13 Ways Mahoney State Park is an Exciting Vacation
This place surprised me.
Mahoney State Park is a GREAT vacation with so much to offer!
Eugene T Mahoney State Park is nestled in southeastern Nebraska along the Platte River.
State parks might not always land on the top of everyone’s travel list as something that is exciting, but this one’s a treasure trove waiting to be explored.
The park’s surroundings are simply breathtaking, situated just 4 miles from the town of Ashland (Population: 3,191) right in between Omaha & Lincoln.
And let me tell you, Mahoney State Park isn’t just a popular park – it’s an experience.
It’s a bustling hub, especially during the summer months when it attracts a lot of visitors seeking nature’s embrace.
Mahoney is a 700 acres of land state park and it has lots of activities to offer those who come and stay.
Here are some different things available and I will also tell you a little on what we loved as well!
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
Family Fun Activities
There are a lot of activities at this state park, some of the activities are free to do and some cost to be able to experience.
While we weren’t able to do everything while we were there at Mahoney State Park, we did learn about each of them to see if it was something our family wanted to experience!
Horseback Trail Rides
Head to the riding stables to find some beautiful horses to go horseback riding on a trail ride!
These horses are easy going and enjoy the attention that all the people were taking turns leaning over to pet and watch those who weren’t trail riding.
There is also a pony merry-go-around that kids can ride. These ponies seem to know exactly what to do! 😂 Walk in a circle. ✅
Both of these are available Memorial day through Labor Day and come with a cost. See the visitor service guide for updated times and cost.
Water Park
The Family Aquatic Center is THE summer hotspot! With a wave pool, water slides, and more there is something for everyone.
This state park pool has so many things to offer a family, one of them is the awesome water park to beat that summer heat!
One of the days while we were vacationing at Mahoney we went to the water park. It was huge with a lot to do & a lot of fun!
This water park offers so many water features including a dump bucket that kids can stand under and get dumped on when it fills up, inner tubes to ride the waves on the wave pool, water-play activities for little kids, zero-entry wave pool, and so much more!
We were not too sure what to expect from this Nebraska water park that seemed like it was so far from a big city. But it did not disappoint!
The water park is open between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Hiking Trails
There are over 6 miles of trails that take you through the park that’s both paved and a simple nature trail.
When we first got there, we spent time on the paved trail wandering around to see all the things Mahoney had to offer.
We happened to stumble upon the James Family Conservatory and Nature Center, which was a sweet treat to stumble into.
The conservatory and nature center was a walk through of different plants and there was a waterfall in one of the buildings.
Later in the afternoon we went on the nature trails to see all nature had to offer in this area. It too was a neat experience.
Observation Tower
If you are up to walking up a lot of steps, you get to witness the stunning view of the Platte River Valley from the observation tower, offering stunning views and photo opportunities.
There is something about being way up in the air and looking down on the river that gives you the feeling of peace as you watch mother nature do her thing.
Biking
You can rent bikes at Mahoney for a fantastic way to explore all the park.
These rented bikes are suited for paved trails, it’s a great place for biking enthusiasts.
We looked into these rented bikes, but we weren’t able to rent them because they were too big for our kids.
But it would have been a neat experience!
Recreational Activities
Borrow sporting gear like soccer balls, footballs, basketballs, volleyballs, and more from Owen Marina, provides you with some fun entertainment and is perfect for a day of outdoor fun.
There are sand volleyball courts, basketball court, tennis courts, softball backstop, horseshoes, disc golf course, and playgrounds that you can utilize for free while you are there.
The playground was also pretty big and neat!
Picnic tables are spread out through the park to use as well.
All of this is free for the public to use!
Owen Marina
The Owen Marina is a pretty rustic, neat looking marina. Not only does it have docs, but it also has a bridge you can fish from. You can also fish on the side of the lake. No fishing pole? No problem, you can borrow a fishing pole for free at the marina!
You can also rent a paddle boat to go out on Baright Lake. Which is what we did. It was a relaxing couple of hours as we paddled and floated around the lake.
You can also buy food to feed the fish…or geese. Who would follow the paddle boat waiting for food! The kids absolutely loved it.
Note: You can also fish from Centurylink Lake that’s in the state park as well.
Ape Treetop Adventure Course
Ready for a big adventure? Try ziplining from tree to tree 40 feet in the air! With this adventure course, you will spend 2 to 3 hours testing your adventure skills.
There are 25 unique obstacle courses while up there.
Find out more information on the website. This adventure ropes course is seasonal.
Live Performances
Catch live performances year-round at the Denman and Mary Mallory Kountze Memorial Theater, featuring various shows and entertainment!
Mini Golf & Driving Range
Enjoy a pretty neat 18 hole miniature golf course.
There is also a driving range that you can rent clubs from if that interests you.
Activity Center & Venture Climb
The activity center is a huge obstacle course that is an indoor playground for kids to run and play.
In the same building, there is a venture climb that is a rock climbing facility that has over 20 different courses to climb.
If you are up for testing just how good you are at rock climbing, there is an area that you can climb 15 feet up with no harness or rope!
There is also a concession stand available. Check open dates and times on the website.
Ice Skating and Sledding
In the same building as the activity center and venture climb, you’ll find the ice skating rink that’s open during the winter months.
You can embrace the chilly weather with ice skating (weather dependent) and sledding at the park.
I love how Mahoney State Park tries to offer activities throughout every season. While we were there in the summer, maybe someday we will get to try out their ice skating and sledding!
Planning Your Stay
State Park RV Camping
Not only is this a state park for RV camping but you can also pitch a tent for a budget-friendly overnight stay.
Tents and RV sites are set up in the same camping areas. We were all together and had full hookup at each spot.
Our family camped out at Mahoney State Park for three nights. This actually means I didn’t sleep for three nights because we camped in a tent and air mattresses and I don’t agree with each other. ⛺
But besides that, we had an absolute blast!
Check out the state park map to determine where you want to camp.
Cabins & More
Mahoney has plenty of different options for lodging other than camping out.
There are over 50 different state park cabins. There are also 40 rooms in the main lodge, Peter Kiewit Lodge, that are more like hotel rooms.
The gift shop is also located in the lodge.
One thing we noticed as we drove by to look at the cabins is how nice they are. Some are also pretty big! These are the 6 bedroom cabins.
We immediately started talking about bringing our whole family to Mahoney for a mini vacation and we cannot wait to get it planned.
Things to do close to Mahoney State Park
If you are on the hunt for Nebraska places to visit, you can also explore nearby attractions, there is the Strategic Air and Space Museum, a Wildlife Safari Park, and more within a short drive from Mahoney!
There are so many interesting things in Nebraska and a lot of it is near Ashland NE!
