Platte River State Park is a state park in Nebraska known for its distinct hilly and forested landscape within the Platte River Valley. This area offers a unique topography compared to the surrounding flatter regions, featuring rolling hills, dense woodlands, and bluffs overlooking the Platte River. The park provides diverse terrain suitable for several outdoor activities, including hiking and mountain biking.
Outdoor enthusiasts visiting Platte River State Park can explore several routes…
13
Routes
4.5
(3)
Average rating
92
People visited

5
hikers
4.32km
01:13
40m
50m
Moderate hike. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4
hikers
4.41km
01:09
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
24
hikers
3.93km
01:04
60m
60m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
hikers
6.09km
01:42
60m
60m
Moderate hike. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

3
riders
7.11km
00:40
100m
100m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.69km
00:35
60m
60m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.

21
riders
11.5km
01:06
140m
140m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.

10
riders
44.3km
03:41
600m
600m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Platte River State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, paddle boating on Jenny Newman Lake, and canoeing or kayaking on the Platte River. The park also features shooting ranges at the Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Complex.
Yes, Platte River State Park features diverse hiking trails with engaging elevation changes through shaded, forested areas. Options include a 6.7-mile loop with a river and falls, the 2.4-mile (3.9 km) Schramm Park Nature Loop, and the 2.5-mile (4 km) Meditation Shelter – Red Cedar Trail. More details can be found in the Hiking in Platte River State Park guide.
Platte River State Park is recognized as Nebraska's most diverse mountain biking destination, offering over 20 miles (32 km) of trails across three main sections. Trails range from green (easy) to double black diamond, featuring fast-flowing singletrack and technical elements like drops, jumps, and berms. Consult the MTB Trails in Platte River State Park guide for more information.
Platte River State Park offers hiking trails suitable for families. The 2.4-mile (3.9 km) Schramm Park Nature Loop and the 2.5-mile (4 km) Meditation Shelter – Red Cedar Trail are examples of easier routes. For more options, refer to the Family-friendly hikes in Platte River State Park guide.
The park is known for its distinct hilly and forested landscape, which is unusual for Nebraska. Key features include bluffs with scenic overlooks of the Platte River Valley, one of Nebraska's few natural waterfalls, and two observation towers, one reaching 85 feet (26 meters), offering panoramic views.
Yes, Platte River State Park provides easy hiking trails suitable for beginners. Examples include the 2.4-mile (3.9 km) Schramm Park Nature Loop and the 2.5-mile (4 km) Meditation Shelter – Red Cedar Trail. Additional easy routes can be found in the Easy hikes in Platte River State Park guide.
Platte River State Park offers various lodging options for visitors. These include camper cabins, modern cabins, glamping cabins, and teepees, allowing for extended stays within the park's natural environment.
Platte River State Park is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 200 visitors having explored its routes. The park's 7 routes have an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, based on 9 ratings.
Komoot offers several guides for Platte River State Park, including Hiking in Platte River State Park, Family-friendly hikes in Platte River State Park, Easy hikes in Platte River State Park, and MTB Trails in Platte River State Park.
For official information, the Platte River State Park can be reached via their official website at ngpc.state.ne.us. The park's phone number is +1-402-234-2217.
Platte River State Park features a unique topography for Nebraska, characterized by rolling hills, relatively steep terrain, and heavily wooded areas. This diverse landscape provides engaging elevation changes for hikers and varied singletrack for mountain bikers.
Yes, Platte River State Park features two observation towers. One of these towers reaches 85 feet (26 meters) in height, offering expansive panoramic views of the Platte River Basin and the surrounding landscape.

