Nebraska Sand Hills Lakes
From: Omaha
Essential Gear
Smart recommendations tailored to your specific itinerary and season.
Top Pick

BALEAF Men's UPF 50+ Long Sleeve Moisture Wicking Hiking Shirt
4.6(38,000)
▼
🗺️ Google MapsDay 1
- •Pacing: Balanced exploration with 3h 34m of driving and 8h 40m of visit time.
- •Vibe: A water-centric nature crawl through eastern Nebraska's parks and lakes.
- •Focus: With stops at Midland Beach and multiple lakes, bring your fishing gear and a towel for lakeside relaxation.
🏠
Start Origin
Omaha, NE
🚗
54 min • 39.1 miles
🌲
Dog Park
9:00 AM
Fremont, Nebraska 68025, United States
90m • Leave at 10:30 AM
#1🚗
8 min • 5.6 miles
🏖️
Midland Beach
10:45 AM
Fremont, Nebraska 68025, United States
60m • Leave at 11:45 AM
#2🚗
5 min • 3.5 miles
🍴
🍽️ Lunch at The Door Sports Bar & Grill
12:00 PM
325 North Main Street, Fremont
50m • Leave at 12:45 PM
#3🚗
3 min • 2.5 miles
🌲
Milliken Park
12:45 PM
130 E 9th St, Fremont, Nebraska 68025, United States
90m • Leave at 2:15 PM
#4🚗
4 min • 3.1 miles
Rainbow Lake
2:15 PM
Fremont, Nebraska 68025, United States
45m • Leave at 3:00 PM
#5🚗
12 min • 8.8 miles
Snyder Lake
3:15 PM
Nickerson, Nebraska 68044, United States
45m • Leave at 4:00 PM
#6🚗
16 min • 11.7 miles
🌲
Hooper Park
4:15 PM
408 N Main St, Hooper, Nebraska 68031, United States
90m • Leave at 5:45 PM
#7🚗
46 min • 33.3 miles
🍴
🍽️ Dinner at Chester's
7:00 PM
219 Main Street, Beemer
50m • Leave at 7:45 PM
#8🚗
1 min • 0.1 miles
▼
🗺️ Google MapsDay 2
- •Pacing: Active and adventurous day with 5h 11m of driving and 7h 35m of visit time.
- •Vibe: A mix of small-town charm and river-based adventure.
- •Focus: The highlight is the Elkhorn River tubing trip; ensure you have a waterproof bag for your phone and plenty of sunscreen.
🚗
14 min • 10.4 miles
🍴
🍳 Breakfast at District Table and Tap West Point
8:15 AM
135 S Main St, West Point, Nebraska 68788, United States
30m • Leave at 8:45 AM
#1🚗
1 min • 0.2 miles
🌲
West Point Swimming Pool
8:45 AM
250 W Bridge St, West Point, Nebraska 68788, United States
90m • Leave at 10:15 AM
#2🚗
1h 20 min • 57.8 miles
🌲
Arboretum
11:30 AM
Laurel, Nebraska 68745, United States
45m • Leave at 12:15 PM
#3🚗
1 min • 0.7 miles
🍴
🍽️ Lunch at Knuckleheadz Bar
12:15 PM
117 East 2nd Street, Laurel
50m • Leave at 1:00 PM
#4🚗
58 min • 42.2 miles
🌲
Central park
2:00 PM
Central Park, Norfolk, Nebraska 68701, United States
90m • Leave at 3:30 PM
#5🚗
25 min • 18.5 miles
Tubing trip on Elkhorn River
4:00 PM
Meadow Grove, Nebraska 68752, United States
90m • Leave at 5:30 PM
#6🚗
1h 41 min • 73.1 miles
Dinner at El Nopal Mexican Restaurant
7:15 PM
314 US-20, Oneill, Nebraska 68763, United States
60m • Leave at 8:15 PM
#7🚗
2 min • 1.1 miles
Historic Golden Hotel
406 E Douglas St, Oneill, Nebraska 68763, United States
#8Find a place to stayCheck availability and exact pricing
▼
🗺️ Google MapsDay 3
- •Pacing: Scenic adventure day with 7h 6m of driving and 4h 45m of visit time.
- •Vibe: Nature and wildlife immersion featuring Nebraska's most iconic water features.
- •Focus: This is a heavy wildlife and photography day; bring binoculars for the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge and sturdy hiking boots for the Smith Falls trek.
🚗
3h • 130.6 miles
🍴
🍳 Breakfast at MI TORO SUPREMO LLC
11:00 AM
502 US-20, Valentine, Nebraska 69201, United States
30m • Leave at 11:30 AM
#1🚗
9 min • 6.3 miles
🌲
Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge
11:45 AM
39983 Refuge Rd, Valentine, Nebraska 69201, United States
45m • Leave at 12:30 PM
#2🚗
8 min • 6.1 miles
🍴
🍽️ Lunch at Old Mill
12:45 PM
704 East C Street, Valentine
50m • Leave at 1:30 PM
#3🚗
21 min • 15.3 miles
Smith Falls State Park
1:45 PM
90159 Smith Falls Rd, Valentine, Nebraska 69201, United States
40m • Leave at 2:30 PM
#4🚗
1h 0 min • 43.4 miles
Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area
3:30 PM
88292 NE-97, Valentine, Nebraska 69201, United States
45m • Leave at 4:15 PM
#5🚗
6 min • 4.4 miles
Snake River Falls
4:15 PM
Valentine, Nebraska 69201, United States
15m • Leave at 4:30 PM
#6🚗
1h 16 min • 55.2 miles
Niobrara Valley Preserve
5:45 PM
42269 Morel Rd, Johnstown, Nebraska 69214, United States
60m • Leave at 6:45 PM
#7🏠
End (Return)
Omaha, NE
Book Your Trip
Your itinerary is ready! Book your accommodations and grab essential gear.
Loading map...



