Thayer County, Nebraska Offers Outdoor Family Fun
Visit Thayer County to hike the Oregon Trail, fish and swim in beautiful lakes, observe wildlife like the majestic Whooping Crane, canoe down the river, hunt, play at the park and enjoy the best of midwest outdoor recreation. The beauty you can find here is what many people dream of and what we call our backyard.
Explore the Oregon Trail in Thayer County
Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Thayer County, and imagine a time long before Thayer County even existed, when the untamed area was crossed by the Oregon Trail and the Pony Express between 1843 and 1869. Thousands went west through Nebraska to Oregon’s Willamette Valley in search of farmland, while others split off to California in search of gold. Ruts of the Oregon Trail still exist near Alexandria today.
Explore the rich history of the Oregon Trail and the untamed wilderness crossed by generations passed with hiking, hunting, fishing or birdwatching rediscover yourself in Thayer County parks.
Parks & Rec in Thayer County
Hebron Sports & Rec Complex
Euclid Avenue and 7th Street
Hebron, NE 68370
With 2 volleyball courts, baseball fields, softball fields, batting cages, a playground, city pool, open fields and picnic spaces, the Hebron Sports & Rec Complex is a hub of activity for Hebron and the county.
Byron Community Center
A center for all sorts of community functions, the new center also houses the Byron Public Library, a state-of-the-art Fitness Center, a well-equipped modern professional Kitchen Facility and a great room for large gatherings. The Center was built with private funds raised by the residents and businesses of the village of Byron and the many farmers surrounding it.
Alexandria State Recreation Area
Three miles east and one mile south of town
Phone: (402) 729-5777
The 1,212 acre area is shaded by mature trees and offers hiking, wildlife viewing, picnic shelters and camping.
Twenty-five sites have 30-amp electrical hookups, and modern restrooms and concessions are onsite.
Alexandria State Lakes
Two recently reconstructed lakes which total 47 acres of water offer good fishing year round allowing electric trolling motors only.
7176 River Road (4 miles east and 1 south of Alexandria)
Alexandria, NE 68303
Phone: (402) 749-7650
Father Hupp Wildlife Preserve and Management Area
2 ½ miles west of Bruning in Thayer County
Spreads across 160 acres of rainwater basin wetlands in an excellent out-of-the-way area offering public hunting opportunities. A recent extensive restoration project and current management has focused on providing habitat for migratory waterbirds. Famously visited in 2015, by six Whooping Cranes, an endangered species and a top priority for conservationists. A spectacular sight to see America’s tallest bird, the Whooping Crane, a rare and endangered species with a wild population totalling only 300 individuals.
Prairie Marsh Wildlife Management Area
2 miles west of Bruning.
A Waterfowl Sanctuary.
Gabby’s Pond
This pond is stocked with fish in preparation for the Deshler Daze community celebration when each year it hosts a kid’s fishing contest, after which the pond is open for all to fish.
Play on the River
Little Blue River
Stretching across the southern edge of Hebron, Little Blue offers fishing, canoeing, hiking, and hunting. Look for the eagles that fly over the downtown businesses in the summer.
The Little Blue Wildlife Management Area
2 miles east of Hebron on the River Road, another great place for hunting, fishing and sightseeing. Look for the wild turkeys while traveling the River Road.