15 Trails In Nebraska You Must Take If You Love The Outdoors
There’s really no bad time to go hiking in Nebraska, in our opinion. Whether you’re looking at the new life of spring, the bright green of summer, the colorful leaves of fall, or the winter ground blanketed in snow, our trails are amazing year-round. If you’re looking for a great place to spend a relaxing day outdoors, you’ll definitely want to visit one of these scenic hikes in Nebraska to get lost in nature. These are some of the best hiking trails in Nebraska!
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1. Tree Adventure at Arbor Day Farm (Nebraska City)
There are some very fun stops along this wooded trail that kids and grownups will enjoy discovering. The trail includes a trip through the Treetop Village, which will give you a whole new vantage point to see nature from up high! For more information, check out the Arbor Day Farm website.
Paths through the park lead to some interesting sights, including an ancient Native American shelter cave, a 100-year-old stone schoolhouse, and ruts made by the wagon wheels of pioneers. The Windlass Hill Trail located at the park is only about half a mile long, but it's got beautiful wildflowers and is a nice relaxing trail. Find out more information at Alltrails.
3. Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge (Washington County)
Editor's Note: The Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge is temporarily closed. Please check their website
for re-opening info.
Several miles of hiking trails cross through this nature area right on the Missouri River. It's the perfect place for wildlife spotting. So many birds hang out in this area!
Branched Oak has something for just about everyone. It's a pretty big place with miles of walking, biking, and horse trails to explore. For more information about things to do in the park, check out their website. If you're looking for things to do outside in Nebraska, Branched Oak is sure to fit the bill!
Chadron State Park is a place you really have to see if you haven't already. It's a beautiful natural spot with a wide variety of trails for hiking and biking. Their page on Alltrails has more information about their trails.
You obviously can't climb to the landmark's pinnacle, but there are some pretty trails running through the park. You can't beat this historic landscape! The National Parks Service website has more information.
This pine forest in the middle of the sandhills is such a unique place to spend a day (or more) exploring on foot or on ATVs. The USDA website has more information.
A two-mile trail loops around this lovely lake. It's an easy stroll and the park is very family-friendly. More information about the Antelope Creek Trail at Holmes Lake is available on Alltrails.
9. Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area (Crofton)
Whether you're visiting for a day or camping for a week, Lewis and Clark is packed with beautiful views and plenty of things to do, including some nice hiking. The Nebraska Game Parks website has more information.
The MoPac Trail is popular with cyclists and runners; much of it is wooded and it feels like you're far away from the city even though you're not that far, geographically speaking! For more information on the trail, you can check out MoPac West and MoPac East on Alltrails.
This forest in the city has a boardwalk trail or dirt trails if you feel like venturing a bit further into nature. The trail is a little over 3 miles and is extremely diverse! Find out more information about one of the best hiking trails in Nebraska at Alltrails.
Pawnee State Recreation Area encompasses more than 2,500 acres. It's a completely fantastic place to watch wildlife while you're hiking the extensive trails. Find out more information from Nebraska Game Parks.
13. Rock Creek Station State Historical Park (Jefferson County)
This historic spot features some wonderful restored structures from its old pioneer days, and you can still see wagon wheel ruts from Oregon Trail travelers! There are about four miles of hiking trails on the site that let you walk through a significant part of Nebraska's history. Find out more information from the National Park Service.
This park isn't all about the waterfall - there are some beautiful wooded trails all around the park where you can enjoy some of Nebraska's finest scenery. Smith Falls is the highest waterfall in the state, and this is one of the most scenic hikes in Nebraska. Find out more information from the Nebraska Game Parks.
Two Rivers is a really fun place to camp - especially since the installation of ten converted caboose cabins - but it also offers up some great hiking trails. Find out more information about the just over two mile loop from Alltrails.
With such beautiful scenery all around us, it’s a wonder we ever spend any time inside!
What’s your favorite trail in Nebraska? Let us know in the comments.
Address: 2611 Arbor Ave, Nebraska City, NE 68410, USA
Address: 4055 US-26, Lewellen, NE 69147, USA
Address: Boyer Chute, Township 1, NE, USA
Address: 12000 W Branched Oak Rd, Raymond, NE 68428, USA
Address: 15951 Gold Rush Byway, Chadron, NE 69337, USA
Address: Chimney Rock, West Bayard, NE 69334, USA
Address: 125 N Main St, Chadron, NE 69337, USA
Address: Holmes Lake, Lincoln, NE 68506, USA
Address: Crofton, NE 68730, USA
Address: Mopac Trail, Lincoln, NE, USA
Address: 14323 Edith Marie Ave, Omaha, NE 68112, USA
Address: Pawnee Lake State Recreation Rd, Nebraska, USA
Address: Rock Creek, United States
Address: Smith Falls, Valentine, NE 69221, USA
Address: Two Rivers State Recreation Rd, Waterloo, NE 68069, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Things To Do Outside In Nebraska
May 12, 2021
Lisa Sammons
What are some more scenic hikes in Nebraska?
We’ve got so much natural beauty all around us that it really is a wonder anyone ever stays indoors here! The Saddle Rock Trail in the gorgeous Scott Bluff National Monument Area is a short-but-sweet hike that’s only about three miles long, but has stunning scenery. The Niobrara Loop Trail is another great Nebraska hike that has stunning views.
What are some other things to do outside in Nebraska?
The Sunken Gardens in Lincoln are absolutely beautiful! We also have a lot of very fun pioneer history-type sites, such as Chimney Rock. It’s amazing to drive through the state now in a gasoline-powered automobile or fly over in an airplane and think about people in the past trudging along in an ox or horse-pulled covered wagon. Funnily enough, Nebraska is often thought of as a flat state, but we’ve got plenty of really cool rock formations!
Are there any swimming holes in Nebraska?
We’ve got some excellent swimming holes! You’ll definitely want to check out the Sandy Channel State Recreation Area near Elm Creek. We’ve also got tons of lakes that are totally worth a visit on a hot summer’s day. It’s not a swimming hole or a natural water park, but Fremont Splash Station is a fantastic water park that is guaranteed to make you feel like a kid again.
Address: 2611 Arbor Ave, Nebraska City, NE 68410, USA
Address: 4055 US-26, Lewellen, NE 69147, USA
Address: Boyer Chute, Township 1, NE, USA
Address: 12000 W Branched Oak Rd, Raymond, NE 68428, USA
Address: 15951 Gold Rush Byway, Chadron, NE 69337, USA
Address: Chimney Rock, West Bayard, NE 69334, USA
Address: 125 N Main St, Chadron, NE 69337, USA
Address: Holmes Lake, Lincoln, NE 68506, USA
Address: Crofton, NE 68730, USA
Address: Mopac Trail, Lincoln, NE, USA
Address: 14323 Edith Marie Ave, Omaha, NE 68112, USA
Address: Pawnee Lake State Recreation Rd, Nebraska, USA
Address: Rock Creek, United States
Address: Smith Falls, Valentine, NE 69221, USA
Address: Two Rivers State Recreation Rd, Waterloo, NE 68069, USA
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As a lifelong Nebraskan, Delana loves discovering the many hidden treasures of her state. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2007. Delana's work has been featured on more than a dozen websites and in Nebraska Life Magazine.
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