I love Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, but I’m most familiar with the park in the summer. However, we’ve started visiting on unseasonably warm winter days and discovered a whole other side to the park. We enjoyed it so much, I decided to share my tips for visiting Mahoney State Park in the winter. Turns out, it’s worth a visit during the winter, especially with kids.
UPDATES: This post was first written in 2019 and has been updated in November 2024.
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Where is Mahoney State Park?
Mahoney State Park is located in southeastern Nebraska along Interstate 80, about midway between the state’s two largest cities, Omaha and Lincoln. It’s roughly 30 miles from each city (give or take). Take exit 426 off of Interstate 80 to get to the park. That exit happens to get you to a variety of fun family destinations in the winter. Two I recommend would be the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum and the indoor education center at Schramm Park.
Should you do a day trip or overnight trip to Mahoney?
Living in Omaha, Mahoney State Park is almost always a day trip for us. However, may family has made whole weekends of a visit, and I recommend trying it at least once. Booking a cabin in the winter is a lot easier than trying to reserve a cabin the busy summer season (and it’s cheaper).
Look for non-holiday weekends for your best options. Cabins are discounted by 30% in the off-season.
It’s worth noting that Mahoney State Park also has a lodge. The rooms at the lodge are much cheaper than a cabin. It’s similar to staying at a hotel, but staying at one without a pool. The lodge has the park’s only restaurant (Carl’s At Mahoney), so there is that perk.
Indoor winter activities at Mahoney
First, the indoor stuff. This is my favorite since I hate being cold. Luckily, Mahoney has a few very good indoor options for active families. The current hours and event schedule can be downloaded here.
Activity Center
One must-visit place is the Activity Center. If you’ve never been, you’re going to wonder why you hadn’t been here sooner with the kids.
For $2 for adults and $3 for children ages 3-12. Kids under 2 are admitted free. That low-cost admission gets families endless play on their indoor playground. It’s pretty sweet, even for a grown up. Don’t be shy, put down your smart phone and get in there and play with your kids.
The Activity Center also has an outdoor covered ice rink, with a $3 skate rental fee (as of this post updated). If it’s fairly warm, part of that rink melts (duh), as was the case on the day we visited. We returned another month and managed to make our shaky way around the rink.
The newest addition my family has loved at the Activity Center is the indoor wall climbing. It’s a pretty affordable, all-day activity. Buy the wristbands and have access to climb for the entire day. The cost is $10 for adults and and $12 for children ages 12 and younger. A kid’s combo pass for everything in the Activity Center is $12.
There is food available for purchase at the Activity Center, like pizza, hot dogs and nachos. You’re not supposed to bring in outside food or drinks. *supposed to*
Mahoney State Park conservatory
Not a far walk from the Activity Center is James Family Conservatory and Nature Center. It was renovated recently, and I’m excited to see what’s been updated.
The conservatory is a great place for a quick warmup if it’s particularly freezing outdoors. It feels downright tropical in there, and is a nice respite from Nebraska winters. It’s small but there’s a lot to look at, including a fish pond and little waterfall.
In a separate room, there are a couple aquariums featuring native Nebraskan animals, like snakes and a turtle. The kids liked looking at them.
Mahoney State Park’s Craft Center is located inside Owen Marina. The hours of operation vary in the off-season, so it’s best to check with the Park Office before going.
The Kountze Memorial Theater features melodramas throughout the year, and in the off-season, the occasional magic show.
What to do outdoors at Mahoney State Park in the winter
A big outdoor draw at the park is the toboggan run located near the Activity Center. I recommend you BYOS (bring your own sled), but you can also rent a sled for $3 on the days that the Activity Center is open.
The toboggan run at Mahoney State Park is a pretty nice, long hill but not too steep. I like that it was far enough away from trees that I could relax. And, this is a FREE activity, if you bring your sleds.
Mahoney also opens its outdoor putt-putt course, weather permitting. It’s $3.50 per person. Pick up the clubs and balls from the Kiewit Lodge Front Desk. You can also rent disc golf supplies at the lodge. Pay $3 for a single disc or $5 for three. Again, it’s weather permitting.
Another FREE activity is hiking around the park. While I prefer my hikes when I can feel my fingers, trails are still open at Mahoney in the winter. Some people bring their own snowshoes.
Just be warned, Mahoney isn’t the best place for hikes in this part of Nebraska. There aren’t a lot of trails at this park.
The park has a couple of lakes, and it’s entirely feasible that you could ice fish on them. In fact, there’s an annual event designed to show you how to ice fish. I’ve tried it with the kids! If you have your own equipment and a fishing license, you can fish at Century Link Lank and Owen Marina. You have to be 16 or older to it on your own.
Special events at Mahoney
I recommend checking the Nebraska Game & Parks calendar before planning your visit. You may be able to time a winter visit to coincide with a memorable holiday event or family-friendly event. Some of the events that have been promoted recently include:
- First Hike on Jan. 1, 2025
- Zoology for Beginners on Jan. 3, 2025
- Cold Days, Warm Hearts at Mahoney on Jan. 11, 2025
If you go to Mahoney State Park
Where: Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, 28500 West Park Highway, Ashland, Nebraska
Cost: You need a valid Nebraska State Park annual pass or you can pay a daily admission per vehicle.
Ice Rink conditions: (402) 944-2523, Ext. 7122
