How to Get There

From Lincoln (35 miles):Take E O St and N 10th St to I-180 N/US-34 W. Take I-80 E to NE-66 E/I-80 ALT in South Bend. Take exit 426 from I-80 E. Follow NE-66 E/I-80 ALT to 346th St.

Overview

Platte River State Park is a public recreation area encompassing 453 acres (183 ha) on the southern bluffs of the Platte River two miles (3.2 km) west of Louisville, Nebraska. The state park has a relatively steep, rolling topography compared to the surrounding region, with much of it forested.

History

On August 13, 1982, the park was created from three formerly separate areas: Harriet Harding Campfire Girls Camp, Camp Esther K. Newman, and a woodland tract of 104 acres (42 ha). Vintage cabins from the earlier campgrounds are still in use.

Activities and amenities

Two observation towers provide views of the Platte River Valley; the taller rises 85 feet (26 m) above its base. The park has a spray park, tennis courts and ten miles (16 km) of hiking trails. Guided trail rides are offered in summer. Jenny Newman Lake provides fishing opportunities. Paddleboats are offered for rent. The park has a visitor center, arts and crafts center, picnicking areas, ballfield, tent camping, tepees, and cabins. A rifle, trap, and archery shooting range is part of the Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Complex.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Platte River State Park", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0