There are hiking trails in Nebraska to lead you to all kinds of magical places. Whether you’re looking for history, nature, or adventure, the perfect hike is out there. If family fun is your goal, you’ll want to check out this gem in eastern Nebraska that leads right to a waterfall.

Platte River State Park is located along the Platte River about halfway between Omaha and Lincoln. It's right down the road from the larger and arguably more popular Mahoney State Park.
TripAdvisor/Ryan L
But this little park is absolutely perfect for those who love hiking, biking, horseback riding, and being outdoors in general. It also happens to be home to one of the state's most well-known waterfalls.
TripAdvisor/Deanne A
The trail to get to the waterfall starts in the park's lower parking lot. It's an easy enough path that even the youngest of youngsters can travel it with no problems.
AllTrails/James Elliott
Follow the wooded path just a short way and you'll start to hear the falls ahead. It's not the great whooshing of Smith Falls, but rather a gentler, soothing trickling.
AllTrails/Tonya S

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One of the great things about this waterfall is that you can walk in the creek above and below it. You can even splash around in the little pool where the water drops.
AllTrails/Kenny Ford
The rocks can be a little slippery because, of course, they're underwater. But this is a generally safe place to let the kids play and enjoy a natural water attraction.
TripAdvisor/Deanne A
After the waterfall, you can follow the creek for a while or head out to explore the rest of the park's extensive trail network. There's a LOT of hiking to be done here, and all of the trails are just gorgeous.
AllTrails/Kyle Cherry
If you go on a weekday, particularly in the off season, you won't have to share the trails with too many other people. There are more visitors on the weekends, but this writer has never seen the park nearly as crowded as Mahoney.
TripAdvisor/Deanne A

If you’re going in the warmer months, be sure to bring bug spray; the wooded surroundings and the water mean that you’ll encounter plenty of mosquitoes and other pests. There are also tons of other things to do at this sweet little park, including a splash pad, paddle boats, and brand new (as of July 2018) glamping cabins, so be sure to leave enough time to explore. A Nebraska parks permit is required to enter the park.

Platte River State Park is located on Hwy 66 just a little west of Louisville. Learn more about the park’s amenities and attractions here.

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