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    Big Lake State Park

    4.5 (2 reviews)

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    Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

    Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

    4.5(18 reviews)
    5.0 mi

    To Everyone reading - This location should definitely receive more love and appreciation for its…read morebeautiful views! After living for 8 years in Kansas City, this was the year I actually got to know about it and I had to immediately visit. Loess Bluff National Wildlife Refuge has a 10-mile one-way auto route to see the stunning views from different angles, which is absolutely breathtaking. There are also sections for viewing eagles, then snow geese, and many more spots along the way. The refuge area is well kept and very peaceful. The auto loop is really useful because hiking the whole area would honestly take a very long time, so the loop sections make it easy and educational to explore. The stops are clearly marked and there are many pit stops where people can take photos or simply enjoy the wildlife. I was very lucky to see thousands of snow geese along with one bald eagle. I also saw white swans, ducks, and our regular city geese just chilling out there haha. March is the main time to see migratory snow geese. I have also heard that from December to January there is a bald eagle season where people can see thousands in a day only if you are lucky and I honestly can't wait to revisit... Overall, I loved how calm the drive felt with the open land and skies, and so many different types of birds. Whether you are a birdwatcher or not, you will definitely enjoy this place. Amazing spot to just relax and unwind. Note: Bring food and water since the loop takes some time to complete if you stop at each section to enjoy the views. Also bring binoculars or a zoom lens camera if you want to see the birds up close.

    I'm going to be real and say my review for this is quite incomplete, but I still want to put…read moresomething out there. I was taking work calls as I cruised down the highway and decided to venture over here to see what it was all about, and hopefully see an eagle or two. So the reason I say it's incomplete is I was on that work call and didn't really stop, get out, get the lay of the land, or even know what I was looking at. I sort of just started driving where the road led me and did a big loop around the lake. I saw swans, and some massive gaggle of smaller white birds, but can't say what they were. It was nice, although sometimes I got stuck behind someone going 1 mph. Next time I will be a bit more intentional and read up on it, hike a bit, and be more single-minded. It's definitely a cool spot and I know the migratory birds often set up here late in the winter, so that would be a fun time to get out and see it.

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    Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge
    Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge
    Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

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    Arbor Lodge State Historical Park - Porter's restaurant on site.the brisket is to die for.

    Arbor Lodge State Historical Park

    4.3(15 reviews)
    49.8 mi

    I've been through Nebraska City plenty of times over decades but never visited the Arbor Lodge…read moreuntil today. Was a beautiful day and we enjoyed the short drive down from Bellevue. Parking was easy to find close to the lodge. The lady who ran the ticket stand gave us a great history of the lodge and told us about several rooms we might have overlooked otherwise. The rooms all had interesting items in them, all well documented. We especially enjoyed the room with the print press equipment, the room with mannequins wearing vintage dresses (from the waistlines, the ladies wearing them had to be using industrial strength corsets), and the bowling alley in the basement. We walked over to the carriage house and stables, then took a short walk through the grounds. We're glad we took the time to visit.

    Another yelp event hosted by Meg B, that we were invited to attend. Beautiful scenery, wonderful…read moreBBQ food at Porter's restaurant on site. Tour of the treehouse area that is set up for kids for All Hallows eve. Just so much to do & explore.great family event. I personally enjoyed it more than other pumpkin patch events that we've been to. Highly recommend you check this out anytime but especially in october.as already up to Halloween! Thanks Meg B for hosting.you made us all feel welcomed

    Photos
    Arbor Lodge State Historical Park - Step back in time when you visit the historic Arbor Lodge Mansion.

    Step back in time when you visit the historic Arbor Lodge Mansion.

    Arbor Lodge State Historical Park - Entrance to the tree top trail adventure.

    Entrance to the tree top trail adventure.

    Arbor Lodge State Historical Park - Sites along the trail to the tree house.

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    Sites along the trail to the tree house.

    Waubonsie State Park - Playground

    Waubonsie State Park

    4.0(12 reviews)
    44.7 mi

    Cute kids playground Good spots for the campers. It's quiet…read more The bathroom facilities are great! Nice loop for rent camping. Easy to find Privacy is good.

    We camped in a cabin for couple of nights at Waubonsie State Park near Hamburg, Iowa. It's about…read moreten miles from Nebraska City. We had cabin #4 which at one time was part of a Girl Scout camp that got added to the existing park in the Loess Hills. For $60 a night we rented a two bedroom cabin. We could also bring our dogs. It didn't have running water or a bathroom but conveniently, a vault latrine and outdoor water pump were in close proximity. A regular bathroom with showers was a short walk away. There were two sets of bunk beds in one room and a full-sized bed in the other. Renters must provide their own bedding, pillows, towels, toiletry items, cooking utensils, pots and pans, and dinnerware. With a microwave and coffeemaker but no other appliances, some cooking was done outdoors. It did have a couch, a couple of chairs and a dinette set, as well as a picnic table outside. Waubonsie is a hikers paradise with lots of trails including equestrian trails and camping. If you're into fishing, Lake Virginia is 7 acres with largemouth bass, bluegill and channel cat. You can launch your boat (electric motor only) or peacefully canoe. Waubonsie is not for you if you like an action-filled vacation. It's a beautiful, quiet and peaceful retreat from stressful living. Not surprisingly, do watch out for ticks in the spring.

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    Waubonsie State Park - Camp ground

    Camp ground

    Waubonsie State Park - Pets allowed!

    Pets allowed!

    Waubonsie State Park - Dinette

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    Dinette

    Big Lake State Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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