10 Top Places To Visit In Nebraska This Fall
Fall is always an incredible season to travel, especially in a place like Nebraska. From mid to late October, when foliage peaks, this state becomes super gorgeous, flaunting its dazzling array of colors across its state parks, vineyards, pumpkin patches, farms, and forests. Additionally, many events and festivals are held in various communities during this season, making them even more satisfying. Without further ado, come with family and friends to these top places in Nebraska to experience the picturesque views and autumn activities that will create memories of a lifetime.
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, Ashland
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park is a scenic recreational public space along the Platte River near Ashland. While it is naturally beautiful across all seasons, the park flaunts more beauty in the fall when its leaves put on picturesque colors. Meanwhile, many forested hills around the park overlook the river and sample these colors to the admiration of visitors. The best views of this season’s scenery in the park can be witnessed from the 70-foot-high Walter Scott Jr. observation tower, looking down on the Platte River Valley surrounded by greenery and the colors of autumn. There are also various picnic spots within the park to relax, eat lunch, and savor the views.
Lewis and Clark Scenic Byway
The Lewis and Clark Scenic Byway is a charming fall destination along the Missouri River, offering a scintillating experience that transcends history. Notable as the route taken by Lewis and Clark on their famous expedition, the road stretches between Fort Calhoun and South Sioux, offering unobstructed views of attractions like the wooded bluffs of Loess Hills as they glow in picturesque foliage glory. The Blackbird Scenic Overlook is also on the route, offering more charming views of the picturesque Missouri River as it mirrors the mesmerizing colors of the surrounding leafage. Still, on the route, adventurers can stop at the Summit Lake State Recreational Park to bask in the autumn scenery while boating, fishing, and hiking around its lake.
Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway
Driving on a scenic byway is one of the relaxing ways to watch the charming colors of fall as they put on a festival of rainbow displays. Thankfully, the Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway (NE-12) is one of the best places to capture the season’s spectacle. Stretching for 231 miles from Ponca to Valentine, this byway takes adventurers on a ride through Nebraska’s diverse countryside, where jaw-dropping scenery and three state parks await. Hit this trail and be sure to stop at Niobrara State Park to relish the foliage surrounding the confluence of Niobrara and Missouri Rivers from a scenic viewpoint. The park also offers opportunities for hiking, camping, kayaking, and wildlife watching. Meanwhile, Ponca State Park is another popular stop for more scenery and adventures, including horseback riding and kayaking. Also, adventurers on the road will get to see Smith Falls, Nebraska’s tallest waterfall, and several establishments that preserve the region’s rich history.
Lewis and Clark Lake Recreation Area
The Lewis and Clark Lake Recreation Area is an exciting spot on Lewis and Clark Lake, perfect for a fall getaway in nature. In fall, this 864-acre area is framed by lush, dense foliage, catching the eyes for its spectacular combination of red, orange, and yellow. While the lake presents more than a handful of activities in a regular season, like summer, the fall season brings an exciting, visual twist to each experience. As adventurers hike around, kayak, boat, and fish on the lake or enjoy picnics on its banks, the enchanting colors of autumn, especially on the trees, are unforgettable. These views are better seen than told.
Roca Berry Farm, St. Roca
The Roca Berry Farm in St. Roca occupies 180 acres of farmland lavish with strawberries, pumpkins, winter squash, and gourds. When the fall season peaks from mid to late October, the farm becomes a beehive of family-friendly activities as it hosts a fall festival. The festival runs from mid-September to the end of October and features over 50 fun family games and events. Some of these include harvesting pumpkins as a family and enjoying hayrides, including the hayride on a scary farm for those who would fancy a spooky vibe. There is also a corn maze to explore and discover an exit, a barrel coaster to ride, and a pumpkin land photo ops section to take incredible photographs for the memories.
Fanny’s Fruit Farm and Pumpkin Patch, Gurley
The Fanny's Fruit Farm and Pumpkin Patch offer a unique angle to experience the magic of falls in Nebraska. Beyond parks and rivers, a laid-back way to bask in the beauty of falls is to explore this three-acre farm in Gurley, picking pumpkins and painting them to spice things up. Besides pumpkins, visitors can also have fun picking berries and apples, especially with the family. Other exciting activities available on the farm during the fall include hayrides, a treasure hunt in a corn maze, and a bale bonanza experience. Meanwhile, there is a coffee shop where visitors can enjoy a cup of fresh brew before embarking on the many fall activities on the farm.
Fontenelle Forest, Bellevue
Fontenelle Forest is a private, non-profit nature center in Bellevue, occupying 1,500 acres of prairie, dense forests, and wetlands. The forest is home to 17 miles of hiking trails to explore its charming fall foliage, including the one-mile Riverview Boardwalk with magical views of the Missouri River. The boardwalk is wheelchair accessible and also suitable for kids. More lovely views of the adorable foliage are available at the 0.32-mile Ridge Trail that runs along both sides of a ridge, terminating at a bluff looking down on the Missouri River. The Prairie trail of 0.42 miles is also worth hiking as it stretches over the top of a ridge through an oak woodland, where the colors of foliage are simply spectacular.
Niobrara National Scenic River
The Niobrara National Scenic River offers one of the most enchanting views of autumn in Nebraska. Nothing beats the beauty of elegant tall trees colored in hues of red, orange, and yellow, reflecting on the shimmering waters of a river. And that is exactly what this river offers. In the fall, tourists can kayak, tube, or canoe on the water while admiring the reflection of surrounding trees in the water as they glow in their charming colors. Adventurers will also appreciate the sights of magnificent waterfalls that flow into the river, flanked by the colorful foliage of tall grass prairies and ponderosa pines. More activities offered include fishing and wildlife watching. Meanwhile, the river is spanned by up to 15 bridges, six of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Nebraska City
Nebraska City is an incredible place to be when trees shed their leaves. This charming town is famous for hosting the 260-acre Arbor Day Farm, which is lavish with a host of activities, from a tree adventure to a nature ride and shopping, among others. In this park, there is something exciting for everybody, including children, and the picturesque views of fall foliage are everywhere. Other amazing attractions to visit in the town in the fall include Arbor Lodge State Historical Park and Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard. Notably, the Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard is hosting the 2024 edition of the world-famous AppleJack festival, scheduled in late September.
This festival attracts up to 80,000 people annually and presents a host of fun activities, from carnivals to flea markets. Meanwhile, activities in the park include wine tasting and apple & pumpkin picking, and it also hosts more exciting events, including the 2024 Scarecrow Festival (Sep 30 to October 13, 2024).
Indian Cave State Park, Shubert
The Indian Cave State Park, named after the magnificent sandstone cave within its borders, is one of the most beautiful destinations in Nebraska in fall. Across 3,052 acres of land bordering the Missouri River, this park boasts a stunning assemblage of dense hardwood forests, with 22 miles of trails weaving through it.
The main activities in the park to enjoy the colors of autumn include hiking, biking, horseback riding, and picnicking. However, hiking is the best way to soak in the incredible landscape one step at a time. Trail 2 (1.1 miles) and Trail 3 (1.2 miles) are some of the top trails here to explore as they wind through hills and offer charming views of the Missouri River and surrounding foliage from scenic overlooks. Additionally, the park hosts the Haunted Hollow Festival every October, and visitors can partake in the event, which features family-friendly games and hayrides, among other exciting activities.
Fall is one of the best seasons to explore the outdoors in Nebraska, as nature comes all out to put on a show in varying colors. Every outdoor activity during this season is complemented by the views of lush green trees and blossoming flowers, as the fragrance of fresh foliage dominates the air. Whether you are leaf peeping, plucking pumpkins, picking apples, or taking a scenic drive along one of the beautiful byways, the beauty of fall is undeniably spectacular in Nebraska.
