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The Keystone Trail is a popular urban-to-rural corridor for commuters and recreationists of all stripes: college students, business professionals, families, and others who desire access to Omaha's many universities, parks, and business districts. The paved pathway follows the Papillion Creek corridor for over 15 miles through the western neighborhoods of the city.
About the Route
The northernmost endpoint of the trail is located in Somerset Park, but the first 2 miles of the trail are not continuous and interrupted by several gaps. The continuous route has a northern endpoint at Democracy Park and heads south into town.
For the majority of the trail, the route is perched atop the flood control levees of Little Papillion Creek, occasionally crossing back and forth over the water on bridges along the way. The concrete-surfaced corridor runs wide and, especially in the more park-like northern section and in the agricultural expanses of the south, grasshoppers can be found alongside the trail corridor.
While the trail only runs on an actual rail bed for 2.3 miles, the railroad's influence can't be missed. Just before Mile 1 is a high railroad bridge that the trail passes under through a sheltered awning. If train cars are stopped on the tracks, the effect is a powerful reminder of the area's industrial past. Before Heritage Park, a wooden trestle rests across the riverbank to the east. Pilings can also be spotted along the trail, usually near creek crossings.
A portion of the Keystone Trail runs through an industrial park area; however, the automobile traffic isn't a problem for trail users. The only time the trail isn't a flat gentle ride is when it dips beneath the roads on underpasses. Trail users can either access the road or avoid traffic altogether. Signs ask cyclists to be alert for oncoming trail traffic.
As the trail leaves the commercial district, the landscape reveals the vast, square tracts of farmland for which the Cornhusker State is known. Here, the trail enters several neighborhoods and parks where Little Papillion Creek flows into Big Papillion Creek as the trail approaches its southern endpoint along S 25th St.
Connections
Near the northern end of the route, the trail intersects with the Sorensen Parkway Trail.
Near Elmwood Park, the trail connects with the Boulevard Trail.
In Karen Park, the trail connects with the South Omaha Trail.
In Seymour Smith Park, the trail connects to the Big Papio Trail.
Near the southern end of the trail, the route connects to both the Bellevue Loop Trail and the West Papio Trail.
The Keystone Trail is part of the Paths of Discovery, a series of interconnected trails in the Greater Omaha region, Nebraska.
The Keystone Trail is part of the Great American Rail Trail, a 3,700-mile route from Washington to Washington D.C.
The Keystone Trail runs between Craig St. & Wenninghoff Road (Omaha) and Bellevue Loop Trail at S 25th St (Bellevue).
Parking is available at:
Please see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
There is a detour but you have to cross Dodge Street. Just wanted to share this info with riders. It closed now and will be for 5 months in this section. https://omaha.com/news/local/omaha-to-close-portion-of-keystone-trail-for-5-months/article_07b99bce-3852-11ee-bb43-3bcb2f7635e1.html
I always start my biking from democracy park (Keystone trails). This is 15 miles trails. I go there every next day. This trails is not bad for mountain bike but when you ride road bike some concrete slabs are unbalanced that’s why road bike has a problem. If they make it balance, it will help to ride smoothly. Thank you
Today was my first time running on this trail. The pavement was very well kept and it being a Wednesday the trail was not crowded at all- I think I ran past 5 or 6 people. Lots of geese along the creek but they don’t mind you. Overall very good trail and despite being in Omaha it wasn’t terribly hilly!
I recommend going on a weekday because the trail is pretty crowded friday-sunday. Enjoyable ride away from traffic, but nothing special.
Being from North Carolina, I don't see concrete bike trails as nice as this. What a delightful experience to ride on quality concrete, a wide path and beautiful scenery. Some of the underpasses have a steep uphill, but other than that the ride is level and very smooth. I enjoyed the view of parks, golf courses and occasional dairy farms as I biked north from the Culvers restaurant where I parked. This is a great investment for the people of Omaha and I hope they appreciate what a great thing they have here.
The trail is smooth, unless it has rained a lot, some parts of the trail gets covered up with mud. Few inclines on this trail, so its a great trail for beginning riders. My favorite part is riding south into Bellevue and looping around Offutt AFB watching the Doomsday plane fly over. Lots of farm fields and beautiful natural Nebraska to enjoy along the way too!
Enjoyed this trail for the first time today and was amazed by the maintenance and upkeep. I'll be enjoying this ride several times a week to and from work. Proud to have this available here.
This is as good as it gets as far as an urban trail goes. This runs through some of the busiest areas on the west side of Omaha, primarily north/sout, but you never know it on the trail, which goes under the road traffic. Completely paved and well maintained, you'll move faster than the traffic on 72nd!
I'm new to Omaha, I'm very impress with the Keystone trail, I came from Knoxville TN where we don't have such a nice trail. But I have some suggestions how to improve the experience of riding this trail.
The Marks on the trail is marks in KM instead of milages. Those marks are kind of small and on the trail concrete and not consistence. Many marks are missing. I suggest to set new marks on small pole or brick with color on the side of the trail and every 1/10 of a mile. Also the name of many street on underpasses are missing as well. Many of us ride on time and distance and improving the marks system will add very much to our riding experience.
I ride this trail a lot with my road bike. It's a very smooth ride, with very few inclines. Any uneven spots are clearly marked with pain so you can avoid them. Every intersection has an underpass so you won't have to cross any roads. The parking lot I usually use is in Bellevue when the trail starts. It's a 'calming' trail for me, mostly surrounded by nature but passing some busy spots like Nebraska Furniture Mart, a golf course, some ball fields, etc. All in all my favorite trail by far.
"The Keystone Trail is a very well maintained paved trail in the heart of Omaha. It weaves through residential and commercial areas. The trail goes underneath major roads which makes it a very safe trail. My only complaints is that the trail could be slightly wider and it would be nice to have more facilities right on the trail. But, a very enjoyable ride. For dining, the Marketplace downtown by the river has some very nice restaurants."
"The Keystone Trail is a great city trail!!! It runs from just east of 90th and Fort Streets (Democracy Park) to Highway 75, where it joins the Bellevue Loop Trail. This trail goes around Offutt Airbase and the water treatment plant to Hayworth Park. The Keystone also connects with the Big Papio Trail at Seymour Smith Park. The Big Papio starts just west of 90th and Center, Towl Park, and goes southeast to Seymour Smith Park. The Big Papio will soon be extended nothwest to 120th and Blondo. With these three trails, you can ride 40, 50, 60 or even 70 miles without messing around with traffic. "
"Omaha has a outstanding jogging trail system, all paved and wide, no street crossings, you can run your legs off. The only drawback is the long cold winters of the city."
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