There’s nothing to make you appreciate a favorite place quite like experiencing it from a different angle. You may already know and love Mahoney State Park as much as everyone else in Nebraska, but there’s a whole other way to see it that most people don’t think about.
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park is located in Ashland, between Omaha and Lincoln. It’s one of the most popular state parks in Nebraska and has recently enjoyed some very impressive upgrades.
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But one of the most beloved parts of the park is one that’s been there for ages already: the Walter Scott Jr. Observation Tower.
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Plenty of us drive right up to the base of the tower to climb to the top, but for a unique adventure, why not try walking the park trail?
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You’ll start out at the Peter Kiewit Lodge on the east side of the park. The 2.1-mile loop trail starts out from there and runs to the northwest.
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There are some great scenic views along the way, including frequent glimpses of the river.
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The path can get a little overgrown at times, but it’s never really challenging. Even the little members of the family can handle this one.
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Enjoy the park as you wander through some of the prettiest places. The trail is fairly heavily trafficked, but there are times you’ll have stretches of it to yourself.
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A little more than halfway through your hike, you’ll come to the Walter Scott, Jr. Observation Tower. The 70-foot-tall tower is one of the park’s most defining features.
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Climb to the very top for one of the most spectacular views you’ll ever see of the Platte River.
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The view is very special at any time, but if you can time your hike just right, you’ll get to see the sunset from up here, and that’s just magical.
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Watch as the sinking stun delicately kisses the land for as far as your eye can see, and you’ll remember why you love Nebraska so much.
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After you descend the tower, it’s just a short jaunt to finish the loop trail and get back to your car. This hike is definitely the perfect way to end a day at one of the state’s premier parks.
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Mahoney State Park is located at 28500 W Park Hwy, Ashland, NE 68003. For some of the other great activities at this beloved location, read our previous articles here, here, and here.
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