Fontenelle Forest
4.8(1.5K)google
4.7(51)yelp
NatureHiking
Overview
Fontenelle Forest is a 1,500-acre (6 km2) forest, located in Bellevue, Nebraska. Its visitor features include hiking trails, a nature center, children's camps, a gift shop, and picnic facilities. The forest is listed as a National Natural Landmark and a National Historic District.
Practical Info
Mon8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tue8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wed8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thu8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Fri8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sat8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sun8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Suggested Duration3-5 hours
Best TimeMid-October during the peak autumn foliage transformation along the Missouri River bluffs is unmatched. Arrive early between 7:00 AM and 9:30 AM to hit the high canopy boardwalk; the crisp morning air is active with pileated woodpeckers and white-tailed deer.
Getting ThereLocated south of metro Omaha at 1111 Bellevue Blvd N in Bellevue. Driving is the only reliable method: travel south from Omaha on US Highway 75 (US-75 S), take the Bellevue Blvd exit, and drive north for 1 mile to reach the nature center's large parking grounds.
Travel Tips
- Entry requires an $11 adult daily pass purchased at the nature center (federal interagency passes are invalid); the front open lot is free and matches long RVs, but the entire entrance access road gates lock sharply at 5 PM daily.
- The signature canopy boardwalk is a flat 1-mile accessible loop; however, branching into lower dirt river trails exposes hikers to deer ticks and copperhead snakes, requiring rugged long pants and pre-loaded offline topo maps.
- As a privately managed scientific preserve, all drone flights are strictly banned; open campfires and overnight stays are fully prohibited, and domestic pets of all categories are 100% barred from all forest trails.
Reviews
Positive
- A top-tier raw ecological forest nature reserve! Sprawling across thousands of acres of dense ancient woods with cliff overlooks offering shocking river views.
- The trail system is masterfully planned, highlighted by a 3-mile fully elevated accessible wood boardwalk, a perfect sanctuary for wheelchairs and strollers.
- The Raptor Woodland Refuge carries ultimate educational value, letting kids observe rescued bald eagles and red-tailed hawks up close in tree canopies.
- Service and management are highly professional; the visitor center features clear media, maintaining low crowd density and a soul-cleansing raw forest peace.
Heads up
- As a private nature reserve, it requires daily admission permits; families accustomed to free civic parks may find this entrance cost a bit high.
- Because the ecosystem is kept fully wild, summer ticks, poison ivy, and mosquitoes run rampant, meaning you cannot hike without strong bug repellent.
- Outside the main boardwalk, dirt trails heading to the river valley feature steep terrains that get muddy after rain, lacking handrails and testing stamina.
- The location sits 15-20 minutes away from downtown Omaha; surrounded by protected wild country, finding a convenience store or restaurant nearby is tough.