Best Lakes and Trails to Explore Near Omaha, Nebraska

7/29/2023

I did a poll on Instagram of what you guys wanted to see and you picked 'Lakes & Trails!' Am I surprised? No. So, I collected my favorite lakes and trails near Omaha and wrapped them up in a guide for ya. Let's jump into the list!

favorite for fishing: two rivers state park

Two Rivers is a beautiful state park right outside of Omaha! They have the perfect shelters for fishing along the water line and a swimming beach. This park includes seven lakes and are known for their caboose train cars you can stay the night in! A daily pass for Nebraska residents is $7. We especially enjoy this park because it's a short drive from Omaha and I rarely see it crowded!

favorite trail:
twin creek trailhead

I love making it out to Mahoney & Platte River State Park, but sometimes I don't want to drive 20 minutes out of town. Twin Creek Trailhead is one of my favorite trails in Omaha! It is extremely safe, close to the Bellevue Berry Farm, and is super charming nestled against Papillion Creek.

This is trail reminds me of my small little hometown. While walking, you will see rolling hills, cornfields, steel rail bridges, and a glimpse of Bellevue. There are multiple spots to park along the trail, but the main parking lot is behind Culver's on 36th & Raynor Parkway. You could spend hours walking this trail, plus there are gorgeous neighborhoods nearby you can wander off to.

favorite for walking:
lake zorinsky

I love a good sunset at Lake Zorinsky. The trail is close to the water and it's located in West Omaha, so I feel comfortable walking solo! This is another great option if you're looking for an evening walk, but not wanting to travel far. Zorinsky has a pool & splash pad too! Prices are pretty affordable, 3-17 year old's are $5 and $6 for adults. I'd like to take my son, Trax, sometime. The pool looks fun and relaxing!

favorite park: lake manawa

Lake Manawa's Dream Land Park is probably one of Trax's favorite parks. Lately, he's been saying "let's go to the big park!" He means Manawa. It is magical, extra clean, and full of fun things to play with. The park is primarily made out of wood and that makes it feel even more like a fairytale book!

There is seating all around the park and it is fairly enclosed, so it's not easy for the little ones to run off. This park is adjacent to the beach access at Manawa. The daily park entry fee is only required for non residents of Iowa, which is $5!

TIP: I would not visit Lake Manawa for walking, we didn't seem to find many trails around the lake. I have swam here before, but not recently. I've seen a couple mamas post about reactions their kids are having after swimming in the water. So, please be careful and keep an eye on toxin levels before swimming in this lake!

great lake for laying out:
cunningham

Lake Cunningham is a pretty lake northwest of Omaha. It is the perfect lake for laying out and for kayaking! Swimming is not allowed here, but that doesn't affect this gem of a place. Kayaks can be rented for $25 for two hours, which would be the cutest weekend date idea ever. They also rent out paddle boards and offer water yoga classes. Their rental shop recommends booking your boat rental 24-48 hours in advance.

I would recommend going with a friend, just to be safe. Recently, someone's car was stolen here, so please keep that in mind! However, I didn't feel unsafe or uncomfortable when I went a couple summers ago.

Rent a kayak or board - https://neighborhoodoffshore.com/rentals

favorite lake for swimming: louisville recreation area

Louisville State Recreation Area is the essence of summer. They have an inflatable obstacle course, swimming beach, fishing, kayak rentals, and a snack shack! We love to grab sandwiches at the grocery store and enjoy lunch on the beach here. There's picnic tables available and I always feel super safe at this park!

favorite lake for swimming:
branched oak

My favorite swimming beach near Lincoln is Branched Oak! They have an awesome spacious sand beach and it's pretty clean. My friends and I have been swimming here since college! We love spending the day here and it's not a bad deal to get in. $6 daily permit for residents of Nebraska and $12 for out-of-state vehicles.

TIP: Get the Country Fried Steak at Ding-A-Ling Bar & Grill in Raymond after a long day of swimming. They have some killer food. This place is just a short drive from the lake too!

best park for a chill summer night: platte river state park

I visited Platte River State Park a lot when I was in college. It was so fun to climb their lookout tower, get some sun on the dock, and see the Platte River at sunset. Their also known for their waterfall, splash zone, and hiking trails lined with beautiful trees!

Daily permits are $6 and non-resident of Nebraska are $12 again. They have teepees to sleep in, cabins, and glamping cabins that range from $20 per night - $185. I would love to spend an entire weekend here sometime to explore every part of the park, because I know I have not seen it all!

I totally thought I'd write this post in like two hours...I was wrong. It took me multiple weekends, lol. I just kept finding little gems in my photo gallery! I hope this guide helps you plan a memorable summer! Now, I better go, Trax is pointing at the Manawa park saying, "Go after nap?" Told you it's cool!

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