Oak Creek Trail
13 miles through the heart of eastern Nebraska farm country, from Valparaiso to Brainard.
The Oak Creek Trail runs 13 miles through Saunders and Butler counties on a former railroad right-of-way. It passes through quiet small towns, farmland, and oak woodland along Oak Creek, offering a peaceful escape through a part of Nebraska that few visitors see.
Trail Information
- Length: 13 miles
- Location: Valparaiso (Saunders County) to Brainard (Butler County)
- Surface: Crushed limestone
- Uses: Biking, walking, hiking
Counties & Towns Along the Trail
Saunders County
Valparaiso · Wahoo (nearby)
Butler County
Brainard · David City (nearby)
Points of Interest
- Oak Creek corridor — wildlife habitat with deer, turkey, and songbirds
- Czech heritage communities of Butler County
- Rolling eastern Nebraska farmland views
History
The Oak Creek Trail follows a former railroad corridor that once connected these small farming communities to regional markets. Butler County has a strong Czech heritage — Brainard is one of the most Czech communities in Nebraska — and the trail passes through this culturally rich landscape.
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