- Biking
- Cabins
- Camping
- Disc golf
- Fishing
- Food service
State Park
28500 W. Park Highway | Ashland, NE 68003
Located midway between Nebraska’s two largest cities, Lincoln and Omaha, this modern state park is the perfect year-round destination for a family escape. Visit Mahoney’s aquatic center and indoor playground, explore the park’s hiking and biking trails, adventure through the treetop ropes course, climb the observation tower and, when the weather turns cold, enjoy indoor rock climbing, sledding and ice skating.
The jewel of the park is Peter Kiewit Lodge, which offers 40 guest rooms, most with balconies that offer a stunning view of the Platte River valley. The park also offers an arts and crafts center, an array of cabins, as well as camping opportunities.
Friends enjoy a campfire at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park's Peter Kiewit Lodge in Cass County. Jeff Kurrus, Copyright Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Fishing at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park's CenturyLink Lake. Jeff Kurrus, Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park offers pony rides, as well as trail rides. Jeff Kurrus, Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
The sledding hill at the Activity Center at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park. Jeff Kurrus, Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Mini-lodge cabin at Mahoney State Park. Jeff Kurrus, Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Venture Climb, the indoor rock climbing wall at the Activity Center at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park. Jeff Kurrus, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
The ice skating rink at the Activity Center at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park. Jeff Kurrus, Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
The Activity Center is open year-round and hosts a large indoor playground with fun tubes, slides, net bridges and ball pit. Parents can either join in the fun or sit and relax while enjoying food and beverages from the on-site concessions. Housed within the Activity Center is Venture Climb, a 42-foot climbing wall. During winter, visitors can also enjoy the connected Ice Skating Pavilion.
Explore the newly renovated Nature Center, with live animal exhibits and interactive nature activities. The center is connected to the James Family Conservatory, where you can see tropical plants and a working greenhouse. Visitors can also enjoy time relaxing in the new serenity garden and birding area.
Looking for the ultimate outdoor adventure? Get ready for a totally unique outdoor experience. Way more than just zip lines, Go Ape is a two- to three-hour journey through the forest canopy. Our high-ropes adventure course features suspended obstacles, breathtaking zip lines and incredible views. A variety of courses are available for all ages.
Go Ape is officially closed for the 2024 season. Learn more.
The Activity Center hosts a large indoor playground with fun tubes, slides, net bridges and ball pit. Birthday parties can also be booked at the Activity Center! Call the park to schedule a celebration.
Connected to the Activity Center is the Ice Skating Pavilion, which is open during winter (see more in our “Winter activities” tab).
Located in the Activity Center, Venture Climb features a 42-foot climbing wall and bouldering structure. Climbers are treated to scenic views of the park through the facility’s floor-to-ceiling windows. Venture Climb is great for both novice and experienced climbers and is ADA-accessible. Personal equipment is permitted but must first be inspected by an employee. Climbers or their guardians (for 18 and under) must sign a waiver in person prior to using the facility.
Monday, Thursday & Friday: 4-8 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Closed Tuesday & Wednesday
The Family Aquatic Center includes a swimming pool with water slides, diving area, zero-entry wave pool, water playground, sun deck and concession area. Three brand new slides, starting from a towering 45-foot structure, will provide exhilarating experiences for parkgoers in 2024.
The Aquatic Center is closed for the season.
Mahoney State Park offers horse trail rides May through Labor Day for adults and children age 6 and over. Trails begin at the John Wayne Stables. Tickets may be purchased at the Administration Office. Pony rides are available for children age 3 to 9.
The Esther Marie Daniel Miniature Golf Course offers 18 holes of family fun. The course is open during the summer months. Currently, the course is closed for renovations.
Work on your golf swing at the John R. Lauritzen Driving Range. Golf clubs and ball rentals are available at the Peter Kiewit Lodge through the fall.
The park also offers an 18-hole disc golf course, which hosts occasional tournaments and other events throughout the year.
Paddleboats are available to rent during summer months at this charming marina located on Baright Lake.
Owen Marina also offers fishing rods and reels for loan, free of charge, during business hours.
Owen Marina offers a concession stand, along with camping supplies, basic groceries and sundry items for sale. The marina serves sandwiches, snacks and drinks from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Some concession items may be limited.
Located at the Owen Marina convenience store, the arts and craft center is a spot where kids can paint ceramics, learn the art of leather tooling and create wood crafts and other projects.
Food and beverage options are now available at Mahoney’s Peter Kiewit Lodge, thanks to local restaurant and catering business, Carl’s at Mahoney. Enjoy delicious American-style food and scenic riverfront views at the restaurant and bar, featuring local beers, cider and wine, and classic drinks. Grab and Go options are also available, such as such as hot and cold drinks, rolls, donuts, pizza, fruit, salad, wine, beer, chicken strips, and hot and cold sandwiches.
Check out Carl’s at Mahoney’s Facebook page and website for more details, such as hours, menus, pricing and special events.
Live melodrama performances and magic shows take place at the Denman and Mary Mallory Kountze Memorial Theater each year. These family-friendly productions encourage audience participation for a fun, interactive experience. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park has collaborated with Popcorn Productions to host melodramas for over 30 years.
Experience magic with the Old Market Magician Ryan Chandler this winter! With a camera acting as a giant magnifying glass on stage, be sure not to blink as magic & audience members are projected on a large screen. The show runs under an hour and afterwards, you’re invited to stick around the lobby to see even more close-up magic. Tickets are $8 kids (12 and under) / $10 adults.
Sledding, cross-country skiing, ice skating, magic shows, ice fishing, special holiday activities and many other family events are all available during the winter months, depending on the weather.
Please call the park office at 402-944-2957 to check the current weather conditions for these activities.
Connected to the Activity Center, the Ice Skating Pavilion is open during the winter. Ice skate rental is available during Activity Center business hours. The ice skating season generally begins in mid-November, weather permitting, and is closed during warmer months.
Check out free summer naturalist programs throughout the park in June and July. Ask at the administration building or the front desk of the Peter Kiewit Lodge for a detailed brochure with times and locations.
The 70-foot-tall Walter Scott Jr. Observation Tower provides a sweeping, bird’s eye view overlooking the Platte River and the park.
The park offers a wide range of other sporting activities for park visitors including hiking/biking trails, sand volleyball courts, tennis courts and a softball diamond.
With its beautiful view, miles of tranquil trails and rustic cabins, Platte River State Park is a great complement to the more modern Mahoney State Park, and many visitors take advantage of both.
Schramm Park State Recreation Area offers scenic trails and picnic day use facilities. Renovated in 2019, the former adjacent Aksarben Aquarium was expanded into Schramm Education Center, a state-of-the-art nature, aquarium and interactive exploration center.
Louisville State Recreation Area is home to a brand new floating playground! It also offers excellent opportunities for RV camping, as well as five sandpit lakes that are popular with anglers.
The Strategic Air Command Museum showcases an impressive array of aircraft that helped SAC preserve the peace during the Cold War, as well as other exhibits relating to air and space craft.
Wildlife Safari Park is a four mile, drive-through North American wildlife adventure that brings visitors face-to-face with North American plants and animals such as elk, white-tailed deer, bison and waterfowl.
Quarry Oaks Championship Golf Course near the park offers a fabulous golfing experience set on the rolling wooded hills overlooking the Platte River. Contact Quarry Oaks to arrange your tee times up to 30 days in advance.
Beautiful Kiewit Lodge offers 40 guest rooms, each with, mini-fridge, microwave, coffee pot, AC and heat, wireless Internet, TV and a private bath. Sixteen have sleeping lofts and 24 have walkout decks that overlook either the park or the Platte River.
Secluded on wooded ridgetops, Mahoney State Park offers 60 cabins, 49 of which have two bedrooms, six of which have four bedrooms and five of which have six bedrooms. Each cabin has air conditioning/heat, fireplace, TV, refrigerator, range, cable TV, outdoor deck and grill and are open year round. The larger cabins are popular spots for extended families to get together.
Mahoney State Park offer Full Hookup, Electric Plus and Electric campsites. There are a total of 148 campsites. Lakeside Campground (100-148 campsites) are located close to Baright Lake and Owen Marina. Little Creek Campground (1-99 campsites) is close to a playground, basketball court and the coin operated laundry facility. Both campgrounds have drinking water, showers and modern restrooms. A dump and fill station is located conveniently near the park entrance.
Tent camping is available at Mahoney State Park in the two modern campgrounds. Tent campers will use the grassy area next to the pad site to set up their tent. Those tenting will pay the camping fee applicable to the site occupied. If making reservations, look for the site description of “tentable.” This means there is a level grassy space for a tent.
Reservations are accepted for half of the campsites in Lakeside and Little Creek campgrounds up to 180 days in advance of arrival date and paid in full at the time the reservation is made. All other camping at Mahoney State Park is first-come, first-served. Campers with advance reservations and those camping first-come, first-served must stop at the Lauritzen Administration building located at the park entrance to check-in or register to camp prior to setting up on a campsite. If arriving after hours, campers must go to the Peter Kiewit Lodge customer service desk and check in or register for a first-come, first-served site.
Mahoney State Park offers reservations for cabins and for half of the campsites. The remaining campsites are available first-come, first-serve. Guests can plan vacations, check for availability and make their reservations online 24 hours a day, seven days a week or can call the Nebraska State Parks reservation call center at 402-471-1414, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Mahoney State Park offers multiple facilities available for rent for conferences, workshops, family events and other group functions. Peter Kiewit Lodge offers several meeting rooms. Crete Carrier Riverview Lodge, popular for weddings and other larger group functions, offers a spectacular view of the park and includes a kitchen. The Activity Center’s ice skating pavilion, during warmer months, can host large events such as weddings, company picnics and special events. Catering is available. Additionally, picnic shelters and some of the larger cabins can accommodate large groups. For more information on renting a facility or to reserve a picnic shelter, call 402-944-2901.
The Venture Parks Education Team provides outdoor learning opportunities for our park guests. It is our goal to inspire appreciation and knowledge of natural and cultural resources while promoting greater understanding, support for and participation in conservation and outdoor recreation.
Park Pricing
A park entry permit is required to visit state parks and may be purchased at the park, statewide Game and Parks offices and permit vendors, or in advance of your arrival online. View those fees, as well as attraction and amenity pricing.
Reservations
Reservations are accepted for cabins, lodge rooms, and group lodges up to one year in advance of the arrival date. Reservations for camping are accepted up to 180 days in advance of arrival date. The Reservation Call Center hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (CT) and closed on holidays.
Park Events
Our 76 gorgeous state park and recreations areas host a plethora of events throughout the year. From bird hikes to kayak races, Living History events to family outdoor days, our parks host something fun for every outdoor enthusiast.
