Nebraska\u00a0has a number of trails with minimal obstacles. \u00a0Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible. \u00a0Here are just a few of them.
\nThese links\u00a0were found through Internet search. \u00a0I would love to have some first-hand recommendations. \u00a0With your help, we can share our knowledge with disabled people everywhere and also increase awareness of the need for more accessibility. Please e-mail me with your suggestions using the form in the sidebar.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Federal<\/a>
\nState<\/a>
\nLocal<\/a>
\nPrivate<\/a>
\nMiscellaneous<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>Federal<\/h2>\n

• Homestead National Monument
  \n<\/strong>Homestead preserves 100 acres of restored tallgrass prairie.\u00a0 Although…”a restored prairie will never exactly repeat the original mix of plant and animal life…the species composition of the tallgrass prairie at Homestead successfully resembles that of presettlement times.”\u00a0 Cub Creek Woodland is a “…ribbon of lowland bur oak forest along Cub Creek and on the edge of the Great Plains…”\u00a0 Despite 140 years of cutting, grazing, and lack of fire “…this forest represents the best example of what settlers in Nebraska would have encountered. It is the edge of the world of tree to the east; a last creeping finger of shade.”
  \nThanks to Tara Burnette of the National Park Service for sending me the link for Accessibility<\/a> at Homestead.\u00a0 \u00a0She writes, “Although, it does not go into great detail about the natural prairie trails there, they exist. A great “nature fix” does exist there in the spring, summer and fall from experience. The staff there is very proactive in including people with disabilities.”\u00a0 Wheelchairs are available, call ahead.
  \n<\/span> \u00a0<\/span>Hiking Trails<\/a>\u00a0 Here is the Monument’s website.<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Phone 402-223-3514\u00a0 Brochure<\/a>
  \n<\/a>“The hiking trails consist of crushed rock and\/or mowed grass, and have moderate inclines in places. There are hard-surfaced sidewalk paths from the Heritage Center to the Palmer-Epard cabin and from the Education Center across the Cub Creek walking bridge.”<\/p>\n

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• Nebraska National Forests and Grassland \u00a0 \u00a0
  \n<\/a>P<\/strong>ine Ridge National Recreation Area
  \n<\/strong>“The Nebraska National Forest encompasses nearly 1.1 million acres of land in central and northwest Nebraska and in central and southwest South Dakota. The administrative units comprising the Nebraska are the Nebraska and Samuel R. McKelvie National Forests and the Buffalo Gap, Oglala, and Fort Pierre National Grasslands.”
  \nHere’s the website for the Nebraska National Forests and Grassland.<\/a>\u00a0 The Pine Ridge National Recreation Area<\/a> lies within it.\u00a0 Pine Ridge is described here by\u00a0SummitPost.org<\/a> and on Oh Ranger.com<\/a>.
  \nFor questions about trails in the Oglala National Grassland or Nebraska National Forest you can call Mike Watts\u00a0at 308-432-0390 or the Chadron Office at\u00a0308-432-0300.
  \n<\/a>Here are some suggestions from Mike Watts. \u00a0Use discretion – remember that one person’s Easy is another’s Challenging.
  \n“……..a few sections of trail and areas to hike that are scenic and relatively easy.
  \n1. Soldier Creek Campground, South Fork Trailhead. The Trooper Trail follows the drainage of the South Fork of Soldier Creek for about 3 miles before it heads up into the hills. This part of the trail is relatively level with rolling terrain. There are a few short steep sections and a few small creek crossings. This section of the trail is in the Soldier Creek Wilderness.
  \n2. Soldier Creek Campground, Middle Fork Trailhead. A two track unmarked trail follows the Middle Fork of Soldier Creek drainage. The two track enters the Wilderness after 1 \u00bd miles and continues for about another 1 \u00bd miles before it heads up into the hills. This is level to gently rolling. A variation of this is to take a two track trail that forks in the sidebar up the North Fork of Soldier Creek about \u00bc mile from the campground. This 2 track is relatively level for about 1 mile before it intersects the Boots and Saddle Trail.
  \n3. From Chadron State Park take the paved loop road to the top of the loop. Take the gravel road to the Black Hills Overlook. After approximately 2 miles the road dead ends at a parking lot on Forest Service land. From the parking lot take the Black Hills Overlook Trail. The trail follows ridges through an old burn area and is level to gently rolling with a few short steep pitches. After about 1 mile the trail begins to get steeper as it drops in elevation just before the trail forks. The right hand fork will take you down to the Chadron State Park Campground. The other fork will take you to down to the Outrider Trailhead on Forest Service. Both of these forks are approximately 1 mile.
  \n4. Approximately 5 miles south of Chadron on Highway 385 turn east on King Canyon Road. Continue east across a cattle guard onto Forest Service Road 733. After about \u00bd mile on Road 733 a high clearance or 4WD vehicle is recommended. Approximately 1 \u00bd miles from the start of Road 733 at the top of a hill you can access a section of the Pine Ridge Trail that follows a ridge through an old burn area. Parking is available next to the road. Follow the trail to the north for about 1 \u00bd miles. This section of trail is mostly level to gently rolling. There are a couple of short steep pitches. After about a mile when you reach a fork in the trail take the left fork out to an overlook.”<\/p>\n

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• Oglala National Grassland
  \n<\/strong>\u00a0The Oglala National Grasslands are in the northwestern corner of Nebraska, north of Crawford.\u00a0 “Find your way to the Hudson-Meng Bone Bed site where you can take a tour and learn about the history of this area, walk through the unique features of the Toadstool Geologic Park, or just spend some quiet time in the wide open spaces of the 94,000 acres of mixed grass prairies. ”\u00a0
  \n<\/strong>Described in Britannica<\/a>. The Grassland is in both South Dakota and Nebraska. \u00a0The headquarters is in Chadron, NE but the\u00a0visitor center<\/a> is in Wall, South Dakota. \u00a0Two trails are mentioned but with no indication of difficulty.<\/p>\n

  Here is the Grasslands’ website.\u00a0<\/a> \u00a0 \u00a0For questions about trails in the Oglala National Grassland or Nebraska National Forest you could call Mike Watts\u00a0at 308-432-0390 or the Chadron Office at\u00a0308-432-0300.
  \n<\/a>? \u00a0The Toadstool Geologic Area<\/a>\u00a0 in the grassland has a one mile interpretive loop. However, according to\u00a0NebraskaTravels.com<\/a>, \u00a0it might be too difficult to include on this site. \u00a0Mike Watts of the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands says that the first 1\/3 mile of the trail used to be accessible, but it has suffered a lot of erosion.<\/p>\n

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  <\/a>State<\/h2>\n

  • Nebraska State Parks and Recreation Areas <\/strong>
    \nHere is a map<\/a> showing the 76 State Parks and Recreation Areas.\u00a0 There are links to maps for each area and from the map you can link to the Park or Area website.
    \nPhone for Nebraska Game and Parks is\u00a0 402-471-0641.<\/p>\n

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  • Fort Kearney State Recreation Area<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Here is the SRA’s website.<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Phone 308-865-5305\u00a0 \u00a0Map<\/a>
    \nFort Kearny SRA “…offers 186 acres dotted with sandpit lakes. In the spring, the world\u2019s largest concentration of sandhill cranes and waterfowl gathers in
    \nthe central Platte River valley. ”
    \n<\/a>Fort Kearney Hike-Bike Trail begins at the park and extends 1.8 miles to Bassway Strip Wildlife Management Area, crossing both channels of the Platte River and was once a segment of the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad. TrailLink<\/a>\u00a0describes the trail as wheelchair accessible.<\/p>\n

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  • Indian Cave State Park
    \n<\/strong>Indian Cave State Park “… is well known for its beautiful camping and picnicking spots, as well as for its 22 miles of scenic hiking and biking trails. The park boasts sweeping views of wide, winding Missouri river and a majestic hardwood forest that puts on a spectacular show of colors each autumn.”
    \nHere is the Park website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0Phone\u00a0 402-883-2575\u00a0 \u00a0Map<\/a>
    \n<\/a>The superintendent at the Park, Kevin Holliday, writes that although the park’s location on the\u00a0\u00a0Missouri river bluffs \u00a0makes most of the trails very strenuous, they “do have easier and more flat trails within the park. Our scenic wetland trail is mostly flat and also a couple woodland trails are less strenuous than most others. The park has maintained\u00a0concrete roads that you can travel throughout the park and experience what the park has to offer.” \u00a0Call\u00a0402-883-2575 for information.<\/p>\n

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  • Pawnee State Recreation Area
    \n<\/strong>Pawnee SRA\u00a0has 2544 acres of which 740 are the lake.
    \nHere is their website.\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Phone\u00a0 402-796-2362\u00a0 \u00a0Map<\/a>
    \n<\/a>There are six miles of trails. \u00a0Kristi replied to my inquiry that, “The trails at Pawnee SRA for the most part are good for guests of all ages.\u00a0\u00a0 The trails are not wheel chair accessible.” \u00a0Call 402-796-2362 to learn more.<\/p>\n

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  • Ponca State Park
    \n<\/strong>Ponca State Parkis on the Missouri River bluffs in northeastern Nebraska.\u00a0 It is the “…eastern gateway to the 59-mile section of the Missouri National Recreational River, one of two unchannelized stretches of the river bordering Nebraska.”\u00a0
    \n<\/strong>Reviewed on AllTrails.com<\/a>\u00a0 Described on StateParks.com.<\/a>
    \nHere is the Park\u00a0website.<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 Phone\u00a0402-755-2284.\u00a0 \u00a0Map<\/a>
    \nThere is a “paved hike\/bike trail at the park that is easy and wheelchair accessible. It is a 1 mile trail that starts at the Missouri National Recreational River Resource and Education Center within the park.” \u00a0Thank you, Jessica, Outdoor Educator at Ponca SP.<\/p>\n

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  • Smith Falls State Park
    \n<\/strong>Smith Falls is on the Niobrara River, a National Scenic River.\u00a0 The Smith Falls is Nebraska\u2019s highest waterfall.\u00a0 “Not only is the land home to the beautiful falls, it is also an area of biological significance where several ice age species can still be found.”\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Here is the Park website.\u00a0 \u00a0 Phone\u00a0402-376-1306\u00a0 Map<\/a>
    \nBoth Trip Advisor<\/a> and Yelp<\/a> give it good reviews.
    \n<\/a>The trail to the falls is fine hard packed gravel and is wheelchair accessible.<\/p>\n

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  • Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area<\/strong>
    \nWildcat Hills SRA has\u00a01,094 acres of wilderness. “The park, which is situated high on a rocky escarpment in the Wildcat Hills, offers an escape to the region\u2019s signature rugged topography and evergreen-studded canyons. Not to mention, the area features an extraordinary view of the North Platte River Valley from its system of trails and observation decks at the nature center. “
    \n<\/strong>Here is the SRA website.<\/a>\u00a0 Phone\u00a0 308-436-3777\u00a0 \u00a0Map<\/a>
    \n<\/a>From “Oh Ranger”<\/a>: \u00a0“More than three miles of nature trails wind through the canyons and rocky bluffs, with four main trailheads and foot bridges on three trails. The primary trail is located below the large shelterhouse and is accessible to hikers of all ages and abilities.”<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

    <\/a>Local<\/h2>\n

    • Lincoln<\/strong>
      \n<\/a>Pioneers Park Nature Center<\/a>\u00a0 has “eight miles of hiking trails [that] wind through various habitats and take visitors past non-releasable raptor exhibits, as well as bison, elk, and white-tailed deer herds.” \u00a0 Trail map<\/a>\u00a0 The website does not give accessibility information, but they look easy.\u00a0 Call them at 402-441-7895 to learn more.<\/p>\n

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    • Omaha<\/a> \u00a0<\/strong>has trail system of\u00a0more than 85 miles of paved, interconnected trails. \u00a0The system is also accessible to people with disabilities.
      \n<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0Keystone Trail<\/a>\u00a0is 24 miles long and\u00a0“….passes through parks, farmland, residential and industrial areas.”
      \n<\/b><\/a><\/b>West Papio Trail<\/a>\u00a0is 16 miles of\u00a0concrete path that “winds along the West Papio Creek, through a number of neighborhoods, parks and recreation areas such as Zorinskly Lake.”
      \n<\/a>The Riverfront Trail<\/a> is in three sections totalling 20.1 miles.<\/p>\n

      <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

      <\/a>Private<\/h2>\n

      • Crane Trust Nature Center\u00a0<\/strong>
        \n<\/a>Crane Trust Nature Center, on the south side of the Alda interchange on I80, near Grand Island, \u00a0has prairie, river-edge and riparian forest trails. \u00a0A trail from building over the pedestrian bridges to the edge of the prairie is handicapped accessible. \u00a0Call\u00a0308-382-1820 for information. Here is their website.<\/a><\/p>\n

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      • Fontenelle Forest
        \n<\/strong>Fontenelle Forest has 1,400 acres near Bellevue.\u00a0 Their mission is to “..provide a place where people can experience and enjoy the quiet wild of nature.”
        \nHere is their website.<\/a>\u00a0 Phone\u00a0402) 731-3140 \u00a0Trail Map<\/a>
        \n<\/a>Gifford Memorial Boardwalk is a 3\/8 mile path leading to an observation tower overlooking the Great Marsh.
        \n<\/a>Riverview\u00a0Boardwalk is a one mile loop from the Nature Center.<\/p>\n

        Neale Woods Nature Center<\/strong> in Omaha is 600 acres of forest owned and managed by Fontenelle Forest. \u00a0\u00a0Map<\/a>\u00a0 Described on Nebraska Birding Trails<\/a>. \u00a0Looks like there are easy walks there. \u00a0Call\u00a0402-453-5615 for information.\u00a0 Here is the website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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      • Rowe Sanctuary
        \n<\/strong>Rowe Sanctuary, Gibbon NE, is “dedicated to the conservation of sandhill cranes, whooping cranes and other migratory birds, and their habitat along the Platte River in southcentral Nebraska.”\u00a0 \u00a0Here is their website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0Phone\u00a0308-468-5282
        \n<\/a>According to Office Manager Kent Skaggs, “We do have one trail that is approximately 1\/2 mile in length that would be easy for elderly walkers. \u00a0However, it does not have a surface of any type (just a mowed path) and probably wouldn’t be appropriate for most wheelchairs. \u00a0We do have one wheelchair accessible viewing blind along this trail, but we typically transport individuals via a golf cart to the blind during the time period we conduct viewings to see the sandhill cranes (March – early April).”<\/p>\n

        <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

        <\/a>Miscellaneous<\/h2>\n

        • <\/a>Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>is a 195 mile trail\/trail between Valentine and Norfolk. Plans are to continue it west another 126 miles to Chadron. \u00a0I’ve been told that the part to Valentine is wheelchair accessible. \u00a0However there is some flood damage near Clearwater. \u00a0More information about the trail<\/a>\u00a0 Kirk Nelson of \u00a0Nebraska Game and Parks Commission writes that, \u00a0“The best locations for wheelchair use of the trail is in the towns and villages along the way which include Norfolk, Neligh, O\u2019Neil, Bassett, Ainsworth and Valentine. There are accessible toilets in Norfolk, O\u2019Neil and Valentine. Most of the trail outside the urban areas is rough being surfaced with crushed limestone verses concrete in most of the cities and villages.” \u00a0He\u00a0suggests that wheelchair users “…start in the towns and work your\u00a0way out of town. That way [you]\u00a0can \u201ctest drive\u201d the crushed limestone surface and turn around if [you]\u00a0have problems.” \u00a0He says\u00a0you will get into nature quickly after leaving the towns. \u00a0It is a very rural trail. \u00a0\u00a0Nebraska Game and Parks phone number is\u00a0 402-471-0641.<\/p>\n

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        • Nature For The Blind<\/a> has a directory of Braille trails for almost every state in the US and for many other countries.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

        • The\u00a0Rails-to-Trails Conservancy<\/a>\u00a0lists wheelchair accessible trails in Nebraska.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

        • <\/a>?\u00a0\u00a0White River Trail<\/a><\/strong> is a rail\/trail going 3 miles from Crawford to Fort Robinson State Park. \u00a0Here is a map<\/a> on Trailsnet.com. \u00a0It is not included on the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s list of wheelchair accessible trails in Nebraska, so use some caution in planning.<\/p>\n

          <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul> Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          Nebraska\u00a0has a number of trails with minimal obstacles. \u00a0Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible. \u00a0Here are just a few of them. These links\u00a0were found through Internet search. \u00a0I would love to have some first-hand recommendations. \u00a0With your help, we can share our knowledge with disabled people everywhere and also increase awareness of … Continue reading White River Trail<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-373","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/373","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=373"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/373\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5867,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/373\/revisions\/5867"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=373"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}