of the most beautiful state parks in Nebraska.