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Running trails in Nebraska
116 trails across 22 cities in Nebraska, with the most in Omaha, Lincoln, and Bellevue — including 26 paved, 8 loops, 18 shaded, and 1 long enough for a 5-mile run. Every listing shows the things runners actually decide on: surface, loop distance, shade, lighting, restrooms, water and trailhead parking. Pick a city for the full local list, or filter the Nebraska trails below.
Cities in Nebraska
Every city and town in Nebraska with a running trail in the directory, most trails first.
Notable running trails in Nebraska
The Nebraska trails runners review most, ranked by rating weighted by review volume. Filter by surface, loop, distance, shade or lighting to narrow to the run you're actually planning. See the full best-of-Nebraska ranking →
Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.
4.8 ★★★★★ 5,106 reviews
Open to pedestrians & cyclists, this modern bridge crosses the Missouri River & connects 2 states.
Platte River State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,271 reviews
Protected forestland offering outdoor activities plus seasonal accommodations in cabins and tepees.
Holmes Lake Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,242 reviews
Lakeside park comprising open space & walking paths, plus a public golf course & an observatory.
Pioneers Park Nature Center
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,171 reviews
Prairie, forest & wetlands covering 668 acres for environmental education & animal preservation.
Chalco Hills Recreation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,132 reviews
An ecological education center, a lake for fishing & boating, plus trails for hikers & joggers.
Cody Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,661 reviews
Park featuring seasonal concessions, an animal enclosure, a train display, sports facilities & more.
Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,558 reviews
Large riverfront plaza featuring Lewis & Clark exhibits plus a trail & marina.
Fontenelle Forest
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,482 reviews
Natural area's hub with a museum, raptor rehabilitation, kids’ classes & indoor playground.
Standing Bear Lake
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,526 reviews
Huge park with walking trails & a large lake for boating & fishing, plus ice-skating in wintertime.
Yanney Heritage Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,274 reviews
This large recreation area offers a lake with boat rentals, trails, a lookout tower & play areas.
OPPD Arboretum
4.7 ★★★★★ 886 reviews
Park with trails, gazebo, waterfall, and labeled trees, plus power-line education.
Zorinsky Lake Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 802 reviews
Lake park featuring fishing, a playground, athletic fields, a picnic area, shelters & more.
Mahoney Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 790 reviews
77-acre green space featuring a golf course, sports courts & fields, a playground & hiking trails.
Ta-Ha-Zouka Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 803 reviews
Park offering facilities for softball, sand volleyball, horseshoes & disc golf, plus a playground.
Harmon Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 725 reviews
Gathering spot for community events with sports facilities, a pool, fountain & inclusive playground.
City of Norfolk
4.7 ★★★★★ 715 reviews
Fishing & non-motorized boating are allowed on the lake in this massive park, dedicated in 1971.
Stolley Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 728 reviews
Relaxed outdoor space offering playgrounds and a train ride, plus disc golf.
Holmes Lake Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 700 reviews
Lakefront park featuring walking and bike trails, beach volleyball and fishing spots.
Cottonmill Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 649 reviews
Relaxed picnic spot with a swimming lake, a disc golf course and animal barns: kids and dogs welcome.
Pawnee Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 672 reviews
Popular park featuring basketball, volleyball and skate-park courts, plus an area for picnicking.
Hummel Park Nature Center
4.5 ★★★★★ 529 reviews
This small park has an indoor event facility & hosts nature classes & summer day camps for children.
Heartwell Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 478 reviews
Park with a playground, picnic tables, fishing, and a walking trail, plus a public restroom.
Ralston Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 487 reviews
Public park with a children's playground, picnic tables, and athletic facilities such as a baseball field.
Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 445 reviews
Hiking trails, a visitor center, picnic tables, and shooting range are offered at this park with bird-watching opportunities.
Cimarron Splash Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 417 reviews
Neighborhood hangout with playgrounds, a kiddie pool and a splash zone.
Heron Haven Nature Center
4.7 ★★★★★ 393 reviews
Wildlife reserve featuring boardwalks and a butterfly garden.
Crystal Cove Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 394 reviews
This 60-acre park features a lake, biking & hiking trails, an 18-hole disc-golf course & more.
Riverside Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 384 reviews
Large park featuring walking trails, a playground, a campground and a small zoo.
Haworth Park
4.1 ★★★★☆ 416 reviews
1929 city park with flower beds, mature ornamental trees & extensive lawned space.
No trails match those filters.
Nebraska trails by surface
Surface is the biggest split in trail running — asphalt is fast and predictable, crushed limestone is softer but still smooth, dirt is easiest on the joints and the most fun, boardwalk is flat and scenic but slick when wet.
More ways to find a trail in Nebraska
- Best running trails in Nebraska — the state-wide ranking from runner reviews
- Loop trails — 8 in Nebraska come back to the trailhead without backtracking
- Long-run trails (5+ miles) — 1 in Nebraska are long enough for a proper long run
- Shaded trails — 18 in Nebraska keep tree cover over the path for summer miles
- Lit trails — 10 in Nebraska have lighting for pre-dawn and post-work runs
- Trails with restrooms — 53 in Nebraska, and 18 with water fountains
- Trailhead parking — 29 in Nebraska have parking at the trailhead
- Dog-friendly trails — 27 in Nebraska you can run with a dog
- Stroller & wheelchair-accessible — 19 in Nebraska are smooth and wide enough
- Scenic trails — 56 in Nebraska runners single out for the views
- Browse by surface — paved, crushed limestone, natural dirt or boardwalk
- All trail features — loops, shade, lighting, restrooms, mile markers and more
- Running trails by state — the rest of the country
- Trail-running guides — surfaces and your knees, loop vs out-and-back, trail etiquette, running before dawn
Trail features in Nebraska
- Scenic Running Trails
- Trails with Restrooms
- Trails with Trailhead Parking
- Dog-Friendly Running Trails
- Quiet, Uncrowded Trails
- Stroller & Wheelchair-Accessible Trails
- Shaded Running Trails
- Trails with Water Fountains
- Lit Trails for Early & Night Runs
- Hilly Trails & Hill Workouts
- Loop Trails (No Backtracking)
- Flat & Fast Running Trails
- Trails with Mile Markers