As temperatures in Nebraska start to cool, it’s the perfect time to get out and enjoy nature on a hike. The Cornhusker State has plenty of beautiful trails, so what are you waiting for? Lace up your hiking boots and get out there!
- Smith Falls State Park
Nora O./Trip Advisor
Susana Creek/Trip Advisor This short, easy hike is accessible to anyone. Cross the old Verdigre bridge, cross a pretty, green meadow and complete your little hike at the 70-foot Smith Falls. If you’re still up for more hiking, continue along the nature trail for another mile; it follows along the beautiful Niobrara River.
- Olson Nature Preserve
LoperGrad/Wikimedia
LoperGrad/Wikimedia This 112-acre preserve was donated by Grant and Bernice Olson and is one of Nebraska’s hidden gems. Meander along on of the trails to see hardwood forest and wetlands. Beaver Creek is the perfect spot for wading on a hot, summer day.
- Willow Creek State Park, Pierce
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission/YouTube Take the eight-mile hike around the lake at Willow Creek State Recreation Area. The path is nice and flat and you’ll see plenty of wildlife along the way.
- Arbor Day Farm Treehouse Trail
Arbor Day Farm/Facebook This family-friendly little trail is the perfect way to get your gets outdoors for some summer fun! The nature trail is paved and includes tons of interactive displays.
- Fontenelle Forest Trails
Fontenelle Forest/Facebook
Christine Warner Hawks/flickr Fontenelle Forest offers several hiking trails. From the Riverview Boardwalk, which is handicapped-accessible, to the more challenging Ridge Top Oak Trail, there’s a hike for everyone in this gorgeous place.
- Saddle Rock Trail, Scotts Bluff National Monument
Jubilee Jerry/Trip Advisor
Georgeann88/TripAdvisor The Saddle Rock Trail at Scotts Bluff National Monument is strenuous, but well worth the effort. The 1.6-mile trail (one way) climbs 453 feet and rewards hikers with these views from the top.
- Antelope Valley Trail, Lincoln
RLEVANS/flickr For some fun city hiking, take this trail from the University of Nebraska to Lincoln High School. The wide, paved trail is perfect for a leisurely walk or a fast-paced hike - your choice. The trail is 2.1 miles long.
- Field Club Trail, Omaha
Lianna N./Yelp For more city hiking, take the 1.8-mile Field Club Trail in Omaha. This pretty, shaded pathway was once a rail line, and it’s 30 feet below grade, so it feels secluded and offers some peaceful quiet.
- Nature Trail, Platte River State Park
DeannaHA/Trip Advisor
DeannaHA/Trip Advisor Spend a day exploring the nature trail at Platte River State Park. It’s shady and level. Take your binoculars - this is a popular trail for birdwatching.
- Buffalo Trail
flickr/Nick Varvel This incomparably beautiful hike takes you from Hudson-Meng Bison Bonebed to Toadstool Geologic Park - or the other way around. In 2015 USA Today named it one of the best trails in the US for a spring hike…but you should definitely try it at other times of the year, too. You can read more about the trail here.
- Cowboy Trail
flickr/Ken Ratcliff Although the Rails-to-Trails project currently runs 195 miles between Valentine and Norfolk, you don’t have to hike the entire distance. Just hop on or off at your leisure and take in some of the beautiful sights along the way.
For more summer fun, check out these 14 Nebraska lakes, too!
Nora O./Trip Advisor
Susana Creek/Trip Advisor
This short, easy hike is accessible to anyone. Cross the old Verdigre bridge, cross a pretty, green meadow and complete your little hike at the 70-foot Smith Falls. If you’re still up for more hiking, continue along the nature trail for another mile; it follows along the beautiful Niobrara River.
LoperGrad/Wikimedia
This 112-acre preserve was donated by Grant and Bernice Olson and is one of Nebraska’s hidden gems. Meander along on of the trails to see hardwood forest and wetlands. Beaver Creek is the perfect spot for wading on a hot, summer day.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission/YouTube
Take the eight-mile hike around the lake at Willow Creek State Recreation Area. The path is nice and flat and you’ll see plenty of wildlife along the way.
Arbor Day Farm/Facebook
This family-friendly little trail is the perfect way to get your gets outdoors for some summer fun! The nature trail is paved and includes tons of interactive displays.
Fontenelle Forest/Facebook
Christine Warner Hawks/flickr
Fontenelle Forest offers several hiking trails. From the Riverview Boardwalk, which is handicapped-accessible, to the more challenging Ridge Top Oak Trail, there’s a hike for everyone in this gorgeous place.
Jubilee Jerry/Trip Advisor
Georgeann88/TripAdvisor
The Saddle Rock Trail at Scotts Bluff National Monument is strenuous, but well worth the effort. The 1.6-mile trail (one way) climbs 453 feet and rewards hikers with these views from the top.
RLEVANS/flickr
For some fun city hiking, take this trail from the University of Nebraska to Lincoln High School. The wide, paved trail is perfect for a leisurely walk or a fast-paced hike - your choice. The trail is 2.1 miles long.
Lianna N./Yelp
For more city hiking, take the 1.8-mile Field Club Trail in Omaha. This pretty, shaded pathway was once a rail line, and it’s 30 feet below grade, so it feels secluded and offers some peaceful quiet.
DeannaHA/Trip Advisor
Spend a day exploring the nature trail at Platte River State Park. It’s shady and level. Take your binoculars - this is a popular trail for birdwatching.
flickr/Nick Varvel
This incomparably beautiful hike takes you from Hudson-Meng Bison Bonebed to Toadstool Geologic Park - or the other way around. In 2015 USA Today named it one of the best trails in the US for a spring hike…but you should definitely try it at other times of the year, too. You can read more about the trail here.
flickr/Ken Ratcliff
Although the Rails-to-Trails project currently runs 195 miles between Valentine and Norfolk, you don’t have to hike the entire distance. Just hop on or off at your leisure and take in some of the beautiful sights along the way.
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