Cottonmill Park — Attraction in Nebraska

It was Beautiful, I choose to explore the Outlook across from the pond. It just a dirt road back in the fields behind the trees. This really was one of the most peaceful, quiet, and beautiful park drive I have ever seen. I was driving my rental car Nissan Altima, there's a very, very, steep road up and to the left of the entrance, this is the only path I saw that leads out into the field. Then it opens up and you can take an easy enjoyable ride along the dirt Road. It winds up and down, in and out of a line of trees. There is a lot of room out there you can walk or drive, but I will Caution there is a long, DEEP, divot just after the curve around the back, along the fence, just before the next Grove of trees is the Divot. This !!!!!CAN NOT!!!!! be seen from the road AT ALL!!!! The divet starts at the edge of the dirt, on the Right side. Then travels in a T shape, down the hill dropping deeper and deepaer, along the way. There is grass covering the hole!!! If your tire catches it you will end up in the hole. That happened to me the other day. There are no warning signs, to prevent this, even though , the locales know about it. It was a beautiful experience, until I meet my doom upon a cinder block, that was in the hole, covered by lots of grass. Also...

This is a park that is a good place for families to gather with a children's playground and picnic tables. There are places to throw out a yoga mat and get a practice in. There's fishing and frisbee golf, walking trails, and a "nature barn," which, upon investigation, seems to be a place where you can see farm animals when it's open. I've seen a little swimming beach that looks enjoyable. There may be rentals for paddle boats and a concession stand, but I have not used these services. The reason for not giving 5 stars is because when I drove there, parked, and started out on my bicycle ride, intending to use the bike trail, it was closed with no signage! Fortunately, I was familiar with the area and knew how to go a back route on the road. When I came back into the park, I saw 3 huge turkeys! A man came over as I was loading my bike and said that he saw a heron. There were the usual geese there as well. I travel for my job, and I would say, Kearney does have a very nice variety of parks. They do have restrooms. I have not seen a place where you can fill your water bottle. Therefore, I have had to stop and purchase water at the Scooters which is located...

Great places to get outdoors! There is a lake for fishing, a swimming hole in the summer, with lots of little tadpoles, which is a favorite thing for my daughter to do there! 😊 They have picnic tables set up sporadically throughout the park, a little playground area for kiddos and a nature barn where you can go see animals (pet & even hold some too!) I'm not sure of the hours for the nature barn, but I'm sure this info can probably be found on the Kearney website. I don't believe camping is an option but I could be wrong... Would be really cool if you could camp here though! 😁 Either way, it's a great place to go to get away for awhile, get out in nature and leave the screens...