Park It!

Nebraska Outdoor Education Center Lincoln, NE

This family-friendly spot offers archery with instruction for all ages, as well as educational programming. From late May through July, kids can explore the natural world and learn new skills at the popular day camps.

There are so many great Nebraska State Parks in and around Lincoln — here are a few of our favorite, offthe-beaten path places to explore, now that winter’s on the wing and plants and animals have so much life to show!

Schramm Park State Recreation Area Gretna, NE

This park is a hidden gem, offering beautiful, wooded hiking trails, great birdwatching, a geologic display, picnicking and a modern playground. Don’t forget to visit the state-of-the-art Schramm Education Center, which teaches visitors about Nebraska’s ecosystems through interactive exhibits.

Conestoga State Recreation Area

Denton, NE

A popular getaway for Lincolnites, Conestoga offers boating, picnicking, biking, and RV and primitive camping. The lake, which was restocked in 2018 following an improvement project, offers keeper-sized largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish and walleye.

Platte River State Park Louisville, NE

Kids can enjoy exploring the trails, the park’s picturesque waterfall, a spray park, two observation towers and Crawdad Creek, which allows kids to get muddy and catch minnows, tadpoles, crawdads and frogs. Grab a bite to eat at the park restaurant and stay the night in a modern cabin.

Bluestem State Recreation Area Martell, NE

This 742-acre area has great spots for picnicking and camping, as well as a lake, making it a perfect place for a closeto-home getaway. Bluestem also has good fishing opportunities and an archery range where both new and experienced archers can practice their skills.