4 Great Places to Go Hiking Around Omaha

Hiking Around Omaha
I love getting the family out of the house and into nature. Nebraska has many fun spots for kids to explore. Here are my top four favorite spots to go for a hike around Omaha.

4 favorite hiking spots in Omaha

Fontenelle Forest

This is my favorite hiking spot in Omaha is. They offer amazing programs for kids and adults. We especially love mud-pies, which I’d describe as an open Montessori style learning environment for kids (and their parents) 0-6! If it’s a rainy day, you can play inside at habitat hollow or enjoy the different seasons outside on a hike while looking for wild turkeys and visiting the different birds of prey in the raptor refuge. There is a 3 mile ADA accessible (stroller friendly) boardwalk that takes you in a big loop to look out over the Missouri River and a nice view of the downtown skyline. There are also miles and miles of dirt trails ranging from beginner to expert.

Neale Woods

This is Fontenelle Forest’s counterpart to the north. It has breathtaking views of downtown and a more rugged feel. The trails are not quite as easy, but the untouched beauty of Neale Woods is worth the trip. You can also walk right alongside the Missouri River through the floodplain.

Some of the trails are bit on the more difficult side, but the untouched beauty of Neale Woods is worth the trip and there are plenty of level trails to explore. Part of the forest was cleared to make way for prairie restoration, which is a fun little bit of Midwest history for kids to see and learn about in person.

best hiking spot around omaha

Hitchcock Nature Center

The visitors center has a fun kids’ corner with books and interactive exhibits. It’s also one of the top 20 bird watching spots in all of North America! We like to walk up the observation tower when the birdwatchers are there keeping count. They’ll tell you about the dozens of different kinds of birds that have passed through on their migration that day. And the view is nothing short of spectacular. Hitchcock is at a particularly wonderful elevation to get a wide view for miles and miles. It is a bit of a windy drive, but there’s an adorable spot to grab lunch (Henry’s dinner) along the way!

Mahoney State Park

This park features so many amazing activities. But if you strip away the disc golf, fishing, basketball courts, sand volleyball, it’s actually a really awesome place to just walk around and be in nature. Because it’s right along the Platte River, it’s a great spot to watch for bald eagles and see their massive nests and other water-loving birds. Plus, the trails are easy enough for little hikers!

Bonus: You can also visit the Strategic Air and Space Museum or The Wildlife Safari Park (one of our favorite spots) before heading home!

<<Related content: Check out 3 more hiking trails around Omaha. >>

What are your favorite hiking spots around Omaha?

Catherine
Catherine is a stay at home mom to Henry (2015) and wife to Alex. In her spare time (yeah, right!) Catherine enjoys gardening, decorating, and reading. In her LBC (Life Before Child) Catherine was a TV Reporter. Originally from Chicago, Catherine and family are happy to call Omaha home. They live in West-O with their Maltese, Austin.