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Nebraska Sand Hills Lakes

From: Omaha

Essential Gear

Smart recommendations tailored to your specific itinerary and season.

  • 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
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3 min • 2.5 miles
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Milliken Park

12:45 PM
130 E 9th St, Fremont, Nebraska 68025, United States
90m • Leave at 2:15 PM
#4
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4 min • 3.1 miles

Rainbow Lake

2:15 PM
Fremont, Nebraska 68025, United States
45m • Leave at 3:00 PM
#5
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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
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Hooper Park

4:15 PM
408 N Main St, Hooper, Nebraska 68031, United States
90m • Leave at 5:45 PM
#7
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46 min • 33.3 miles
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🍽️ Dinner at Chester's

7:00 PM
219 Main Street, Beemer
50m • Leave at 7:45 PM
#8
🚗
1 min • 0.1 miles

Bemmer

🌙 Evening: Check-in
#9
Find a place to stayCheck availability and exact pricing
View Deal
  • 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
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🍳 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
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West Point Swimming Pool

8:45 AM
250 W Bridge St, West Point, Nebraska 68788, United States
90m • Leave at 10:15 AM
#2
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1h 20 min • 57.8 miles
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Arboretum

11:30 AM
Laurel, Nebraska 68745, United States
45m • Leave at 12:15 PM
#3
🚗
1 min • 0.7 miles
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🍽️ Lunch at Knuckleheadz Bar

12:15 PM
117 East 2nd Street, Laurel
50m • Leave at 1:00 PM
#4
🚗
58 min • 42.2 miles
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Central park

2:00 PM
Central Park, Norfolk, Nebraska 68701, United States
90m • Leave at 3:30 PM
#5
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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
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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

🌙 Evening: Check-in
406 E Douglas St, Oneill, Nebraska 68763, United States
#8
Find a place to stayCheck availability and exact pricing
View Deal
  • 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
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🍽️ 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
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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

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