As the leaves begin to change and the weather gets cooler, you may find yourself wanting to get outside to enjoy the beauty of nature. These hiking spots, trails, and preserves are great spots to visit this autumn to enjoy the golden, orange, and yellow leaves and breathe in the crisp fresh air.
Fontenelle Forest
Where? 1111 Bellevue Boulevard North
When you want to fully immerse yourself in the stunning golden hues found in the autumn as leaves begin to change, head on over to Fontenelle Forest. With over 1,500 acres to explore and 17 miles of maintained trails, you’ll have your pick of how you want to adventure. This is the perfect escape from the bustle of the city and is the perfect option for nature lovers of all ages and abilities who want to enjoy autumn. During the fall, some of the best activities in the forest include hiking, enjoying the views from the one-mile Riverview Boardwalk, and viewing the birds at the Raptor Woodland Refuge treetop exhibit. At the exhibit, you can observe birds of prey in their natural environment. Fontenelle Forest also has a Nature Center, where you can check out exhibits, various speaker series, and educational programs throughout the year. Check the calendar for activities such as stargazing, yoga in the forest, sunset hikes, and more!
Neale Woods Nature Reserve
Where? 14323 Edith Marie Avenue
The Neale Woods Nature Reserve is located in North Omaha and spans an impressive 560 acres. There is abundant animal life that can be found in the area, especially when you hike earlier in the morning or later in the evening before sunset. Trails in Neale Woods are open year-round. There are regularly scheduled astronomy nights held from September through May, so you can add that to your fall bucket list! When hiking in Neale Woods, you must stay on the designated trails so as not to disturb wildlife or damage the plants. Pets are not allowed on the trail for similar reasons. All trash should be carried out with you, so as to leave the wilderness intact and beautiful for the next visitors.
Hitchcock Nature Center
Where? 27792 Ski Hill Loop
Located in nearby Honey Creek, IA — the Hitchcock Nature Center should be on your autumn hiking trail list. You can enjoy prime views at the center, as well as a wide variety of bird life. The area is often cited as being one of the top bird-watching spots in North America! Take a walk up to the observation tower for 360 views. There are nearly 1,500 acres of publicly available prairie, savanna, and woodlands that offer abundant opportunities for recreational fun. The trails around the nature center are not open to bikes, horses, or ATVs — so pedestrians will enjoy having the natural, serene atmosphere all to themselves. As fall turns into winter, you can enjoy snowshoeing in the park in lieu of hiking! Park admission is set at $5 per vehicle, which is payable with an exact change or a check at the park gate. As of August 2024, the boardwalk is closed until further notice.
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
Where? 28500 West Park Highway
Eugene T. Mahoney is conveniently located between Lincoln and Omaha, making this a solid day trip contender for a crisp fall day. The state park is beautiful year-round, though during the autumn season, it particularly shines. Spend the afternoon exploring the hiking and biking trails or go on an adventure on the treetop ropes course. There is an observation tower that provides the perfect photo opportunity and in the winter, there are sledding and ice skating additions to the recreation offering. If you want to enjoy a quick fall getaway, the Peter Kiewit Lodge is the place to stay! There are 40 guest rooms and most feature balconies that offer breathtaking views of the valley and the golden hues as the leaves change with the season. The most popular hike in the park is the Lodge to Observation Tower loop trail, which traverses 2.1 miles of picturesque vantage points.
Platte River State Park
Where? 14421 346th Street
The quaint yet charming Platte River State Park is the perfect year-round excursion, though it’s especially beautiful as the fall weather starts emerging. The park hosts vintage cabins and cozy accommodations to complete your autumn escape from the city. Try out one of the new glamping cabins for a truly immersive experience. Some of the popular attractions for avid outdoor enthusiasts include the picturesque waterfall, the spray park, and an array of scenic hiking and biking trails. Try the Platte River State Park Trail Loop, which is 6.7 miles in length, with approximately 800 feet of elevation gain. There are guided trail rides hosted by the park if hiking isn’t your thing but you still want to enjoy the scenery! A park entry permit is required to visit and can be purchased on site or at one of the statewide Game and Parks offices in advance of your arrival.
Jewell Park
Where? 688-730 Combs Road
This is more of a hidden gem in Bellevue, making it the perfect escape where you can retreat to admire the fall colors and enjoy the serene ambiance of the outdoors. The Jewell Park outer loop is 1.3 miles in length, making it accessible for beginner hikers. Elevation gain is on the lower side, coming in at approximately 135 feet. In addition to hikers, you’re likely to encounter mountain bikers and runners on the trail as well. Dogs are welcome to join you for a hike but they must be kept on a leash. During the summer, the grass is lush and full and provides vivid green scenery. As the seasons change, the leaves take on different colors which can add new magic to the hike. Have your camera ready, as you may come across local wildlife that you want to snap a shot of!
Chalco Hills Recreation Area
Where? 8901 South 154th Street
Add the Wehrspann Lake Full Loop to your fall hiking bucket list near Omaha. This trail is 6 miles in length and is rated as an easy route overall. The elevation gain is 262 feet, making this a fairly accessible route for beginner hikers. Dogs are welcome to join in on the fun but they have to be kept on a leash unless otherwise designated. The trail itself is a mix of double track and small sections of single track that span the perimeter of the lake. You can spot deer in the area, as well as other native wildlife. During tick season, be aware of safety recommendations for both you and your pup. Enjoy views of the lake on this urban hike. Amenities in the area include drinking water, restrooms, handicap facilities, picnic shelters, and more.
Standing Bear Lake
Where? 6404 North 132nd Street
Standing Bear Lake is situated in northwest Omaha and is named after the Ponca leader, Chief Standing Bear. The Standing Bear Lake Loop is a popular outdoor excursion during any part of the year and is generally considered an easy route with minimal elevation gain. The length of the loop comes in at 3 miles — so you can get a solid chunk of your 10,000 steps a day by completing the trail. The area is popular with fishermen, mountain bikers, and runners. Recently, a new floating bridge was installed on the west side of the lake to make this loop complete without forcing pedestrians onto the road. The majority of the trail is labeled as the most gentle grade category of 5% or less and the steepest sections are found at 0.8, 1.5, and 2.6 miles when hiking clockwise.
Zorinsky Lake Trail
Where? 3745 South 168th Street
This 7.5-mile path is a great way to get outdoors any time of the year but views are extra spectacular during the autumn months. The trail provides hikers with a pleasant excursion in western Omaha and encircles a 250-acre lake. There are options to shorten the loop as well, so don’t feel like you have to commit to the entire 7+ mile route. Parking can be located on the east side of the trail near the Zorinsky Lake boat ramp and off of South 168th Street on the north side of the lake. Reviews mention seeing many deer during the winter and the summer, as well as coyotes, eagles, bull snakes, and waterfowl. Whatever season you enjoy this trail during, keep your eyes peeled! The park is for day use only.
Tranquility Park
Where? 12222 West Maple Road
The aptly named Tranquility Trail in Omaha’s Tranquility Park traverses 5.6 miles and nearly 400 feet of elevation gain. The trail is fashioned into a loop, so you don’t have to worry about getting several miles out and having to come back the exact same way. For most hikers, the entire path takes around 2 hours to complete, making it a great morning or afternoon activity. Dogs are allowed on the trail but they must be on a leash. Aside from the hiking opportunities, the park is also home to a public soccer complex — featuring 17 fields. The city will invest $54 million into the complex over the coming years to create a premier youth multi-sport complex and tournament facility and improved parking and concession options. In the meantime, enjoy the loop trail and watch as the progress unfolds!
OPPD Arboretum
Where? 10600 Blondo Street
Soak in your color-splashed surroundings at this outdoor educational area. You’ll have the chance to admire trees, shrubbery, and various arboretum features such as the substation overlook, the electrical safety education area, and the formal planting area. This is a great weekend activity for families and kiddos will especially enjoy the outdoor classroom area after sitting at a desk all week. The arboretum is open to the public from dawn until dusk and provides resources for visitors of all ages. Whether you have strollers in tow or a wheelchair user, the area is accessible and allows everyone to enjoy a taste of the outdoors without trying to plan an extensive wilderness hike to enjoy the fall weather.
Wabash Trace Nature Trail
Where? 4102 Harry Langdon Boulevard
You’ll have plenty of terrain to explore on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail, which consists of 63 miles and over 70 bridges through the beautiful Southwest Iowa countryside. From the north end of the trail, you’ll get views of the Loess Hills that were formed over 14,000 years ago and soar to heights of 200-300 feet. Whether you choose to hit the trail on foot or on two wheels, you’re likely to come across other recreation enthusiasts along the way. If you enjoy birdwatching, make sure to bring binoculars because there are plenty of species to spot throughout the year. Fall is a great time to hike this trail, as the weather is cool and comfortable and you can spend more time exploring trail towns, taking photos and even viewing a few working farms up close! Hop on the trail at the Iowa West Foundation Trailhead Park in Council Bluffs and see where the path takes you.
Get Outdoors and Enjoy All the Beauty that Autumn has to Offer!
Before the weather gets too chilly to hike, take advantage of cooler temperatures this fall. Enjoy the stunning colors of autumn as you explore nature and get some outdoor exercise. You may even find that your favorite summer trail is even more stunning in the fall!