Papillion Park
Rate this placeNearby: Lavista Park Faulkland
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Papillion Park is a popular destination located in the state of Nebraska.
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Summary
The park is known for its beautiful scenery, wildlife, and variety of recreational activities. Visitors to the park can enjoy hiking, picnicking, fishing, biking, and more.
One of the main points of interest in Papillion Park is its extensive trail system, which winds through the park and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The park also features a large lake, which is home to a variety of fish and other aquatic wildlife.
Other popular attractions in Papillion Park include playgrounds, sports fields, and a disc golf course. The park also hosts a number of special events throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, and holiday celebrations.
Interesting facts about Papillion Park include its history as a former site for a gravel quarry, and its designation as a National Wildlife Refuge. The park is also home to a number of rare and endangered species, including the eastern massasauga rattlesnake and the regal fritillary butterfly.
The best time of year to visit Papillion Park depends on personal preferences and the activities visitors are interested in. Spring and summer are popular months for hiking, fishing, and outdoor recreation, while fall offers stunning foliage and cooler temperatures ideal for hiking and camping. Winter visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the park's snowy landscapes.
Overall, Papillion Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a relaxing and beautiful getaway in Nebraska.
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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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