Home › Nebraska › Papillion › Big Elk Lake
Big Elk Lake
4.6 ★★★★★ 28 Google reviews · Running trail in Papillion, Nebraska · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Big Elk Lake's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Big Elk Lake
Some of the trails around its future park/lake are already useable and signed. I won't say it's actually open but there aren't any barriers and there doesn't seem to be any open parking yet.
One of the newest man-made lakes used for flood control. The paved walk around the main part of the lake is about 1 mile and although the access road from Cornhusker is gravel, all other paths and the parking lot are paved.
Very nice park. The entrance road is gravel, which is surprising since everything else is paved. There is less than 2 miles of walkway (including a spur). It is next to a subdivision.
Trail conditions & character
“The paved walk around the main part of the lake is about 1 mile and although the access road from Cornhusker is gravel, all other paths and the parking lot are paved.”
“Looks like there will either be lots of picnic shelters or accessible fishing spots branching off the trails and a boat launch ramp.”
“The paved walk around the main part of the lake is about 1 mile and although the access road from Cornhusker is gravel, all other paths and the parking lot are paved.”
Plan your run at Big Elk Lake
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–10 PM |
Running trails near Papillion
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Val Verde Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 17 reviews
Portal Recreation Area
4.3 ★★★★☆ 19 reviews
West Papio Trail Giles Avenue Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 45 reviews
Area featuring a wide, smooth trail for hiking, biking, and skateboarding.
West Papio Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 3 reviews
Schwer Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 271 reviews
Well-maintained park featuring a splash pad, a playground and walking trails, plus a playground, fountain, lake, pond, swings and picnic tables.
Walnut Creek Leash Free Dog Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 265 reviews
Locally popular fenced-in park featuring a pond and a lake where dogs can swim, plus trails for walking your pup.