Lake Manawa
About 13 miles southeast of Omaha, across the Missouri River, you will find Lake Manawa State Park, the 1,529-acre parkland that holds the ever-popular 772-acre Lake Manawa.
This is the 'premier boating spot in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area' and provides seemingly endless outdoor recreation options for visitors. Here are just a handful of the things you can do during your visit:
- Hike
- Bike
- Swim
- Boat
- Picnic
- Camp
- Wildlife Watch
There are onsite rentals for tubes, kayaks, canoes, paddleboats, and fishing gear. Fishers will love the opportunity to catch crappie, bluegill, catfish, bass, and walleye while here, and wildlife lovers, in general, will appreciate the local wildlife and birding opportunities. You can also take advantage of horseshoe pits, sand volleyball, onsite snacks and beverages, and children's playgrounds such as the Dream Playground featured in the video below.
This lake was created during the 1881 river flood that happened in this area, the river channel cutting off a portion and making this 'oxbow' lake. The term Manawa is Native American for 'peace and comfort', which is exactly what you will feel here during your visit!
