Standing Bear Lake Park
Rate this placeNearby: Ponca Plains Park Susan Picotte Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Standing Bear Lake Park is a captivating recreational area located in Omaha, Nebraska.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
This 685-acre park offers numerous attractions and activities that make it an ideal destination for visitors of all ages and interests.
One of the primary reasons to visit Standing Bear Lake Park is its stunning natural beauty. The park features a picturesque 135-acre lake, surrounded by lush greenery, which provides a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The park's walking trails and picnic areas allow visitors to enjoy the scenic surroundings, making it a perfect spot for outdoor enthusiasts, families, and nature lovers.
Standing Bear Lake Park also offers excellent opportunities for fishing. The lake is well-stocked with a variety of fish species, including largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, and crappie. Fishing enthusiasts can cast their lines from the designated fishing piers or rent boats from the park's marina. Additionally, the park hosts fishing tournaments throughout the year, providing a competitive atmosphere for anglers.
For those seeking recreational activities, Standing Bear Lake Park has several amenities to offer. The park boasts a well-maintained swimming beach, where visitors can cool off during the hot summer months. Additionally, there are multiple playgrounds, volleyball courts, and horseshoe pits, ensuring that there is something for everyone.
Interesting facts about Standing Bear Lake Park include its rich history. The park is named after Ponca Chief Standing Bear, who famously fought for Native American civil rights in the late 19th century. The park also played a significant role in the development of Omaha's flood control system, with the lake serving as a reservoir to prevent flooding.
The best time to visit Standing Bear Lake Park largely depends on personal preferences and activities of interest. Spring and summer are popular seasons, offering pleasant weather for outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and picnicking. Fall can be an excellent time to visit for those looking to enjoy the changing foliage and cooler temperatures. Winter provides opportunities for ice fishing, as well as the chance to experience the park's peaceful atmosphere without the crowds.
To ensure accuracy, it is always recommended to verify information across multiple independent sources.
Weather Forecast
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.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Lake Cunningham
|
||
Glenn Cunningham Lake
|
||
N. P. Dodge Mem Park
|
||
Friendship City Park
|
||
Walnut Creek - Papillion
|
Ponca Plains Park
Susan Picotte Park
Autumn Heights Park
Glacier Creek Preserve
Willow Wood Park