Waterfall Trail, Platte River State Park, Nebraska

ACTIVITIES: Hiking, paddling, fishing, camping LENGTH OF HIKE: 5.1 miles OUT AND BACK OR LOOP: Loop DIFFICULTY OF TERRAIN: Moderate ELEVATION GAIN: 200 feet PARKING FEE/PASS: Yes TOILETS: Yes CHANGING TABLE: No NURSING BENCHES: Yes DOGS ALLOWED: Yes BIKES/HORSES/MOTORS ON TRAIL: Bikes and horses CELL RECEPTION: Spotty DRINKING WATER AVAILABLE: Summer only POTENTIAL CHILD OR BABY HAZARDS: Trails are moderately difficult in some places GEAR SUGGESTIONS: Towels or wet wipes if walking in the waterfall, baby carrier, water, bug spray, not ideal for strollers Just 20 minutes from Omaha or Lincoln, this hidden gem of a park is a mere 519 forested acres but packs it all in from archery and skeet shooting ranges, to paddleboats, a lookout tower, trails for the adventurous, and camping if you just don’t feel like going home at the end of the day. While locals report the trails aren’t very well marked, you might want to consider lightweight pants and bug spray to battle nettles and mosquitoes if you plan to adventure deep. If you stay on the main trail to the mini waterfall, you should be able to find it easily enough; however, there are a lot of offshoots to be aware of that may lead you astray. Most of the trails are relatively easy and can be hiked by toddlers with the occasional steep spot. And since the park isn’t too large, you should be able to keep fairly on course. For wildlife, don’t expect too much beyond birds and bunnies. This park came about through a merge between a Girl Scout camp and two other properties to become a state park. Remnants of the camp’s past are still here in the 21 vintage cabins that are now rented out to the general public. The park has numerous amenities beyond cabins, such as teepees to rent and paddleboats. For $8 per half hour, you should have ample time to paddle around and explore. Is your kiddo a climber? There are not one but two lookout towers for kids to check out. Climb 85 feet in the air and get to the top of the Lincoln Journal Tour and take in the panoramic view of the Platte River. Don’t worry; they are completely child safe and have metal fencing that requires serious Spiderman skills to scale. In 2016, the state dedicated part of a $34 million recreation budget to this park, so expect to see new elements added to the area, including more mountain bike trails, a climbing wall, a zip line, and better access for canoes and kayaks. Also keep in mind if you get through this park and want to hike a bit more, just 7 miles down the road is Eugene T. Mahoney State Park and Schramm Park State Recreation Area for more toddler-friendly, easy hikes. WHY IT’S A FAVORITE “I loved this park! A lot of our ‘trails’ here are paved walkways through smaller parks—very urban trails. They’re great for strollers and beginners, but getting out in dirt and nature is really what I love and want to share with my boys. My husband is a lifelong Boy Scout, and he loved it as well. It was beautiful scenery, easy enough for my 3-year-old to traverse, but still had enough tricky spots like large rocks and steep hills to keep it interesting.” — CHRISTINE STEWART INSIDER’S TIP Do your kiddos love trains? Well then, you are in luck because a train track runs alongside the riverbank and is still in use. “Being that close to a ‘real’ train was maybe the highlight of our littles’ adventure in the woods,” says Christina Stewart.