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Olson Nature Preserve

At the easternmost tip of the Sandhills is a crossroads of distinct ecosystems. The 140-acre area includes oak woodland, sandhills prairie, wetlands and a stretch of the Beaver Creek. It is the site where Logan Fontenelle, a chief of the Omaha people, was killed by a Sioux war party in 1855.
To find the preserve, go eight miles north of Albion on Highway 14, then left on a gravel road one mile to the entrance | Albion, NE

Oak Valley Wildlife Management Area

As the name indicates, the area includes 640 acres of a hardwood bottomland forest through which Battle Creek flows.
Located is 2½ miles south, one mile west of town | Battle Creek, NE

Yellowbanks Wildlife Management Area

Yellowbanks has 680 acres and is known for its turkey hunting.
Located three miles north of town on Highway 121, then 2½ miles west, ½ mile north and ½ mile west on a county road | Battle Creek, NE

Black Elk/Neihardt Park

Sits atop a bluff & includes the Tower of the Four Winds. Group tours by appointment.
Located at College Drive and 32nd Street | Blair, NE | (402) 533-4455
www.benpark.org

Hackberry Creek Wildlife Management Area

This area encompasses 235 acres along the Elkhorn River and is mixed woods and grassland, with several marshy oxbows.
The area is 1½ miles east and ½ mile north of town | Clearwater, NE

Pawnee Park

Includes the Andrew Jackson Higgins National Memorial www.higginsmemorial.com which includes replica of the famous Higgins boat, three bronze soldiers; World Trade Center steel sculpture; Quincentenary Belltower, that includes a collection of church bells that ring each quarter hour; Pawnee Plunge a water park featuring four slides, lazy river and Alligator Alley.
Columbus, NE | (402) 562-4269

Lake Babcock

A 600-acre lake.
Four miles north of Highway 30 on 18th Avenue | Columbus, NE | (402) 564-3171

Lake North

Two boat ramps are available, and power boating is allowed on Lake North. Activities include waterskiing, jetskiing, swimming, boating, camping (100 tents, 25 trailers), fishing, biking, hiking and picnicking – free of charge.
4 miles North at US Hwy 30 & 18th Ave | Columbus, NE | 888-564-3171
www.loup.com

Wilkinson Wildlife Management Area

It has 939 acres, including 300 acres of restored wetland.
Five miles west and one mile north of town | Columbus, NE

Flatwater Landing Wildlife Management Area

1½ miles south of Columbus, NE on Highway 81, east and north of the Platte River bridge