Chalco Hills Recreation Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Chalco Hills Recreation Area is a beautiful park located in the state of Nebraska, offering a range of outdoor activities and stunning natural scenery.
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Summary
The park spans over 1,186 acres and features a variety of hiking trails, picnic areas, and fishing spots, making it an ideal destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
One of the main attractions of Chalco Hills Recreation Area is the scenic trail system that winds through the park. The trails vary in length and difficulty, providing options for hikers of all skill levels. The trails offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including rolling hills, meadows, and wooded areas.
Another popular feature of the park is the fishing opportunities. With several lakes and ponds, visitors can enjoy fishing for various species such as largemouth bass, catfish, and bluegill. The park also has picnic areas and shelters, making it a great location for family outings and gatherings.
Interesting facts about Chalco Hills Recreation Area include that it was established in 1977, and the park's name is derived from the Chalco Hills, which are a prominent geological feature in the region. The park is also home to a diverse array of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and a variety of birds.
The best time of year to visit Chalco Hills Recreation Area is during the spring and summer months, when the weather is mild and the park is in full bloom. The fall season also offers stunning views as the leaves change color. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy winter activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Overall, Chalco Hills Recreation Area is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore Nebraska's beautiful natural landscape and enjoy a range of outdoor activities.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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