5 Places for a Fall Hike near Lincoln, NE

Hiking in the fall is the best: fewer bugs, cooler temps and gorgeous fall colors!

Schramm Park State Recreation Area is only 45 minutes from central Lincoln with short hiking loops and beautiful spots for a picnic. Schramm also has the Aksarben Aquarium which is a great education center (that is Nebraska backwards for those not from here). You take I-80 North and then get off on NE-31. It is a perfect spot for a short day hike, picnic and fun. Schramm has a figure 8 loop that is three miles in length but you can do one part of the loop for a little over a one-mile hike. I would suggest good walking shoes, the trails are pretty bumpy and covered in tree roots. It would be much easier to backpack in a young child but you can do it with a stroller. Our goal is always to get to the suspension bridge and have a break and snack. The trails are winding up and down and you feel like you're in a Grimms Fairy Tale. 

Platte River State Park offers hiking for everyone in the family-even your four legged ones! Platte River State Park is Northeast on 1-80E. Instead of turning left to go to Mahoney State Park, you turn right and go to less visited but not less beautiful Platte River State Park. It is $6 for a day pass. We follow the road to the waterfall trail and it so lovely. The trails are well worn and you could easily bring a stroller, the trees are mature and with the river running, it is a serene place (even with screaming kids). You can walk on trails next to the river or through the river. Nebraska Game and Parks recently added an ENORMOUS playground at Platte River as well. I can't even begin to describe how big this playground is; there are multiple levels of it going on and on and on. It is a wonderful day when we head to Platte River!

The drive to Indian Cave State Park is beautiful and once you are in the park you can hike, walk or drive through the gorgeous scenery.  We walked for miles on the trails. There is still construction on the boardwalk and it is expected to be completed in the spring of 2022. Indian Cave State Park also has a historic town that you can explore; my kids really liked doing this. One aspect of Indian Cave State Park that I was amazed by were the sweeping views of the mighty Missouri River. It is a 1.5 hour drive to Indian Cave State Park you will need a park permit.

When my husband suggested that we go hiking at Pawnee State Recreation Area earlier this month I thought, "What is he talking about? That is a lake; there aren't hiking trails." Well, I was quickly proven wrong (I admit it).  Pawnee State Recreation Area is about 25 minutes West of Lincoln. You need a state permit to enter; you can buy a day pass or an annual pass. Pawnee State Recreation Area has a 7.5 mile loop that goes around the entire lake. It is a moderate trail-not a lot of elevation change-just a long hike. Some of the trail is on the road, some of it is mowed grass, some is a wood-chipped trail and some you have to figure out for yourself. It is a true adventure! We only did about 1.5 miles and then turned back. It isn't crowded here and we enjoyed ending our day at the peaceful lake.

Twice a year we go to Arbor Day Farm to spend the day outside-hiking, climbing, exploring and just being outside. We like to go in the fall and the spring to see how the trees change with the seasons. Arbor Day Farm offers hiking, exploring and Treetop Village. What is Treetop Village? It is a series of suspended bridges between 11 tree houses. You are in the tree canopy or above it. Some of the bridges are straight walkways, some have levels and some are snake-shaped. It is accessible for all ages and abilities so your four year old won't have to watch from the ground as the rest of you have a good time. I saw one mom pushing a stroller through it (I was impressed!) and there was a spritely grandpa walking along with his grand-kids (equally impressive). The best part? You can go through it again and again and again and again. Admission to it is included in your price.