Walnut Creek Recreation Area
My nearby escape.
Walnut Creek is my favorite lake walk in the Omaha metro. First, it’s the closet on for me. Second, it’s a long walk, but not too long, clocking in at about three miles around the lake. Lastly, it’s a beautiful place.
My ex-girlfriend introduced me to this spot years ago. It sits just off the southwest corner of 96th Street and Highway 380, with an entrance on 96th. But, I prefer to go to the back side where there’s another parking lot. On this side, you’re greeted by a boardwalk that stretches over the lake. It’s a beautiful intro.
The trail itself is just challenging enough with a mix of climbs and descents all while being pretty enough to distract in the tougher spots. There are benches along the route if you need to rest. Signs around the lake say it’s about an hour walk, but I’m usually able to complete it in about 50–55 minutes.
I love this place. It’s currently where I go when I need to decompress. We all should find a place like this.