Skip the Crowds: Explore Nebraska’s 5 Quietest Trails and Parks This Month

When it comes to amazingly underrated places, I think Nebraska has earned itself a top spot on the list. What most folks dismiss as boring and bland is a vividly beautiful landscape filled with secret wonders, all worthy of a full day's exploration or more. I've compiled a short list of five of the most spellbindingly beautiful hiking trails in Nebraska, and for good measure, I've also made sure that these trails are the ones less traveled - you could easily get any one of these hikes all to yourself.

1. Scott Lookout National Recreation Trail

The jaw-dropping six-mile-long adventure known as the Scott Lookout National Recreation Trail is one of Nebraska's best-kept secrets. Lovers of the forest will find themselves enchanted by this gorgeous trek, complete with shady woods, rolling hills covered in long grass, and even one absolutely epic view from a lookout point. It's moderately challenging, with some uphill bits to conquer, but overall, it's a rewarding adventure in our beautiful state's backcountry that the outdoorsy cannot resist.

2. Lake Ogallala Trail

The photogenic Lake Ogallala Trail is long, easy, and scenic, offering some truly lovely views of Lake Ogallala and its surrounding landscape. Backpackers will love stretching the nine-mile trail out as long as possible, and day hikers will delight in seeing how far they can go (and in how much time.) In the spring and early summer, wildflowers abound, and in the fall, the foliage comes ablaze with color. The trail itself is nicely maintained and mostly level, making it great for folks with small children. Dogs are allowed, but please keep them on a leash.

3. L.E. Ray Lake Loop

The nothing-short-of-wondrous L.E. Ray Lake Loop is exactly what it sounds like it ought to be: a dirt path looping all the way around L.E. Ray Lake in L.E. Ray Park. This lake is beautiful and lesser-known, and as one of the best-kept secrets in Nebraska, this hike is also beautiful and lesser-known. Anyone seeking solitude in nature will adore this adventure. It's easy and just over one mile in length; you should end up where you started at the end. All-terrain tires are recommended for getting to the parking area, which is unpaved.

4. Long Pine State Recreation Trail

Hidden within the Long Pine State Recreation Area is the gorgeous, outrageously photogenic Long Pine State Recreation Trail. This trail is just over one mile long, and it's sweet and easy - perfect for families with kids, folks with mobility needs, and just about everyone else. The creek views on this trail are to die for, and in the summer, when everything's lush and green, it's especially wondrous. This hike can be a little messy, though, and at times, the trail can be muddy - so wear appropriate shoes and plan accordingly! Dogs are allowed on leash.

5. Overpass Pond Loop - Brady

The shortest trail on this short list, the Overpass Pond Loop is almost too enchanting to be real. If you're like me, you'll love hanging out on the dock beside the water, which is almost certainly guaranteed to be nice and quiet. Brady is a small town in Nebraska with big soul, and the pond you'll find yourself observing here is a little oasis of perfection in an otherwise low-key location.

So, there you have it: five amazing hiking trails in Nebraska that promise much-needed peace and quiet. Do you have a favorite low-traffic hiking trail in the Cornhusker State? Tell me about it in the comments. If you're interested in bumping your hiking game to 11, I strongly recommend checking out AllTrails Plus - I do not know what I did before I had it. Get those hiking boots on and let's go! There are adventures to be had.