Platte River State Park

State park · Nebraska

Wooded bluffs above the Platte River, roughly halfway between Omaha and Lincoln, carry cottonwood, bur oak, and green ash that color through most of October. Two observation towers on the ridgeline look out over the river's braided channel, and a trail along Stone Creek follows a shaded ravine down to Jenny Newman Lake.

Best for: a family day trip

Don’t miss

  • Observation tower views of the Platte
  • Stone Creek ravine trail
  • Cottonwood and bur oak color
Typical year

Peak: October 24–October 31

Climatological window from published records. The weather model’s elevation extrapolation isn’t reliable on this terrain, so this is the long-run normal rather than a season-specific forecast.

Source: http://digital.outdoornebraska.gov/nebraskaland-magazine/nebraska-s-varied-and-vibrant-colors-of-october-4

When to go to Platte River State Park

Peak usually arrives somewhere between October 24 and October 31. At 1,014 ft, it turns before the lower ground nearby.

Platte River State Park on the map

Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of Nebraska, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.

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Frequently asked

When does Platte River State Park peak?
In a typical year, color peaks around October 24–October 31. The weather model's elevation extrapolation isn't reliable on this terrain, so this is a climatological window (source: http://digital.outdoornebraska.gov/nebraskaland-magazine/nebraska-s-varied-and-vibrant-colors-of-october-4) rather than a season-specific forecast.
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