Lake Manawa State Park
The Trail
Manawa S.P. recreational trails are located on the very south-west edge of Lake Manawa State Park. It has many miles of twisty, windy single track, with a dash of log crossings and dips to keep it interesting. The relatively flat trail dodges left and right between trees, logs and bushes with only a few hundred feet of straight-away double track. There are two loops that make up the complete trail system.
The west loop is 2 miles. The east loop is 5 miles. Level is easy.
The Venue
Lake Manawa State Park has a lot to offer. It’s mostly known for Lake Manawa, a 772 acre oxbow lake with a maximum depth of only 10 feet. The lake offers a sandy beach, shore-line fishing, boat dock, picnic areas and more. Sailboats and jet skis are common sights on any sunny day. A paved biking path meanders around the lake, perfect for the whole family. Riverbank access to the Missouri River is also available at the west end of the trail head parking lot. Over-night camping is available in designated park areas, complete with modern facilities and electric hook-ups. There is no bathroom or running water at the trail head. Park anywhere in the parking lot. Please pack out all trash.
Getting There
From Omaha, take I-80 east to the Lake Manawa exit (Exit 3) onto South Expressway. Turn LEFT onto US 275/Rt. 92 (S. Omaha Bridge Road). Turn RIGHT at the first light. Turn RIGHT at the stop sign and follow the perimeter road around the lake. At the Missouri River boat ramp access sign, turn right and follow the road to parking lot. The information kiosk is on the south east corner of the parking lot, nearest to the boat ramp.
Trail Head
To enter the trail, look for single track entrance on the northwest corner of the parking lot or you can enter at the bottom of the entrance road. Follow the trail towards the river. This is the short loop. Once you come back out to the parking lot, look for the THOR kiosk on the south east corner of the parking lot. Follow the double-track into the long loop (the river should be on your right as you enter).
