State Parks Near Lincoln, Nebraska
21 state park units lie within 50 miles of Lincoln, including 2 parks across the line in Iowa. The closest is Conestoga Lake State Recreation Area, about 10 mi west of town. 10 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Conestoga Lake State Recreation Area10 mi west
- Within 25 miles
- 10of 21 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 164 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 0pets allowed
State parks near Lincoln, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Lincoln; driving distance is usually longer.
Conestoga Lake State Recreation Area
Things to do include winter sports, hunting in season, boating, fishing, and biking. On the water side, there is a boat ramp. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Conestoga Lake State Recreation Area →Pawnee Lake State Recreation Area
Visitors come for horseback riding, winter sports, canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, and boating. Water access includes a swimming beach and a boat ramp. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Pawnee Lake State Recreation Area →Wagon Train State Recreation Area
Popular activities here are hunting in season, boating, swimming, fishing, and biking. Water access includes a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and a fishing pier. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Wagon Train State Recreation Area →Bluestem State Recreation Area
Popular activities here are winter sports, hunting in season, boating, swimming, and fishing. On the water side, there is a swimming beach and a boat ramp. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Bluestem State Recreation Area →Stagecoach Lake State Recreation Area
Visitors come for hunting in season, boating, fishing, wildlife watching, and picnicking. Water access includes a boat ramp and a fishing pier. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Stagecoach Lake State Recreation Area →Branched Oak State Recreation Area
Popular activities here are horseback riding, winter sports, hunting in season, boating, and swimming. Water access includes a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and a fishing pier.
Hours, fees and rules for Branched Oak State Recreation Area →Olive Creek State Recreation Area
The park supports hunting in season, boating, fishing, wildlife watching, and picnicking. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Olive Creek State Recreation Area →Memphis Lake State Recreation Area
Things to do include hunting in season, boating, fishing, wildlife watching, and picnicking. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Memphis Lake State Recreation Area →Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
The park supports cross-country skiing, horseback riding, winter sports, canoeing and kayaking, and boating. On the water side, there is a swimming pool. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Eugene T. Mahoney State Park →Blue River State Recreation Area
Things to do include hunting in season, fishing, and wildlife watching.
Hours, fees and rules for Blue River State Recreation Area →Schramm Park State Recreation Area
The park supports biking, wildlife watching, picnicking, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Schramm Park State Recreation Area →Platte River State Park
Popular activities here are horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, and fishing. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming pool. There are also cabins for rent.
Hours, fees and rules for Platte River State Park →Louisville State Recreation Area
The park supports cross-country skiing, winter sports, canoeing and kayaking, boating, and swimming. On the water side, there is a swimming beach and a fishing pier. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites and showers).
Hours, fees and rules for Louisville State Recreation Area →Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area
In Saunders County, about 2 miles north of Wahoo, Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area covers about 1,597 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area →Two Rivers State Recreation Area
Visitors come for horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, swimming, and fishing. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and a fishing pier.
Hours, fees and rules for Two Rivers State Recreation Area →Rockford Lake State Recreation Area
Visitors come for winter sports, hunting in season, boating, swimming, and fishing. On the water side, there is a swimming beach and a boat ramp. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Rockford Lake State Recreation Area →Arbor Lodge State Historical Park
Things to do include historic sites, wildlife watching, ranger programs, picnicking, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Arbor Lodge State Historical Park →Riverview State Recreation Area
Popular activities here are winter sports, boating, fishing, wildlife watching, and picnicking. On the water side, there is a boat ramp. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites and showers).
Hours, fees and rules for Riverview State Recreation Area →Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area
Visitors come for winter sports, boating, swimming, fishing, and wildlife watching. On the water side, there is a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and a fishing pier. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area →Blackburn State Park
Things to do include horseback riding and hiking. For overnight stays there are campsites (RV sites with electric hookups and tent sites). There are also cabins and lodge rooms for rent.
Hours, fees and rules for Blackburn State Park →Lake Manawa State Park
Visitors come for horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, swimming, boating, and fishing. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Manawa State Park →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Lincoln
- Conestoga Lake State Recreation Area 10 mi west · Campground listed
- Pawnee Lake State Recreation Area 11 mi west · Campground listed
- Wagon Train State Recreation Area 13 mi south · Campground listed
- Bluestem State Recreation Area 14 mi southwest · Campground listed
- Stagecoach Lake State Recreation Area 15 mi south · Campground listed
+ 11 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Lincoln
- Eugene T. Mahoney State Park 24 mi northeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Platte River State Park 27 mi northeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Two Rivers State Recreation Area 33 mi northeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Blackburn State Park 49 mi east · Cabins or other roofed stays
Swimming near Lincoln
- Pawnee Lake State Recreation Area 11 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
- Wagon Train State Recreation Area 13 mi south · Beach, pool or swim area
- Bluestem State Recreation Area 14 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Branched Oak State Recreation Area 15 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Eugene T. Mahoney State Park 24 mi northeast · Beach, pool or swim area
+ 6 more in the list above
Hiking near Lincoln
- Conestoga Lake State Recreation Area 10 mi west · Hiking trails listed
- Pawnee Lake State Recreation Area 11 mi west · Hiking trails listed
- Wagon Train State Recreation Area 13 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- Branched Oak State Recreation Area 15 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- Memphis Lake State Recreation Area 24 mi northeast · Hiking trails listed
+ 10 more in the list above
Fishing near Lincoln
- Conestoga Lake State Recreation Area 10 mi west · Fishing listed
- Pawnee Lake State Recreation Area 11 mi west · Fishing listed
- Wagon Train State Recreation Area 13 mi south · Fishing listed
- Bluestem State Recreation Area 14 mi southwest · Fishing listed
- Stagecoach Lake State Recreation Area 15 mi south · Fishing listed
+ 12 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Lincoln
What is the closest state park to Lincoln?
Conestoga Lake State Recreation Area is the closest, about 10 miles west of Lincoln in a straight line. Next are Pawnee Lake State Recreation Area and Wagon Train State Recreation Area.
How many state parks are near Lincoln?
21 state park units are within 50 miles, and 10 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Lincoln have camping?
16 parks list camping, the nearest being Conestoga Lake State Recreation Area, Pawnee Lake State Recreation Area and Wagon Train State Recreation Area. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Lincoln?
None of the parks listed here say dogs are allowed. Check each park page before bringing a pet.
Are there free state parks near Lincoln?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near Beatrice, NE37 mi south
- Near Fremont, NE45 mi north
- Near Omaha, NE45 mi northeast
- Near Columbus, NE56 mi northwest
- Near Grand Island, NE88 mi west
Or see all Nebraska state parks, Iowa state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.