Brown County: Long Pine Creek, Lakes, and History

If you’re looking for a hotel for a trip to Brown County, you can plan around the things that matter to you. Long Pine Creek is home to a hiking trail and the Cowboy Trail bridge; several lakes offer different fishing and boating options. Historical exhibits and the museum in Ainsworth round out the outdoor attractions. Water destinations differ in access and rules, so narrowing down the activities you want to enjoy can make your planning more specific.

Hiking and Scenery at Long Pine

Long Pine State Recreation Area covers 153 acres and extends along both sides of Long Pine Creek. A scenic one-mile hiking trail adds a specific route to the area. Near Long Pine, the Cowboy Trail bridge also spans Long Pine Creek. It is 595 feet long and 145 feet high.

The trail and the bridge offer different points of interest: one is a route to explore on foot, while the other is a structure on the Cowboy Trail spanning the creek. If you’re interested in hiking or the trail’s route, these details provide two specific starting points for planning your trip.

Lakes, Fishing, and Rules on the Water

Keller Park State Recreation Area offers fishing in five small lakes. There are also hiking opportunities, and a rustic footbridge crosses Bone Creek. This brings water-based and on-foot activities together in the same area.

Plum Creek Valley WMA has pedestrian access to Plum Creek and primitive camping. The area is stocked with rainbow trout twice a year. Both access to the creek and the opportunity for basic camping are relevant when planning a visit.

Boats with electric motors or without motors are permitted on Tower Lake. Access is limited to daytime hours, and there is also a basic boat ramp.

Cozad Lake, which covers 80 acres, is also known as South Pine WMA. Boats are limited to a maximum speed of 5 mph, with no wake. The lake also has an improved boat ramp and primitive camping.

Different rules matter when choosing between Tower Lake and Cozad Lake: at Tower Lake, the permitted boat types and daytime-only access are important; at Cozad Lake, a speed limit and no-wake rule apply. Both lakes have a boat ramp: a basic one at Tower Lake and an improved one at Cozad Lake.

Public fishing is permitted at Clear Lake. At the east end, there is access for boats and ice fishing away from the main road. This also identifies a seasonal fishing opportunity at a specific access point.

Wildlife Watching and Local History

At Keller Park, visitors can watch songbirds, white-tailed deer, mule deer, ducks, hawks, and eagles. This adds another activity for nature enthusiasts alongside hiking and fishing.

The Sellors Barton Museum in Ainsworth was dedicated in 1936. The Brown County Historical Society’s Dixon House features historical exhibits. The society also maintains a county school in its original setting, which likewise features exhibits. Each site offers a different focus: a museum with a specific historical date, a house with exhibits, and a school in its original setting.

Another historical reference is Hidden Paradise Resort, which opened in 1912. The opening year adds to the region’s history; it is not a statement about current operations or access.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Ainsworth, Valley County, Washington County, Colfax County, Richardson County, Cass County, Dodge County, Gage County.

For the main travel overview: Nebraska.