Hiking Trails in Spring: 13 Best Places to Hike Near Omaha, Ne + Tips You Need to Stay Safe

It’s still a bit cold outside but creating a go-to list of hiking trails in spring prepares you for the warmer days to come. With our nature-based daycare, we made it a point to visit as many trails as possible. Here I’ve listed 13 of those trails! Some are right within the city of Omaha. A few are on the outskirts. And a couple of them are just across the river. All are within 20-40 minutes of driving from the center of Omaha, Nebraska. 

In addition to the list of hiking trails for spring, I’ve included a few safety tips specific to hiking in the spring.  You’ll also want to grab your state park pass so that you can visit the trails as often as you like. Now grab a mug of tea or coffee and select a few trails for your spring hiking.

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Safety Tips for Hiking Trails in Spring

Before we hop on the trails, let’s do a quick safety check! For the most part, the trails listed below are rather short. We’re talking for a couple of hours. (If you’re looking for a longer trail, head up to Norfolk and hike the 190-plus miles of the Cowboy Trail to Valentine!) So, if an accident were to occur, you’re pretty nestled in these smaller parks with help close by. That being said, there are still a few safety matters to keep in mind. 

Mud on Hiking Trails in Spring

Even though we’ve been in a drought for some time now, we still need to consider mud on the trails, especially in the spring once the ground thaws. If it’s early spring, you’ll be lucky to hike the frozen trails. In fact, hiking earlier in the morning might guarantee a firmer trail. But once the thaw starts, it’s important to remember of few things. 

First of all, check the social media sites for your proposed hike to see if park rangers are asking hikers to avoid the trails. Second, plan to either hike a longer time frame or a shorter distance since hiking in the mud is a slow go. Now, make sure you’re wearing proper footwear especially, but also water-resistant gear that can handle a fall in the mud. Losing your shoe in the mud is definitely not a hiking highlight. Next, carry trekking poles. Our day packs have loops just for these.

Also, remember those mud-friendly clothes? They’ll come in handy for this next tip: hike through the mud, not around it. Hiking around the mud widens the trails and increases erosion. And since you’ll be hiking through and getting real cozy like with the mud, the last tip is to plan for post-hike. Have plastic sheets or bags ready in your trunk or cargo to take your muddy gear home. 

Temperature Changes When Hiking Trails in Spring

I know this can’t be said for every region, but here in the midwest we can see drastic temperature changes where the highs and lows can swing around 50 degrees or so. This is especially true in the spring. What does this mean for you as a hiker? Layers. Layers and keeping a good eye on the weather channel or app.

So many people look at the high for the day and head out to the trail unprepared. Yah, it’ll be 50 degrees at 3 pm, but right now it’s 23 (not including the windchill). Or vice versa, as the sun goes down. Plan your layers and a way to carry the layers you shed (or add) throughout your hike. Choose easy-to-fold and compress layers and make space for them in your hiking bag.

Conversely, people forget the ice is thinning as the season progresses into warmer temps. Keep in mind that the body can handle about 3 minutes in icy water. So choose your landscape wisely. For the chilly mornings, choose the prairie grass hikes where the sun can reach you. If it’s windier, choose hikes with lots of windbreaks or valleys. As the day heats up, pick woody shaded areas to hike.

As I mentioned above, it’s not likely you’ll spend more than a few hours on the spring hiking trails, but wear or pack your layers with the mindset of being prepared for an emergency or being out on the trail longer than you expected. 

Animals Near the Hiking Trails in Spring

While none of the trails listed here are on the list of top parks to watch wildlife in Nebraska (another great list, by the way), there are a few animals to watch out for on the trail. And when I say “watch out for”, I mean three things: bring your binoculars, respect the wildlife, and watch your step. People are seeing more migrating birds, coyotes, wildcats, beavers, muskrats, and deer to name a few. 

Spring is migration season for many animals. Bring your binoculars and be ready to catch some great photos as well. Respect the wildlife by sticking to the trails, leaving dens and nests alone, and maintaining a quiet noise level so as not to spook the animals. While it’s true most wild animals steer clear of human trails, it’s not unheard of to come across deer droppings. 

As the ground thaws, be on the lookout for a couple of less enjoyable species: ticks, stinging insects, and mosquitos. The DHHS has excellent tips for the hiking into tick season. Don’t let the insects deter you, just plan ahead. Wear the proper gear, plan to hike earlier in the day before the bugs really come out, and choose your terrain accordingly. 

Day Pack for Hiking Trails in Spring

As you’ve been reading the tips above for hiking in the spring, I imagine you’ve been making a list of items to include in your day pack. Let’s make sure you got them all:

• Trekking poles
• Mud boots or hiking boots suitable for mud
• Either extra layers or space left to shed layers
• Water
• Snacks or lunch
• Binoculars
• Nature journal
• Plastic bags for muddy gear
• Insect repellant
• Sunblock
• Spare socks
• First Aid Kit
• Extra set of clothes
• Pocket poncho

Let’s head out!

Hiking Trails in Spring

Mahoney

Mahoney, formally known as Eugene T Mahoney State Park, is a public recreation area located on the Platte River, off Interstate 80, about four miles east of Ashland, Nebraska. It spans 706 acres. We absolutely LOVE Mahoney State Park. We visit every season, sometimes twice or more per season. Our favorite attractions to this park are the foot trails, the horses, and the iris garden. But we also trekked around the lake in March and then warmed up in the Peter Kiewit lodge with a book. In the spring you can hike the foot trails where you’ll likely also glimpse a deer or two, climb the look-out tower and marvel at the greenery coming in around the river, and take in the beauty of the irises later in spring. 

Two main trails are listed for Mahoney, both being just over 2 miles long. They are relatively easy. We usually start on one and look for the foot trails. The con to these foot trails is that they are not labeled. It’s an adventure because that first go-round, you’re not 100% sure where you are going to come out. My suggestion is to set a timer for half your hiking time, hike in and return back the same way. You should be good to go until the vegetation really starts to come in. After that, it could be a bit precarious. However, what’s precarious to one is exciting to another, so you get to decide!

Chalco Hills

Chalco Hills is another park we visit at least once a month or so (we average 2-3 parks per week). It is located off 154th and Giles, surrounds Werrspan Lake, and has both cement (7.2 miles) and foot (or wood chip) trails. I would also consider this park easy, and great for young kids and the elderly. My aunts walk their trails 2-3 times per week. Our kids’ hiking group has ventured to the foot trails often. Chalco has more deer than we’ve seen in any other park! It is an NRD park (Natural Resource District) vs a state park, so you won’t need a permit to enter. When you’re done hiking, there is a natural playground, a new playground, and fishing!

Hummel

Hummel Park is located in northeast Omaha near the river. While it’s only 2.2 miles, it’s considered moderate because of the inclines, unmarked trails, and sharing space with frisbee golfers. But the trails are kept tidy and lead you to beautiful views, so it’s well worth it. There is also a tiny creek or stream that runs through the far northeast corner of the park that my kids love exploring. Just over the bridge of that creek is a tall “mountain” they would climb and slide down. Or you can follow the trail into the actual tunnel slides!

Hitchcock

Hitchcock Nature Center is a short 30-minute drive to Honey Creek, Iowa. It has both easy and moderate to more strenuous trails, beautiful views, and camping! The trails range from about 1.5 miles to 6.5 miles, are marked fairly well, and keep busy, especially on weekends. Hike to the highest point in the park and you’ll find the nature center where you can look out off the deck or take a cozy break inside their educational gallery.  Without a membership, the cost is $5 per vehicle.

Lewis and Clark Landing

Also called Lewis and Clark Monument Park and not to be confused with Lewis and Clark State Park located in Onawa, Iowa, Lewis and Clark Landing is located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, still just a short 20-30 drive from Omaha. If you’re looking for a more challenging trail, this is it! It’s not Colorado, but there are significant inclines and switchbacks, and lots of mountain bikes. It’s not for the faint of heart. Our friend was familiar with the trails and reads trail maps well, so we were lucky to take in the beautiful views offered and watch a mountain biker jump the ramps. Rest afterward at the monument looking out over the Omaha skyline.

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Neale Woods

If you appreciate well-marked trails, Neale Woods is for you! It’s located just near the river so a decent amount of hills are included. I’ll admit when we first pulled up to this park, I was a little unsure. It’s quiet and rarely do we see another soul. But after our first hike, I was hooked! Most of the trails are foot trails, not mowed or wood chips. There is some rock in places that have washed out a bit. The map is well-marked with distances so that you can plan your hike ahead of time.

To hike Neale Woods, you either have a membership to Fontenelle (listed below) or you pay the daily fee into the lockbox. The last time we visited, there was some construction going on, but as far as I know, there is still an outdoor classroom just off the parking lot where we’ve had lunch and read over our bird books. The park also has one of the nicest outdoor restrooms I’ve ever had the pleasure of using. (It’s the little things.)

Fontenelle

Because we don’t have a membership to Fontenelle, I’ll admit we don’t frequent this park. But I couldn’t leave it off the list because many others do and it tops their lists! As of this writing, the daily admission is $11 for adults and $8 for children. Or get a membership ranging from $50-70. (In my personal opinion, Omaha should have a city-wide membership that includes all the wonderful places like Fontenelle, the zoo, and the gardens to make it easier for families to keep all their memberships in one annual payment.)

But let’s get back to the perks of this park and its trails! Fontenelle has 24 miles of marked trails running through the Loess Hills, ranging from beginning to advanced (up to 1,489 feet in elevation!). During the spring they offer Full Moon Hikes, bird-watching hikes, sunset hikes, wildflower hikes, and a star gazing event.

Heron Haven

Heron Haven is a cute little park tucked into the city, located at 11809 Maple Road, that could be easily missed if not paying attention. However, it packs a great wildlife adventure once inside. Over 100 species of birds have been sited at this little wetland. Bring your binoculars and your camera for the duck blinds where you can sit and bird watch. The trails are short, and perfect for young kids and the elderly. The boardwalk has benches for resting and observing wildlife. Later in spring, when flowers are in bloom, there is a butterfly garden as well. As the weather warms, keep an eye out for turtles and frogs sunbathing on the logs. They do have an education center but call ahead as it is staffed by volunteers.

Blue Stem Prairie

We live in the neighborhood adjacent to Blue Stem Prairie or Stolley Prairie. Another gem tucked away, not too many people know about this place. It’s located at 646 N 164th St, Omaha, NE with an entrance off the West Papio trail, and many park off Blondo Street and walk in. The prairie covers 147 acres and has a wonderful array of native grasses and wildlife. We find something new every time we go.

Usually, a walking path is mowed through each season. Occasionally, the whole prairie is mowed for regrowth and to prevent invasive species from taking over. Because the prairie is a long hill slanting down to the creek, this prairie is perfect to hike in the spring before the humidity and bugs of summer arrive. It’s one of those places where if you gauge the temperature, the wind, and sun versus cloud cover just right, you’ll have a great hike. We like to identify plants and watch for hawks, eagles, deer, and coyotes. 

Tranquillity

Tranquility Trail is one that you might miss if you’re not guided there or visiting for a soccer game. Located north of a large soccer complex at 12222 W Maple Rd or near 124th and Fort Streets, Tranquility Trail is about 5.5 miles long. It’s great for mountain biking especially, but still a decent hike. Because it’s also designed for bikers, there is a good variety of terrain. You can enjoy the shade of the pine trees or bask in the sun of the prairie grasses. The trails are dirt trails though, so be sure to check the tips section above. We did a mother-daughter playdate here and loved it!

OPPD Arboretum

The Arboretum (as we refer to it) is one of our favorite places to hike! We go at least once every season, if not more. It has a little bit of everything. Located right in the heart of the city near 108th and Blondo Streets, there’s no reason you can’t pop in for a quick walk or a bit of relaxation. While the trail isn’t very long, only .8 miles, it can loop and you can make the loop multiple times for a good workout. The trail is a combination of wood chips and cement. In addition to the trail, you’ll find an outdoor classroom, labels on many of the plants and trees, a woodland section that’s great for shade, a pine tree grove (technically a windbreak) where we often eat lunch, and lots of native wildflowers and grasses. 

Schramm

Schramm Park State Recreation Area is located just outside of Omaha, off the Platte River Valley. While we’ve been going to this park for years, I’m still amazed every time to see something new. Schramm is a wonderful choice during the spring, especially for bird watchers during spring migration. The nature center is super cool. Even as an adult, I’m wowed by the fish, the microscopes, and the play area. 

The trails range from 1.4 to 3 miles (combined) in length. Some are easy peasy but there is some rougher terrain and a suspension bridge. Just drive about 6 miles south on I-80 to  21502 W. Highway 31, Gretna.

Platte River

Platte River State Park located at 14421 346th St., Louisville, NE is the farthest southern park on our list, but still only a couple miles farther than the rest. It’s the site of the often photographed mini waterfall where we go to splash and play. Many a time we’ve seen hikers just follow (or walk in) the creek from beginning to end. The main park trail loop is 6.7 miles long, so a decent morning or afternoon of hiking, birding, and don’t forget the lookout towers! Keep your eye out for mountain bikers. You can follow their trail map. It ranges from easy to very difficult. This is a state park so there is a park entry fee. You may also consider camping here and their new playground with zip-lining!

Packing It All Up

The only thing left to do is schedule the hikes! Consider joining a hiking group. We are in two homeschool hiking groups, Woven in Wild with kids ranging from toddler to elementary age, and Wild + Free Loess Hills where we typically hike closer to the river. They make hiking so much fun! It’s nature time, mom time, friends time, and exercise time. Good all around. 

Look through the list of hiking trails in spring again. Find a few that fit your schedule, your level of hiking, and your gear selection. Start at beginner levels and work your way up through the season. You’re sure to have a blast, make great memories, learn a lot, and get in some much-needed time with nature and fitness! Happy trails!