Places to Run in Omaha

Best Places to Run in Omaha

Omaha and its surrounding area boast a huge variety of trails, including several lake loops, out-and-backs, and a few soft surface nature trails. Use this helpful guide to pinpoint the routes that are right for your run!

The trails are listed here from west to east. Click the link to see our recommended route on Strava. 

Chalco Hills Rec. Area

• Chalco Hills is a beautiful nature area and trail, offering both 4- and 6-mile loops around Lake Wehrspann. Rolling hills make Chalco a slightly more challenging route than other trails in town, but beautiful views of Lake Wehrspann make the route worth the elevation gain. A separate 2-mile nature trail on the southernmost tip of the lake provides a softer surface for trail runners.
• Surface: Road, trail

Flanagan Lake

• Lake Flanagan is a reservoir in northwest Omaha that offers just over 5 miles of trail. Shade is somewhat hard to come by here, but trail goers will be rewarded with a flat course and glimpses of native birds and other wildlife.
• Surface: Road

Lake Zorinsky

• One of the more popular trails in the city, Lake Z provides runners with a beautiful and relatively flat trail that lends itself especially well to long runs. The east and west sides of Zorinsky are 3 and 4 mile loops, respectively, and they are linked by a spacious underpass beneath 168th St. Water fountains are dotted along Zorinsky’s paths, though they are only activated during summertime. Highlights of the route are the sweeping half-mile long dam, the pine tree grove on the northeast side, and stunning lakeside views all around. Deer and wildlife can often be spotted on the trail around dusk or dawn.
• Surface: Road
• Connections: West Papio Trail via the Lake Zorinsky Connector Trail across 156th St.
• Fleet Feet tip: Runners can park at Fleet Feet Omaha-Legacy and cut through a neighborhood to reach the Lake Zorinsky Trail.

Standing Bear

• Standing Bear Lake is almost exactly 3 miles around, making it the smallest lake trail in the city. The course is flat: runners will accrue just 91 ft. of elevation gain per loop. A floating bridge over the water on the trail’s west side is a unique segment that provides trailgoers with a serene panoramic view of the lake in full.
• Surface: Road

West Papio Trail

• Weaving through neighborhood parks, across a beautiful prairie, and under major roads; the West Papio Trail is 18-miles long end-to-end. It essentially runs from northwest Omaha all the way to Bellevue, with a slight diversion near Millard. Runners can easily connect it to Lake Zorinsky using an easily-navigable neighborhood trail.
• Surface: Road
• Connections: Lake Zorinsky via the Lake Zorinsky Connector Trail, Big Papio Trail at the southernmost point

Big Papio Trail

• Just four miles east of the West Papio Trail, the Big Papio Trail cuts through central Omaha. 8.5 miles end-to-end, the trail follows a creek for its entirety and offers a select few scenic views. Those looking for extra mileage can take the Big Papio far south and link it with the Keystone Trail near 72nd St.
• Surface: Road, trail
• Connections: Keystone Trail via Wenninghoff Rd.

Prairie Queen Rec. Area

• Located in Papillion, Prairie Queen is a reservoir circled by a 4-mile long running path. The trail has low elevation gain, but it is relatively unshaded. Prairie Queen’s trail is used by the Cornfield Cornfield 10K, the annual summertime race hosted by Pink Gorilla.

Lake Cunningham

• Nestled in northwest Omaha, Lake Cunningham is a gorgeous, clean, and well maintained trail. One loop of Lake C is an even 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), making it a popular spot for long runs and local races. A robust dirt trail system also lies on the northernmost end of the lake, just north of Bennington Rd. Additionally, Lake Cunningham is one of the few lakes in the city that has campsites available, and it’s a popular spot for fishing and watersports.
• Surface: Road, trail
• Connections: Keystone Trail via Wenninghoff Rd.

Keystone Trail

• A centrally located trail that runs right by Fleet Feet Aksarben, the Keystone can be connected to Cunningham on the north and the Big Papio on the south. The entire route is just under 10 miles end-to-end.
• Surface: Road
• Connections: Lake Cunningham (via Wenninghoff Rd.), Big Papio Trail (via Q St. near 72nd St.), and the South Omaha Trail (via Karen Park)
• Fleet Feet tip: Stop by Fleet Feet Omaha-Aksarben to say hi, stock up on fuel, and grab a free cup of water!

Elmwood Park/Memorial Park

• Elmwood and Memorial Parks are among the most beautiful places in town, not restricted to just running trails. Towering pine trees line the majority of Elmwood Park’s winding paths, and the rolling green fields of Memorial Park make for a lovely and serene landscape. Runners can explore the vibrant trails, admire stunning homes along Happy Hollow Blvd., and smell the roses (literally) at the Memorial Park Rose Garden. Located between the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the historic Dundee neighborhood, this trail is popular with a wide variety of individuals. Elmwood Park and Memorial Park are connected by a pedestrian bridge over Dodge St., and the full loop is ~4 miles.
• Surface: Road
• Connections: Keystone Trail via Pacific St. or Aksarben Village
• Fleet Feet tip: Adventurous runners should veer off the path to find the home of famed investor Warren Buffet on Farnam St., a unique pedestrian underpass beneath Dodge St. on 51st St., charming downtown Dundee on 50th & Underwood Ave., and a hidden bridge in the northern part of Elmwood Park.

Field Club Trail

• A prime rail-to-trail route, the Field Club is one of Omaha’s hidden gems. Trees line the trail and careen overtop, providing ample shade. In total, the trail is just over 2 miles long, and it can be connected to the South Omaha Trail via a short jog on 36th St. Just off the path runners can find the historic Field Club neighborhood and golf course, as well as Hanscom Park. Field Club is the trail used by Scriptown Running Club, which meets weekly on Thursday evenings.
• Surface: Road
• Connections: South Omaha Trail via 36th St.

South Omaha Trail

• A short but scenic trail, the South Omaha Trail connects the Keystone Trail on its west end to the Field Club Trail on its east. Along the route, runners will pass Buena Vista High School and use former railroad truss bridges to bypass major roads. The trail from end-to-end is slightly under 3 miles.
• Surface: Road

Riverfront Trail/Heartland of America Park

• See firsthand Omaha’s storied history and downtown beauty on the Riverfront Trail. On its Nebraska side, the Riverfront Trail will take you through treasured areas such as the Heartland of America Park, Gene Leahy Mall, and the Lewis & Clark Landing. And after crossing the iconic Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge into Iowa’s River Edge Park, it’s difficult to beat the view of the Omaha skyline reflected in the Missouri River. The trail 
• Surface: Road
• Fleet Feet tip: If you’re running this route, it’s a great opportunity to explore downtown Omaha! Creighton University’s gorgeous campus and the historic Old Market district are just a stone’s throw away.

Wabash Trace Nature Trail

• There is perhaps no prettier trail in the Omaha Metro than the Wabash Nature Trace. A canopy of trees casts soft light for nearly the entirety of the trail’s 63 miles. Cross old railroad bridges, carve through grassy ravines, and take in the surplus of greenery all around. The trail is extremely flat, making it a local favorite.
• Surface: Crushed limestone
• Fleet Feet tip: Run the Wabash in late September or October to see the vibrant rush of colors on the trees above.

Hitchcock Nature Center

• Nestled in the Loess Hills near Crescent, IA, Hitchcock Nature Center is a beautiful haven for hikers and trail runners. Many scenic views and turnoffs provide sweeping panoramas of the surrounding area, and the rugged, hilly terrain is not to be underestimated. When running here, it’s easy to forget that you’re in the Midwest. Hitchcock is especially gorgeous at sunrise and sunset, and the trees explode with color in autumn.
• Surface: Dirt trail