Nebraska | TrailLink

The " Great American" Route Through Nebraska

The Great American Rail-Trail crosses from Iowa into Nebraska on the iconic Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge—a 3,000-foot cable-suspension structure over the Missouri River. The preferred route of the Great American Rail-Trail in Nebraska weaves through the urban areas of Omaha and Lincoln, connecting these population centers to the western, more rural, part of the state along one of the longest and most famous rail-trails in the country—the Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail.

Outstanding!

October 2015 bikeguy55

Very nice space. We are so lucky to have this in Lincoln

A Great Way to Spend a Sunday Morning!

October 2021 thejake91739

The wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip bicycling from the Nebraska side to Iowa and eventually back over on this awesome suspension bridge in October. Plenty of photo ops, pedestrians, and joggers!
Bicyclists: Plan on riding Omaha's Riverfront Trail and Iowa's Riverfront Trail on either side of the bridge to make a day of it! Council Bluff's Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park is especially cool with its large grassy areas, trees, and sculptures!

January 0001 Anonymous

I've lived in Omaha for 30 years and never knew this route was here. I was able to connect it with side streets and ride from my house near Memorial park to the Bob Kerrey Bridge thus avoiding the major streets with more traffic.

September 2020 jayrobinso

I've lived in Omaha for 30 years and never knew this route was here. I was able to connect it with side streets and ride from my house near Memorial park to the Bob Kerrey Bridge thus avoiding the major streets with more traffic.

Indiana Trail Reviews

Accordion

Nice Trail Corridor, Too Much Loose Aggregate

July 2023 trob4cy

Nice towns along the way. Good history. Various places to camp/stay. The trail is wide, well groomed and is mostly free from weeds or any overgrowth. But tire tracks from maintenance equipment can create a rough washboard effect along the trail.

In the red aggregate areas there is so much loose red aggregate that sometimes it is very hard to pedal and navigate through. Then the crushed limestone portions are pretty good. Issue is the trail will alternate back and forth with some sections of the really loose red aggregate and some sections of nice crushed limestone.

Use caution in loose material at road crossings (especially in sandier soil areas in western portions of the trail).

No trailheads. Source your own water and find own restrooms in towns along the way. No bulletin boards to post communications so check ahead online for trail closures and detours.

I did not have an issue with the puncturevine many speak of but be prepared for it in case you do.

shady urban refuge

July 2015 melissa.overton

This is a nice refuge in the middle of urban Omaha and can easily be walked in 1-1.5 hours. The flat terrain and shade accommodates those who wish to walk, jog, bike, blade and use strollers. This is trail also accommodates individuals needing handicapped accessibility. (Note: no restrooms along trail)

Great trail for a 5k!

September 2021 alic1991

Trail Closed at The Mart for sewer repair

August 2023 nosliwrenee

There is a detour but you have to cross Dodge Street. Just wanted to share this info with riders. It closed now and will be for 5 months in this section. https://omaha.com/news/local/omaha-to-close-portion-of-keystone-trail-for-5-months/article_07b99bce-3852-11ee-bb43-3bcb2f7635e1.html

The pipe after the Platte River bridge is bent.

May 2024 linda_03

The guard pipe on the south side of the Platte bridge is bent. This narrows the distance between the top of the Guard pipes. It wasn’t enough space for my bicycle handlebars to fit through and so I crashed. I know you don’t want motorized vehicles on the bridge, but the pipes are too tall and interfere with bicycle handlebars, especially when one of them is bent inward. Why can’t the top of the bars be about 10 inches lower? Thank you

Close to the Omaha Metro - Nice Trail!

May 2023 bikrgurl

Parked in the new trailhead in Wabash NE complete with toilet facilities and gravel lot for 20 cars. Rode to Eagle and back. Clean and beautifully maintained crushed gravel trail. Nice bridges. You could probably ride a road bike on it because it was fairly smooth. I rode a mountain bike and my friend had a hybrid. Appx 27 mi round trip. Less than a 40 min drive from Omaha and 45 from Council Bluffs IA.

easy

June 2017 ericb486

Easy to navigate, straight forward. Going biking, see you!

A worthwhile experience

April 2022 dianalim

Oak Creek Trail is still closed just north of Valparaiso which was not posted on the info kiosk in Valparaiso. Better to start at County Rd. 30 if heading northward. Beautiful trail. Largely wind protected with embankments and trees. The horse trail alongside occasionally crisscrosses the fine gravel trail which was in good shape for this early spring ride. Restrooms were not open. North of Loma we encountered >20 mph winds which were gusting to 36 mph which added a significant challenge. But it was a pretty ride and worth the effort.

open

July 2021 opd1845

Bridge was recently opened back up over the Platte. Additional upgrades on the east side of the river as well.

They just got done with the new underpass under Rosa Parks Way. Shorter path, and lot nicer than having to go over to 1st Street.

July 2022 ml93818

Nice Trail

September 2018 bojanskimj

I enjoy the trail, as long as the city keeps the grass/weeds cut. Be on the look out for broken glass in the area near 42nd & D st.
And yes be careful crossing at 50th St...I can say someone runs the light almost everytime I used the lights.
It would be nice if there was a bench between 50th-42nd St.

May 2014 tammy.keller2013

Get tired legs rideing all the trails that comes off the vererans memorial trail and the numberass of veiws from 17 miles north of Omaha Neb. to the Iowa and Mo. state line south you won't forget these trails from one to the other

June 2013 shirart

I say this becaus i have made all of these trails one at time sometimes two or three and there is water as you go Have nice trip there is some grades but not bad ones as im 76 235lb so if i can make it you can also

wonderful place!

October 2020 teganzp

Nice peaceful walk with nature. Wonderful lake and families taking advantage of it! Everyone should visit Walnut Creek Recreation

Look forward to extension to Flannagan Lake trail

May 2021 kjbusacker

I love riding the West Papio, both north and south from Zorinsky Lake, where i usually connect. The north end is more scenic with trees. It's a shame the West Papio does not connect yet to Flannagan Lake. I see they are working on the Cleveland Blvd road, so that should be a solution once done.