Cottontail Natural Recreation Area

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Cottontail Natural Recreation Area is a popular destination in the state of Nebraska that offers a range of outdoor activities for visitors.


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Summary

This 256-acre park is located about 20 miles east of Lincoln and is known for its scenic beauty and diverse wildlife.

Some of the top reasons to visit Cottontail Natural Recreation Area include hiking, fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing. The park features several miles of trails that wind through the woods and prairie, providing opportunities for visitors to explore the natural beauty of the area. Fishing is also a popular activity in the park's five-acre lake, which is stocked with a variety of fish species.

There are several points of interest to see within the Cottontail Natural Recreation Area, including a butterfly garden, an observation tower, and a nature center that offers educational programs and exhibits about the local ecosystem. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, rabbits, foxes, and a wide range of bird species.

Interesting facts about the Cottontail Natural Recreation Area include its history as a former farmstead that was converted into a park in the 1970s. The park's prairie ecosystem is one of the largest remaining in Nebraska, and it is home to several rare and endangered plant species.

The best time of year to visit Cottontail Natural Recreation Area is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its peak. Visitors can enjoy hiking and wildlife viewing during these seasons, and camping is also available at the park's campground.

Overall, Cottontail Natural Recreation Area is a must-visit destination in Nebraska for anyone who loves the outdoors and wants to experience the state's natural beauty and wildlife.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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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