Rockway Conservation Area — Attraction in Lincoln

Rockway USED to be a beautiful gem to hike, def WAS one of my fav places for YEARS. As of this year, the city has ruined what Mother Nature has provided. For one a place that used to have FREE PARKING in a cute stone lot is now paved and can’t even access the ugly lot unless you pay $9 to enter….yah, no thanks. They installed fences that take away from the natural beauty, and tried to make it into some bullshit tourist thing. MY BIGGEST ISSUE as of this year is THE GUN CLUB right beside (can also hear it from Louth). You could always hear gunshots every now and again from here years before, but I don’t know what has changed this year. Today was my third attempt to hike rockway (and parked on the road to avoid the stupid paid paved lot) BUT I am leaving in utter distress and agony and my ear drums in SO much pain. All 3 times I have attempted to hike, every couple SECONDS you hear VERY VERY LOUD gunshots over and over and over and over. It does not end. I tried going on a Tuesday, a Thursday and today was Sunday and still at 7pm you hear rifles banging off constantly. I did not consent to getting deep in the woods and risk losing my hearing. My head is pounding. Poor wildlife, barely any birds or anything around, “conservation area”….right….. My friend can’t even bring his dog there anymore because of the excessive noise, my other friends kid used to go with their camp and couldn’t go this year anymore because of it either. People who want to enjoy the sounds of nature and relax on a hike, especially now paying a fee to do so are bombarded with this absurd, extremely obnoxious sounds NONSTOP. I can guarantee that whoever is using these guns are consenting to this noise damaging their ears and wearing protective equipment while shooting, meanwhile the echo and closeness to people intentionally wanting to enjoy a leisurely hike are definitely not signing up for this. My eardrums are killing me at the moment! How is this acceptable or okay to have conservation areas right next to these gun clubs that are operating daily destroying the serenity and enjoyment of Mother Nature. I would upload the videos of the noise if I could but unfortunately can only load...

This park is amazing to visit every season, it'll always surprise you! Great for rock stepping lovers in the summer.

The parking lot near the community center will bring you closer to the Waterfall, if you take the path going left there is a quicker way to get down to the waterfall shaving off some time but you are nearly rock climbing downwards. It is very doable but requiring some agility be warned! You may go the easier way (path going right) which will be less steep and easier to tread down but you will be looking at backpedaling when you get out if you choose that path.

If you park down by the golf course you will most likely be at the end of the waterfall and looking at a lengthy hike requiring some fitness. Many people realize half way through their hike that they aren't getting closer and turn back, don't let that be you! If you plan to do the longer hike I would suggest bringing a friend who can park near the community center so when you reach the waterfall you do not have...

Visited Rockway Falls with a group of friends and my dog, Leonidas. The area is beautiful and peaceful, with lush green trails, moss-covered rocks, and a scenic little waterfall at the end. Definitely worth the trip once you’re on the right path.

That said, it’s easy to take a wrong turn — we ended up on a flooded trail and had to backtrack through mud and water. The trails could use better signage, so I’d recommend checking a map before heading out. Also, we picked up a few ticks along the way, so wear long pants and check yourself (and your dog) after.

Once we found the right trail, it turned into a really fun day. A bit of an adventure with a few unexpected hiccups, but a memorable hike overall. Great for dogs, but not super beginner-friendly if the trail’s been hit by rain recently.

Would return — just with bug spray and a better sense...