This Beautiful Boardwalk Trail In Nebraska Is The Most Unique Hike Around

Nebraska’s abundant hiking trails mean that there’s a trail for just about everyone, no matter what your ability level or location. Today we’re taking a look at one of Sarpy County’s premier hiking spots.

By Ammodramus - Own work, CC0

Fontenelle Forest is a 1,400-acre natural deciduous forest in Bellevue. It sits right up against the Missouri River and offers more than 26 miles of hiking trails.

Nebraska Tourism

One of those miles is the Riverview Boardwalk Trail, an elevated boardwalk arranged in three loops. Start right behind the Nature Center and set off on your quiet, wooded walk.

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The boardwalk takes you on an easy stroll through some of the forest's most beautiful scenery. The trails are open all year, so you can visit anytime - and you'll see something new every time you go. There are more than 20 places on the boardwalk to stop, sit, and observe your surroundings.

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The Riverview Boardwalk Trail is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible and fully ADA compliant. It's the perfect place for just about everyone to enjoy some fresh air and experience one of Nebraska's most magnificent natural places.

Nebraska Tourism

As you stroll this short and sweet trail, you'll see a variety of tree species. Among them is the hardy bur oak. Keep an eye out along the boardwalk's third loop and you'll see the Constitution Tree, a bur oak that has been alive since the mid-18th century. There are other bur oaks of similar age in the forest - just imagine all they've seen in the past 250 or so years.

Google Images/Ryan Albano

If you're up for a somewhat more adventurous hike, you can hop off of the boardwalk onto the designated trails (which are uneven and not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible). Depending on your abilities and what you feel like seeing that day, you can gaze at the marsh, walk up to the river's banks, spend time in a verdant secluded glen, or have lots of other unforgettable adventures.

The Fontenelle Forest Nature Center is located at 1111 Bellevue Blvd N, Bellevue, NE 68005. Admission is $9.50 per adult, $8.50 per senior (62+), $7.50 per child/student (2-17), and free for children under age 2. Or buy an annual pass starting at $45/year. Find out more about the forest here.

Have you explored this stunning boardwalk hike? Tell us all about it – and be sure to share your photos in the Nebraska Nature Lovers group on Facebook.

There’s so much more to explore at Fontenelle Forest than the boardwalk and trails. One of our favorite features is the Raptor Woodland Refuge – read all about it here.