Oak Creek Trail

The Oak Creek Trail is one of Nebraska's most versatile recreational trails. The corridor was once occupied by the Union Pacific Railroad, but was taken out of service, using the federal Rail Banking process, in 1993. The trail was opened in 1996. An equestrian trail has since been added through the entire corridor and there are more than 100 registered geocaches hidden along the trail.

The Oak Creek Trail (when starting at the Valparaiso end) begins at the trail head near Highway 79 in Valparaiso (with ample parking for horse trailers) and follows the Bates Branch of Oak Creek out of town for several miles. The trail surface is crushed limestone. Trail parking, food and services can be found in all three communities along the trail.

The community of Loma marks the trails approximate halfway point. Perhaps best known as the filming site for the full-length motion picture, "To Wong Fu, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar", Loma is also home to St. Luke's Czech Catholic Shrine.

Just before reaching Brainard, the trail follows the top of a scenic ridge. Brainard offers a village park and swimming pool.

Geocaching involves looking for hidden objects using GPS and adds an exciting new dimension to this versatile recreational trail. Two Lincoln geocachers, Brady (bjmccacher) Holmes and Coby (twofingersdown) Boring were primarily responsible for establishing the 104 geocaches that make up the Oak Creek Challenge Trail during the winter of 2012-13. Learn more about geocaching at geocaching.com and more about the Oak Creek Challenge Trail here.