Collins Park
Rate this placeNearby: Hammer Park Dryden Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Collins Park is a popular destination in Hastings, Nebraska, known for its beautiful scenery and recreational activities.
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Summary
The park boasts a wide variety of attractions that make it an attractive spot for families and nature lovers alike.
One of the main reasons to visit Collins Park is its scenic beauty. The park features a large lake that provides a picturesque backdrop for fishing, boating, and other water activities. Visitors can also take advantage of the park's numerous hiking and biking trails, which wind through wooded areas and provide stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Other points of interest in Collins Park include the Splash Pad, a water playground that is perfect for kids, and the Rotary Pavilion, which hosts concerts and other events throughout the year. The park is also home to several picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields, making it an ideal spot for a day of outdoor fun.
Interesting facts about Collins Park include its history as a former military training ground during World War II and its role in the development of Hastings as a major hub for agriculture and industry. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, wild turkeys, and a wide range of bird species.
The best time of year to visit Collins Park varies depending on the activities you are interested in. Spring and summer are ideal for water activities and hiking, while fall brings stunning foliage and excellent fishing. Winter can also be a great time to visit for ice fishing and other winter sports.
Overall, Collins Park is a must-visit destination in Nebraska for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty and outdoor activities that the state has to offer.
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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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