Big Elk Lake Recreation Area is a recreation area in Papillion, Nebraska, spanning 46 acres of park land and featuring a 13-acre lake. The area's generally flat terrain, including a paved trail system and over 30 acres of native grassland, provides accessible environments for outdoor activities. This recreation area offers opportunities for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, and jogging. The lake itself is a notable feature, serving as a regional detention basin and supporting aquatic habitats.
53
Routes
4.7
(18)
Average rating
646
People visited

11
hikers
13.7km
03:32
70m
80m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
hikers
4.47km
01:09
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
3.11km
00:49
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

32.1km
08:07
50m
50m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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19
riders
31.1km
01:49
160m
160m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
29.7km
01:44
130m
130m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
26
riders
48.8km
02:50
130m
130m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
19
riders
29.8km
01:48
220m
220m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(2)
71
riders
39.3km
02:06
60m
60m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

78
riders
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

43
riders
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

21
riders
62.7km
03:45
280m
280m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(1)
40
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

18
runners
7.23km
00:45
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

15
runners
15.2km
01:37
110m
110m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
runners
7.62km
00:48
60m
60m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Big Elk Lake Recreation Area offers opportunities for hiking, jogging, touring cycling, and road cycling. The area also features a 13-acre lake suitable for non-motorized boating like paddleboards and kayaks. Visitors can explore various routes and guides for these activities.
Yes, Big Elk Lake Recreation Area features a 1.1-mile (1.8 km) paved hiking and biking trail that loops around the lake. This trail connects to a broader paved network within the Papillion Creek corridor, offering extended walking and jogging options. Find more details in the Hiking in Big Elk Lake Recreation Area guide.
The recreation area's paved trails are suitable for both touring and road cycling. The 1.1-mile (1.8 km) lake loop is a starting point, with connections to the larger Papillion Creek trail system for longer rides. Explore routes in the Cycling in Big Elk Lake Recreation Area guide.
The 1.1-mile (1.8 km) paved loop around Big Elk Lake features relatively flat terrain, making it suitable for easy hikes and walks for all fitness levels. The area is considered family-friendly, with ADA accessible fishing piers and a convenient kayak launch. Consult the Family-friendly hikes in Big Elk Lake Recreation Area guide for more information.
Big Elk Lake Recreation Area spans 46 acres and includes a 13-acre lake and over 30 acres of native grassland. The lake serves as a regional detention basin for stormwater and supports an aquatic habitat. A large water quality basin helps manage sediment and nutrients.
The recreation area provides picnic shelters and restrooms for visitors. It also features ADA accessible fishing piers and a convenient kayak launch, making it inclusive for various mobility levels. The lake is designated for non-motorized boating.
Big Elk Lake Recreation Area has received an average rating of 4.73 out of 5 stars from more than 1,600 visitors on komoot. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users who have explored the area's routes and activities.
Yes, komoot offers a dedicated guide for running enthusiasts. The paved trails, including the 1.1-mile (1.8 km) loop and connections to the broader Papillion Creek network, are ideal for jogging. Find detailed routes in the Running Trails in Big Elk Lake Recreation Area guide.
The main paved trail at Big Elk Lake Recreation Area is a 1.1-mile (1.8 km) loop around the 13-acre lake. This trail also connects to a larger paved network, allowing for longer excursions beyond the immediate recreation area.
Official information about Big Elk Lake Recreation Area is available through the City of Papillion, Nebraska. The relevant details can be found on the City of Papillion's Facilities page. For general inquiries, the Papillion City Hall can be reached at 402-597-2000.
Yes, the paved trail system within Big Elk Lake Recreation Area and its connections to the Papillion Creek trail network offer traffic-free cycling opportunities. These routes are suitable for both touring and road cycling. Consult the Traffic-free bike rides in Big Elk Lake Recreation Area guide for more details.

