Mahoney State Park
🏨 Nebraska’s Premier Full-Resort State Park — A 690-acre year-round mega-resort on the Platte River with a 40-room lodge, 60 cabins, 148 campsites, a family aquatic center with water slides, horseback riding, a 70-foot observation tower, 42-foot climbing wall, ice skating, live theater, Owen Marina, and a driving range — all at Exit 426 on Interstate 80
Midway between Omaha and Lincoln — at Exit 426 on Interstate 80, the busiest transcontinental highway in America — Eugene T. Mahoney State Park rises from the Platte River bluffs like something no one expects to find in Nebraska: a full-service, year-round outdoor resort that rivals the facilities of many national park lodges, complete with a 40-room Peter Kiewit Lodge overlooking the river valley, 60 modern housekeeping cabins, a family waterpark with slides and a wave pool, horseback riding through the Platte River bottomlands, a 70-foot observation tower, and a 42-foot indoor climbing wall.
Mahoney is not a wilderness park. It’s something rarer in the state park world: a purpose-built, four-season recreation resort that serves as the outdoor playground for the Omaha-Lincoln metro corridor (2+ million people within 45 minutes). In summer, families flood the aquatic center and the horseback trails. In winter, the park transforms into a cold-weather destination with ice skating, sledding, toboggan runs, and cross-country skiing. Year-round, the Peter Kiewit Lodge provides comfortable hotel-style accommodations with views of the Platte River Valley, and the Kountze Memorial Theater hosts live performances including melodramas that have become a Nebraska tradition.
Peter Kiewit Lodge
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Rooms | 40 guest rooms — some with lofts and river-view decks |
| Amenities | WiFi, TV, private baths, restaurant |
| Views | Overlooking the Platte River Valley |
| Season | Year-round |
Cabins and Camping
| Type | Quantity | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Modern Cabins | 60 | Year-round, full kitchen, AC/heat, grills |
| Campsites | 148 | Lakeside and Little Creek — full hookup and electric options |
| Reservations | — | Up to 180 days in advance |
Family Aquatic Center
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Water Slides | Multiple slides |
| Wave Pool | Zero-entry with wave action |
| Diving Board | Yes |
| Sun Deck | Lounging area |
| Season | Memorial Day – Labor Day |
Year-Round Activities
| Season | Activities |
|---|---|
| Summer | Aquatic center, horseback riding, hiking, fishing, marina, miniature golf, driving range |
| Fall | Hiking, foliage, theater, cabin retreats |
| Winter | Ice skating (mid-Nov to mid-Mar), sledding, toboggan runs, cross-country skiing |
| Spring | Sandhill crane migration (March), trails, birding, fishing |
Unique Facilities
- 70-Foot Observation Tower: Panoramic views of the Platte River Valley
- 42-Foot Climbing Wall: Indoor, year-round at the Activity Center
- Kountze Memorial Theater: Live performances, melodramas
- Owen Marina: Paddle boats, canoes, kayak rentals
- Horseback Riding: Seasonal trail rides (ages 6+), pony rides for younger children
- Miniature Golf and Driving Range
- Tennis and Basketball Courts
- Sand Volleyball
The Platte River Connection
Mahoney sits on the bluffs above the Platte River — one of the most important rivers in North American ecology. Every March, approximately 500,000 sandhill cranes stage along the Platte during their annual migration — one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on the continent. While the primary viewing areas are farther west (near Kearney), staying at Mahoney during crane season gives visitors access to the eastern fringe of this phenomenon.
Essential Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 28500 W Park Hwy, Ashland, NE 68003 |
| I-80 Access | Exit 426 |
| Hours | Year-round |
| Entrance Fee | Nebraska vehicle permit required |
| Phone | (402) 944-2523 |
Getting There
- From Omaha: 35 miles southwest (~35 minutes)
- From Lincoln: 35 miles northeast (~35 minutes)
- From Kansas City: 200 miles north (~3 hours)
- From Denver: 480 miles east (~7 hours via I-80)
Is Mahoney State Park more like a resort than a typical state park?
Yes — by design. Mahoney was purpose-built as a full-service, four-season outdoor resort. The 40-room Peter Kiewit Lodge rivals private resort hotels, with river-view rooms, a restaurant, and WiFi. There are 60 modern cabins with full kitchens, a family aquatic center with water slides and a wave pool, horseback riding, a 42-foot climbing wall, live theater, and winter activities (ice skating, sledding, toboggan runs). It’s the most facility-rich state park in Nebraska.
Can you see sandhill cranes at Mahoney State Park?
Mahoney sits on the Platte River, but the primary sandhill crane staging area is farther west near Kearney, Nebraska (about 150 miles). However, during March, cranes do pass through the eastern Platte corridor, and the park’s observation tower provides a vantage point. For the full experience (500,000+ cranes), plan a trip to the Rowe Sanctuary or Fort Kearny SRA during peak migration (late February to early April).
Park Location
Top Tours & Activities Near Omaha
from $12
from $20
from $10