Walking the Two Rivers Trail to the Platte River (in Winter)

Trail Stats

📍 Location: Two Rivers State Recreation Area – near Waterloo, Nebraska

📏 Length: Approximately 2.0 miles (loop) 

⏱ Estimated Time: About 30–40 minutes at a casual walking pace 

🥾 Difficulty: Easy – minimal elevation gain (around 9 ft), flat and beginner-friendly 

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This is why it’s perfect for:

• kids
• dogs (on leash ✔️)
• audiobook listening
• eagle spotting
• yorkies with strong opinions about leaves

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Today was an abnormally warm day for the end of February here in Nebraska. It’s crazy to think a week ago today, the kids were home for a snow day and today I was able to go hiking. I would’ve even worn shorts except for the fact that my pale legs would blend in with the little bits of snow that remains and nobody would be able to find me if I got lost. Safety first you know! Oh, you just have to love Nebraska weather!

I’ve been doing Physical Therapy for my knee and foot so I didn’t want to undo my hard work and overdo it while hiking. I decided one of the trails at the Two Rivers State Recreation Area would be just the easy, scenic place I needed. There are two trails out there. The one leading to the Platte River was said to be good this time of year, so I was convinced to give it a try.

I tell you what, there is something about this trail that instantly slows your breathing… unless you’re being aggressively towed by a 5-pound yorkie who thinks every leaf is a personal threat.

The path itself is easy to follow and gently winds through tall grasses, mature trees, and open skies that Nebraska does so well. It’s not a strenuous hike at all and would even be great for kids. It felt so good to be off the city paved trails and get my hiking shoes back in the mud. It looked like there were some other potential routes that I can’t wait to come back and explore more.

I can see how, depending on the season, the experience would really be different. This time of year (winter) the trees were bare but we were rewarded with some seriously cool bird sightings. We saw a bald eagle (which felt very majestic and National Geographic of us)… and what felt like approximately 700 cardinals darting through the trees.

As you approach the Platte River, the landscape opens up. The trees thin, and suddenly you’re standing near the water — calm in some spots, gently moving in others — while your yorkie debates whether or not swimming is an option. You actually get to walk alongside the water for a while — which was exactly what my soul needed today. I had Bob Goff’s audiobook Everybody, Always playing in one ear, and the sound of the river in the other.

It was peaceful. Reflective. Grounding.

Why I Love This Trail

• It’s accessible and family-friendly
• It doesn’t require a huge time commitment
• It feels tucked away, even though it’s close to town
• It accommodates both peaceful walkers and tiny overprotective security dogs

In a season of busy schedules and constant noise, this trail feels like a reset button — even if your reset includes leash tangles and dramatic yorkie side-eyes.

If you’re local and haven’t walked from Two Rivers down to the Platte, I highly recommend carving out an hour to go. Bring water. Wear comfortable shoes.

And if you bring a yorkie… just know you’re not really in charge anymore.

Bonus: The Coolest Camping Option

One of my favorite unexpected features at Two Rivers? You can actually rent and stay overnight in restored train cars from Union Pacific Railroad. Yes — actual old railcars turned into unique camping cabins.

It’s like glamping met Nebraska history and decided to hang out by the river. The park offers refurbished cabooses from Union Pacific Railroad that have been transformed into cozy camping cabins. Each caboose sleeps up to six people and includes a small kitchen, bathroom, and shower — making it a fun mix of camping and comfort.

They’re typically available from mid-April through September and are perfect for a unique weekend getaway near the Platte River.

👉 Reserve your caboose here:
https://www.reserveamerica.com/explore/two-rivers-sra/NE/230175/1718/campsite-booking

Note: Pets aren’t allowed inside the cabooses — which may or may not be a dealbreaker depending on how your yorkie feels about adventure.

How fun would it be to stay in one!?!!? Bucket List item for sure!

With Love and Aloha,

Lacy

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