Keystone Trail:
Nebraska
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Description:
The Keystone Trail is a popular urban-to-rural corridor for commuters and recreationists of all stripes: college students, businesspeople, families and the ranks of the retired who can easily access Omaha's many universities, parks and business districts.

The trail meanders along the banks of Papillion Creek, which itself ripples in the sun on its way to the Missouri River. Start your trip from the northern trailhead in Democracy Park and head south into town. For the majority of the trip you are atop the flood control levees of Little Papillion Creek, occasionally crossing back and forth over the water on bridges along the way. The concrete-surfaced corridor runs wide and, especially in the more park-like northern section and agricultural expanses of the south, grasshoppers will leap along beside you at their own peril.

While the trail only runs on an actual rail bed for 2.3 miles, the railroad's influence can't be missed. Just before the first 1 is a high railroad bridge that the trail passes under through a sheltered awning. If train cars are stopped on the tracks, the effect is a powerful reminder of the area's industrial past. Before mile 6 at Heritage Park, a wooden trestle rests across the riverbank to the east. A future east-west trail connector is also in the works-one of the few in the city-and will run on a former railroad corridor from Karen Park to 55th Street. Pilings can also be spotted along the trail, usually near creek-crossings.

A portion of the Keystone Trail runs through an industrial park area; however, the automobile traffic isn't a problem for trail users. The only time the trail isn't a flat gentle ride is when it dips beneath the roads on underpasses. You can either access the road or avoid traffic altogether. Signs ask cyclists to be alert for on-coming trail traffic.

As you leave the commercial district, the trail enters several neighborhoods and parks where Little Papillion Creek flows into Big Papillion Creek. Here, the landscape opens up to reveal the vast, square tracts of farmland for which the Cornhusker State is known.

At Seymour Smith Park, the Keystone Trail meets the Big Papio Trail, which takes off along a different route. Near mile 13, you can access the spur for West Papio Trail to the west or continue south on the Bellevue Loop Trail, which is generally considered an extension of the Keystone Trail. Together, the Keystone and Bellevue provide 30 miles of uninterrupted trail. The final stretch bends toward the Missouri and around Offutt Air Force Base. Just past mile 20, the trail turns sharply north and follows the Missouri River to the endpoint at Hawthorn Park.

The Keystone Trail was featured as a Trail of the Month in March 2007.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the trailhead at Democracy Park, take Interstate 80 to Interstate 680 North. Exit onto Fort Street and head east. Democracy Park is on the right at the corner of Templeton Drive and Fort Street.

To reach the southern trailhead at Haworth Park, travel south on Highway 75, then turn east on Highway 370. Take a left onto Payne Drive to reach Haworth Park.

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Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
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Great Trail
By Matthew Jerabek in August, 2006
"The Keystone Trail is a very well maintained paved trail in the heart of Omaha. It weaves through residential and commercial areas. The trail goes underneath major roads which makes it a very safe trail. My only complaints is that the trail could be slightly wider and it would be nice to have more facilities right on the trail. But, a very enjoyable ride. For dining, the Marketplace downtown by the river has some very nice restaurants."
Keystone/Bellevue Loop/Big Papio Trails
By Jim delaittre in May, 2001
"The Keystone Trail is a great city trail!!! It runs from just east of 90th and Fort Streets (Democracy Park) to Highway 75, where it joins the Bellevue Loop Trail. This trail goes around Offutt Airbase and the water treatment plant to Hayworth Park. The Keystone also connects with the Big Papio Trail at Seymour Smith Park. The Big Papio starts just west of 90th and Center, Towl Park, and goes southeast to Seymour Smith Park. The Big Papio will soon be extended nothwest to 120th and Blondo. With these three trails, you can ride 40, 50, 60 or even 70 miles without messing around with traffic. "
Omaha Trails
By Glen Vern in March, 2001
"Omaha has a outstanding jogging trail system, all paved and wide, no street crossings, you can run your legs off. The only drawback is the long cold winters of the city."
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