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64 Nebraskaland • April 2021
espite only being a half-hour drive
from Omaha and Lincoln, Platte
River State Park may seem out of the
way. The drive, when compared to bright and
shiny Eugene T. Mahoney down the road,
is a bit longer.
But it is also a bit quieter.
Even when a number of people are at the
park — from mountain bike riders and splash
pad visitors to overnighters at the new RV
campground — it never seems crowded.
I think I know why. If you've ever looked
at Platte River State Park from the air, the
park is encased in trees. The only open areas
that stick out are the RV campground and
Jenny Newman Lake.
Maybe that's what its visitors want you
to see. They want to keep this little secret
to themselves for as long as possible, only
bringing close friends and family to the new,
massive playground by the lake, the trail
leading to the Stone Creek waterfall or the
catch-and-release fi sh and paddleboat rides at
Jenny Newman Lake.
They also might fail to tell you about the
other lodging accommodations, including
modern and camper cabins as well as the
glamping cabins.
Well … their secret is out now. So visit this
park when the hustle and bustle down the street
is too much to bear, and bring your mountain
bike when you do. And your swimming suit.
And your fi shing rods and reels.
Just don't tell anyone you're doing so.
N
The Hidden Gem
Trisha Kramer of Lincoln rides a
mountain bike through a whale tail
obstacle on the trails at Platte River
State Park.
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