We love Platte River State Park. The trails are our favorite part (and same goes for our dogs!) They aren't super challenging, but they are scenic and beautiful. We saw several deer and a fox on our last trip! Our favorite part has to be the small waterfall. We've camped here before as well, and we enjoyed our night. The bathrooms certainly aren't sparkling clean, but they are still cleaner than many I have been in at state parks! Our next goal is to spend a night in one of the cabins! read more

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Great trails, great scenery, the tower offers an amazing view, and we love the waterfall!! It's a great place to hike, even get some good photos! read more

A family favorite! We've been coming up here for years to hike. Several trails so you can take a long or short hike. The new playground is amazing! They also just remodeled the bathrooms by the observation tower and they are so nice. read more

Platte River State Park is located about 20-25 minutes outside of Omaha. It is a great park for all! It has many features including several hiking trails, mountain biking, a splash pad, dog park, a fishing pond, a lookout tower, a glamping cabin, and more! The lookout tower is perfect for catching a Nebraska sunset! I love that the trails are dog friendly (and so does my dog!). Overall, great place to spend a day or a weekend! read more

Platte River State Park - Parks Near Me - Louisville, Nebraska

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Great trails! We love the waterfall trail. The park membership also is a great deal if you want to visit often or the other Nebraska parks.

A fantastic venue for family days and date nights. It's so beautiful here, it feels like you're out of town (which technically you are) I love to hike and my husband loves to bike so it's a nice place for us to work out together or separate. We have spent many full days here. With the little ones, its fun to get them here, get them in nature and enjoy a quiet car ride home while they nap from playing. We pack a picnic and enjoy at the many areas to sit and indulge. We CANNOT wait until the cabins reopen; as we've stayed before and its so nice to wake up and see the water. I look forward to getting back to some of the other activities they offer as well! read more

Beautiful park, pretty empty for us...it's late Oct.. Quiet. The ranger came around at about 10 - making is rounds. There is an amazing steak place 10 minutes away. Best steak we have had on our 33 day RV trip. We would def camp here again. Super nice staff in the camp office. read more

Our family decided this morning to take the top of our Wrangler and cruise over to the Platte River State Park. As we left we heard a roll of thunder and smiled as we left hoping to stay dry... The Good: First off we stayed dry all day yay!!! Once we got to the park we were greeted by a park ranger with a friendly smile who was happy to tell us about the park since the virus situation does not allow them to hand out maps or brochures. We decided to go on a little 2 mile hiking trail passing the waterfall inside the park. The trails there are more wide paths but very nice and even with the hills easy to walk. The little creek that flows through the park was very cool to see and walk along. Our dog had a blast running though it from side to side and splashing in the water. The rather small waterfall sounded very large as it is in a cove. We ended up taking some trails us the hills which was pretty cool, too! The Bad: Kind of a tough one since we really enjoyed ourselves and had a good time but since this is how I write my reviews I better come up with something bad... Oh yeah my wife tripped over a tree that had fallen over the trail and I did not expect or see her fall so I was not ready with my camera to get a million tiktok views (no I don't even have that silly app). All kidding aside she is fine and we continued our 2 mile stroll through the State Park. The Ugly Truth: Throw your family in the car, can, truck, bus or whatever you transport your loved ones in and head down to this little treasure of a park along the South side of the Platte river. There are lots of trails and ample opportunities to wear out the kids and pets so the sleep on their way home. Picnic areas are scattered throughout the park as well so pack a basket and enjoy the beautiful outdoors and all this park has to offer!!! read more

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This is a fantastic place for families. My family enjoyed the waterfall trail, several playgrounds, and splash pad. I also appreciated the tidiness of the grounds and picnic shelter areas. Overall great experience. read more

we have been going to Platte River State Park every year since 1988. We rent The Red Cedar cabins 1-5. every year the cleanliness and upkeep of the cabins and pavilion bathrooms and showers have deteriorated more and more. the tile in the bathrooms is breaking up and moldy (ick) the carpet in the cabins is disgusting gross. The staff drove through several times a day but only picked up trash when we asked. We drive around and saw where the Wild Turkey cabins 1-5 were torn down and replaced with $310 per night "cabins"! seriously!! Why can' t some of this money be allocated for updating the older cabins. We were very dissatisfied this year and will definitely be checking to see if improvements are being made in the next several months read more

We are slowly making our way to the NE state parks. We did Mahoney, and want to do Indian Caves soon. Recently, it was Platte River on the list and it did not disappoint. Since we haven't found the time to camp, our day visits have been brief but fun. All the of the ones we visited so far had $5 daily admission fee per car, and you get an all day pass. For the first time, we took along little Henri (puppy) to explore the river and the trails with us which proved to be such a fun experience for us all. The hikes are not challenging compared to other ones we have done [on mountains], pretty much was more like a nature walk. There are a few water features throughout, so warning to all those who have water loving children and dogs. Henri loves getting wet and sure made for a fun ride home. Luckily, I brought plenty of towels for the car. There are many more features for this park but we only utilized the trails. Would be fun for a camping trip or retreat. read more

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This is a great place to walk trails. Loved the openness of it all. There's a cute little water fall on one of the main trails, perfect for pictures! Great place to get outdoors and enjoy nature. We just hiked one of the main trails and climbed an observation tower. But it was still cool to do it! Also it cost only $5.00 for a day pass for parking. I'll be back for sure! read more

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Great place for a day hike Nebraska 13018 Awesome place for a day hike! Review of Platte River State Park Pending review Lots of people take the easy hike back to the waterfall and that is fine but if you really want to get some good hikes in hit the other trails. There is a great trail to the east that runs into the bike trails to the east of the park. This is an awesome place to hike. Also, up at the west side by the cabins and new rv area is a trailhead that takes you to the west side of the park and you can follow it to the Platte river side. Lots if ravines but a great hike. Of course take some time for some archery, shooting and ax throwing, horse riding or climb the towers. Have an awesome day and get out and enjoy it!More read more

This is a very nice park. The trails are well kept and easy to navigate. There are two towers to climb, paddle boats, ice cream, fishing, and many more activities. You can get food at the park and the restaurant on Saturday nights serves bison steak which was tasty! read more

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I love the trails it's peaceful away from the city. People are so friendly there. I love the waterfall. read more

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This park has a lot to offer for its size. There are many hiking trails and the maps are somewhat accurate. The rock falls, which are small, in the middle are much more accessible than I had expected. The hiking trails beyond them are narrower and have varying relief which is good if you want just a short hike or you can weave around the trails and make a longer journey. There is a shooting range for firearms and archers. The park does not offer camping but they do have various cabins for rent. There is also a restaurant, pool, craft center, snack shop, fishing area for children 15 and under, and offers two towers for views of the Platte River area. Overall, a nice way to kill a day or just get away for a weekend and enjoy nature. read more

Finally! A public shooting range in eastern Nebraska!!! This place has the usual state park things; - Look-out tower - Check - Cabins - Check - Trails - Check - Lakes - Check But they also have two awesome standout features. First, there is a little tiny waterfall - just go past the lookout tower - down the trail past the teepee's - down the long hill - then turn left when you get to the creek. Seriously, a waterfall in eastern Nebraska!!! How cool is that? It may only be like 5 feet tall - but for this part of the state - that's like Victoria Falls. That alone would be enough to make a trip here your plan for the weekend - but they also have one other awesome feature (drum roll) a shooting range! For VERY reasonable prices you and your spouse and your kids (!) can go shoot bows, pellet guns and .22 rifles under the expert tutelage of their staff! Call in advance for hours that the range is open - and I think it closes on Labor day for the year - but this is great! I grew up in Wyoming and I learned to shoot about the same time I got my first bike. It has been a constant source of frustration that eastern Nebraska didn't seem to have a range where I could shoot with my kids. (Whatever happened to the planned one in Wahoo?) And now we do! Yay! I'll pay my state taxes a lot more happily this year! ;) Update: Apparently it doesn't close on Labor Day read more

Best state park in Nebraska, if not America. There is so much to do including a new shooting range, hiking/biking trails, beautiful sightseeing from large lookout towers, horseback riding, craft barn, archery, an amphitheater, swimming pool, paddle boating/canoeing, nature walks, etc. I have been going to Platte River since I was little and this place offers families a wonderful place to reconnect and have fun. read more

Great little gem that you wouldn't expect to offer so much. It has cabins from barebones ($28) to full kitchenettes ($42-$88 per night). Or if you really want to experience nature there's teepee camping and some tent too. Great place to plan an outing with ponds, lists of wildlife and "people happy" geese that will eat your food. Try to beat my time 55seconds up the stair master 4000. There are also small hiking trails and wonderful views and it's only 20 minutes from Omaha! I think it's better than Mahoney personally I want to go back in the summer when more things will be up and open. read more

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The facilities aren't quite as nice as the ones at the nearby, newer Mahoney State Park, but I like the park itself better - it's less developed and so feels more natural and park-like. Be sure to climb the lookout tower, try the lodge's yummy bison burgers, and enjoy a nice paddleboat on the lake. read more

We come her and rent cabins! It's super fun and the kids love it! They have towers to climb, pool to swim in and a lake to fish in with paddle boats! The cabins are old but they have everything you need! Small fridge, heat, ac and beds with sheets! The lodge has beautiful views and and serves a great breakfast. Tons of trails to hike too! read more

This place is amazing! We've visited a number of times, but this year just got better. They added a splash park that features slides and split play area for little/big kids, and to top it all off lifeguards. It does cost an additional $3 per person even if you are not splashing, but it's well worth the cost, it's far enough out that it doesn't get crowded and the cost also deters other traffic. We love doing the paddle boats ($8/per rental boat) and also the free activities through the nature center. If you like a great view from high up, the towers are a fun climb. The first tower is wood and a bit shorter than the big tower down the road. The big tower is metal and has a larger area to view the Platte River. It also seems a bit more sturdy. If heights aren't your thing, head down the falls trail. We never go too far, but we let the kids wade in the clear area and bring a gallon or two of water to rinse off feet at the parking area. There is a restaurant as well, however, we have never ate there. This is one of my favorite parks and off the beaten path a bit, where many people hit up Mahoney first and don't even think about it, which is perfect for me! read more

Beautiful views from the observation towers, even in January! The staff at the park office were very friendly and the cabins and trails were very clean. 10/10 will hike again. read more

Took a staycation for 3 days at the Evergreen cabin with a group of about 8 people. Worth every penny I spent at this park. For a group that's not extremely outdoorsy, we really lived it up. Took a nice morning trail ride on horseback, visited the archery range, took the paddle boats out on the lake, and saw the infamous "waterfall" along the trails. Fees for these activities are pretty reasonable. The cabin we stayed in came complete with enough beds for all, air conditioning, complete kitchen, and a nice patio perfect for relaxing! Camping is a subjective term, right? ;) Would definitely come back! read more

Went for the shooting range only. It was great! Helpful instructors, good prices, and friendly competition. There were 14 of us shooting so we had to do everything in groups of 6 but with 4 different activities/ranges, we just rotated and no one had to stand around waiting. Archery, pellet, rifle or byo-gun, and shotgun (skeet?--clay bird) are the options. read more

Our family just returned from a weekend at Platte River State Park and loved it. The staff is very cordial and helpful. Park was clean with lots to do. Our grandchildren loved the swimming pool, the horses, fishing, hiking and paddle boats. There is no excuse for being bored, if you're at this park ! read more

I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS PARK!! We had planned a full 1 day stay-cation at Mahoney in July. Did not know it would be the hottest day of the year when I picked the date. It was my husband and I and 2 8yr old girls who were looking forward to the horseback riding for 2 weeks. As soon as we rolled up to the window there was a sign that said horseback rides were full which was weird because they don't start taking reservations until 10AM, which is when we arrived.(Came to find out later they cancelled rides all together because of the heat and apparently do this quite often for random reasons) So we paid for the park permit anyway and I went in to the main office just to make sure they were full before I crushed the girls hopes and dreams. She said that yes they were full but that we could try Platte River State Park about 4 miles away and gave me a map that was difficult to follow because it was printed sideways! My daughter has wanted to ride a horse her whole life so I wasn't going to let the 4 miles get in the way. We drove to Platte River State Park and she said the only time slot open was 1:00 and they weren't doing any after that because of the heat which was completely understandable. We paid for 4 for the 1:00 ride and decided to pass the time with paddle boating. We drove the 4 miles back to Mahoney and after lathering up the sunscreen and walking past the massive line to the paddle boat dock we walked in to realize there was a minimum 1 hr wait for a paddle boat!! So our plans dashed again we walked back to the car to look for something to do to pass the time until horseback riding at 1:00 back at Platte River. My husband just happened to pick-up the Platte River State Park map the lady gave him when we signed up for the horseback riding and he said "Hey, Platte River has paddleboats!". So then we drove the 4 miles back to Platte River State Park and on our way to the paddleboats we stopped at the lookout tower. It was very freaky but the view was spectacular!! I am not one for heights but it was worth the climb. Then we drove over to paddle boating where there was not a single person there!! We were the only people, it was so nice! You can buy fish food and feed the ducks and they are so used to being fed they came right up and ate out of my daughters hand. We lasted about half an hour in the heat and came back. Right there at Owen Landing we bought ice cream cones and slushies that were very good. All the kids working the concessions and paddleboats were very friendly. There were restrooms there too. We decided to eat lunch at this point and used our map to find a sheltered picnic area. Again, not a sole in sight! It was fully covered and HUGE, right next to some swings and restrooms with showers. This park is soooo quiet it really feels like you are alone in the park which is what people get away to these places for! Ate a very quiet and relaxing lunch and finished just in time to make it to the stables. The horses are beautiful and very well cared for! All of the wranglers seemed very safety oriented for the rider and the horse. The girls were THRILLED to say the least. All of the trails are through the trees so it's shaded which was important with how hot it was the day we went. You walk by a little creek and over a wooden bridge, past a train track that gets trains pretty regularly. My 2 girls got the oldest horses in the stable which were 29 and 30 years old so they were very mellow. They have 3 guides with each tour and one leads, one rides near the middle and one at the end. They stop halfway and check everyone's saddle to make sure it's not loose. Ride lasted about an hour, it was wonderful! We have lived in Nebraska our entire lives and I haven't been to this park since I was so young I don't remember going. We can't figure out why we haven't been here before!! Then when we got home I did some research on the adorable cabins we drove by and found that they don't do any tent camping which is why we haven't been here before. We tent camp alot. But they have these little one room cabins with fireplaces that are open year round with AC and heat, a kitchen and shower. We have already reserved one in September!! They have many other size cabins and teeepee's even that sleep upto 6 and a barn that sleeps upto 20! It was waaaaaay more outdoorsy than Mahoney to which we will never go back. I am in love with this park and there are sooo many things to do. My husband did the gun range and only cost about $6 for an hour and he had to rent the gun and rounds, there's the horseback riding for $16 a person, hiking trails, paddleboats, fishing, platte river, standard swimming pool, picnic sites, observation tower, playgrounds, tennis court, and theater. We can't wait to go back again and again!! Platte River State park saved the day and made my daughters dream of riding a horse come true!! Would give it 6 starts if I could! read more