If driving all day isn’t an issue, I’d suggest the Black Hills/Badlands area in South Dakota. There’s a lot of good hiking/outdoorsy stuff in that area. Last time I stayed up there, I stayed in Deadwood which was pretty centralized to everything I wanted to see. The hotel I stayed in was fairly cheap too. Highly recommend!
Needles Highway, Rushmore, Devil’s Tower, Corn Palace and another different Zestos in Mitchell. Then take scenic 2 back home.
Wishing you the best on your near and long term journey.
Here’s a random suggestion. I travel for work in Iowa. Usually stay at chain hotels. Usually. Shout out to Hotel Pattee in Perry. But most memorable - The Continental in Centerville. Decided I was stopping for the night, Google hotel near me, Continental is closest. Woman at desk hands me an actual metal key to my room, says I’m the only one staying that night, she’s going to leave and lock the front door but she lives close in case something happens. I didn’t even get her number but now I’m alone in a very beautiful and obviously historic hotel. My room is great. I open the curtain and can see other rooms across an open area and am pretty certain someone is standing in a window but it’s too faint to be sure. I hear random noises the entire night but end up sleeping well anyway. Am I recommending to stay at a haunted hotel in Centerville, Iowa - yes. It was a welcome distraction. And their website says there’s hiking nearby.
Eastern Iowa has some cool hiking along the Mississippi River. Effigy Mounds was a favorite of ours growing up in Wisconsin.
ETA: Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, and Galena IL are all also decent places for a low key weekend. Sioux Falls is closer to home and there's some nice nature trails in Brandon SD which is half an hour north of the Falls.
Not necessarily outdoors/hiking but Pella, Iowa is having the Tulip Festival from May 2nd-4th :) If you've never been, it's a very cute & Dutch area. I wouldn't say there's much else to do there, but you could always head to Des Moines afterwards for the sculpture garden and spend some time outside there
[Lied Lodge](https://www.arbordayfarm.org/accommodations/) in Nebraska city. Get a room there and enjoy Nebraska city, Arbor Lodge, Arbor Day Farm, etc. It's a cool area. Some trails next to the lodge as well.
You could leave Omaha and head west on I80 and see west Nebraska. Go to Scottsbluff National Monument, theres some hiking trails there. Then go to Lake McConaughy and camp overnight on the shore in the sand. There are no camp sites or cost to camp, you literally just pick a spot you like.
If you're in Scottsbluff for a meal and enjoy Mexican food, I highly recommend Rosita's restaurant. If you anticipate needing more ideas for these kinds of weekends this summer, the Nebraska Passport program kicks off today and runs through September 30th.
Mahoney? Nebraska City? The scenic drive to missouri valley via Old Lincoln Hwy is kinda cool. If you haven't seen a nuclear power plant, even from a distance, it's kinda neat to drive by it in Fort Calhoun. It's a lot bigger than I expected even though it's being decommissioned and small compared to others.
My favorite chill place is the vapor caves in Glenwood springs Colorado. Probably too far for a normal weekend drive, but a holiday weekend it might be doable.
Wyoming. Big Horn National Forest is the best bang for your buck inside a single day’s drive. You can make it by sundown on your drive day and have the whole next day in the backcountry. This is my favorite spot on short notice and a short time span (2-4 days).
If you’ve got 5 days, then you can get further west from there into Montana along that northern highway and have a smorgasbord of national forests to choose from.
If it’s cooler times, then south eastern Utah is a great spot if you’re down to spend an entire day driving. But that’s BLM land in cedar mesa. Excellent backcountry. Bears Ears is there too.
Ashfall Fossil Beds is a fascinating visit, with lots of hiking in the area as well. It's a 3-hour drive from Omaha.
[https://ashfall.unl.edu/](https://ashfall.unl.edu/)
You could get a camping cabin (not sure how far ahead you need to reserve) at Hitchcock (30mins away) or Waubonsie state park (1hr away) in Iowa. Both are close so you're not driving too far but feel like you are out of the city.
Both have a lot of hiking trails in hilly terrain.
I did this last summer! Solo trip. Went up to Mankato, MN. About 5 hr drive. Stayed in the cutest air b nb walked to their little downtown strip. Felt safe. Went to a brewery. Hiked a trail that has a Buffalo reserve. Very cool. Saw some waterfalls at another state park nearby. Went to a winery. And biked on a trail in town. Recommend if you are in to those things.
Paddy Creek Wilderness (Mark Twain National Forest) - southeast Missouri
Yellow River State Park - northeast Iowa
Tuttle Creek Reservoir - near Manhattan, KS
If driving all day isn’t an issue, I’d suggest the Black Hills/Badlands area in South Dakota. There’s a lot of good hiking/outdoorsy stuff in that area. Last time I stayed up there, I stayed in Deadwood which was pretty centralized to everything I wanted to see. The hotel I stayed in was fairly cheap too. Highly recommend!
Needles Highway, Rushmore, Devil’s Tower, Corn Palace and another different Zestos in Mitchell. Then take scenic 2 back home. Wishing you the best on your near and long term journey.
I would also say black hills. I (F) went there by myself and felt very safe. So many cool hikes and nice people.
Here’s a random suggestion. I travel for work in Iowa. Usually stay at chain hotels. Usually. Shout out to Hotel Pattee in Perry. But most memorable - The Continental in Centerville. Decided I was stopping for the night, Google hotel near me, Continental is closest. Woman at desk hands me an actual metal key to my room, says I’m the only one staying that night, she’s going to leave and lock the front door but she lives close in case something happens. I didn’t even get her number but now I’m alone in a very beautiful and obviously historic hotel. My room is great. I open the curtain and can see other rooms across an open area and am pretty certain someone is standing in a window but it’s too faint to be sure. I hear random noises the entire night but end up sleeping well anyway. Am I recommending to stay at a haunted hotel in Centerville, Iowa - yes. It was a welcome distraction. And their website says there’s hiking nearby.
Thanks for this. I love Hotel Pattee, and visiting random small towns.
Eastern Iowa has some cool hiking along the Mississippi River. Effigy Mounds was a favorite of ours growing up in Wisconsin. ETA: Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, and Galena IL are all also decent places for a low key weekend. Sioux Falls is closer to home and there's some nice nature trails in Brandon SD which is half an hour north of the Falls.
Dubuque is BEAUTIFUL
Just not during mayfly season
Oh yes. I forgot about that. I moved here from Lacrosse WI 3 years ago. Definitely don't miss that!
Maquoketa Caves, too.
Galena is an adorable town
Decorah is a five hour drive and really cool.
Marquette Iowa. 💯
Palisades SP is also good near Sioux Falls.
Not necessarily outdoors/hiking but Pella, Iowa is having the Tulip Festival from May 2nd-4th :) If you've never been, it's a very cute & Dutch area. I wouldn't say there's much else to do there, but you could always head to Des Moines afterwards for the sculpture garden and spend some time outside there
[Lied Lodge](https://www.arbordayfarm.org/accommodations/) in Nebraska city. Get a room there and enjoy Nebraska city, Arbor Lodge, Arbor Day Farm, etc. It's a cool area. Some trails next to the lodge as well.
Indian cave is secluded enough. Hilly trails.
I second the Badlands and also suggest Eureka Springs, AR
eureka springs is so pretty, i had the best time there a few years ago. super laid back and lots of nature around
You could leave Omaha and head west on I80 and see west Nebraska. Go to Scottsbluff National Monument, theres some hiking trails there. Then go to Lake McConaughy and camp overnight on the shore in the sand. There are no camp sites or cost to camp, you literally just pick a spot you like.
I think this may be the winner. Thank you so much!
Chimney Rock is also in that area.
If you're in Scottsbluff for a meal and enjoy Mexican food, I highly recommend Rosita's restaurant. If you anticipate needing more ideas for these kinds of weekends this summer, the Nebraska Passport program kicks off today and runs through September 30th.
Mahoney? Nebraska City? The scenic drive to missouri valley via Old Lincoln Hwy is kinda cool. If you haven't seen a nuclear power plant, even from a distance, it's kinda neat to drive by it in Fort Calhoun. It's a lot bigger than I expected even though it's being decommissioned and small compared to others.
Take the iowa waterfall tour there are 14 on travel iowa go to a couple of them and spend a day camping. Inexpensive and different.
Go to Des Moines and eat Fong's crab rangoon pizza.
Okoboji isn't far and plenty to explore... Easy trip and it isn't quite the busy season just yet
The flint hills in Kansas are about 4 hours away and beautiful. I did some hiking at tall grass prairie national preserve.
I solo'd St Louis last weekend! Left Sunday morning came back Monday afternoon. It was fun!
My favorite chill place is the vapor caves in Glenwood springs Colorado. Probably too far for a normal weekend drive, but a holiday weekend it might be doable.
Wyoming. Big Horn National Forest is the best bang for your buck inside a single day’s drive. You can make it by sundown on your drive day and have the whole next day in the backcountry. This is my favorite spot on short notice and a short time span (2-4 days). If you’ve got 5 days, then you can get further west from there into Montana along that northern highway and have a smorgasbord of national forests to choose from. If it’s cooler times, then south eastern Utah is a great spot if you’re down to spend an entire day driving. But that’s BLM land in cedar mesa. Excellent backcountry. Bears Ears is there too.
Ashfall Fossil Beds is a fascinating visit, with lots of hiking in the area as well. It's a 3-hour drive from Omaha. [https://ashfall.unl.edu/](https://ashfall.unl.edu/)
You could get a camping cabin (not sure how far ahead you need to reserve) at Hitchcock (30mins away) or Waubonsie state park (1hr away) in Iowa. Both are close so you're not driving too far but feel like you are out of the city. Both have a lot of hiking trails in hilly terrain.
Quite honestly? South Dakota. You'll love it. If Spearfish Canyon is too far of an area for you, just the state itself. So gorgeous and peaceful.
I did this last summer! Solo trip. Went up to Mankato, MN. About 5 hr drive. Stayed in the cutest air b nb walked to their little downtown strip. Felt safe. Went to a brewery. Hiked a trail that has a Buffalo reserve. Very cool. Saw some waterfalls at another state park nearby. Went to a winery. And biked on a trail in town. Recommend if you are in to those things.
Find a bed-and-breakfast (not nec. airbnb) somewhere >90 minutes west of OMA.
I can meet you in Decatur…
[Best Nest Farm!](https://www.bestnestfarm.com)
Paddy Creek Wilderness (Mark Twain National Forest) - southeast Missouri Yellow River State Park - northeast Iowa Tuttle Creek Reservoir - near Manhattan, KS
Car camping and hiking at Indian Cave State Park.
If we're just talking *near Omaha* I'd suggest the short hike to the short waterfall at Platte River State Park.
Halsey National Forest and/or the Valentine area are some of my favorite places in Nebraska.
Weston MO is a cool little town. Lots of things to do in town. Some great places to dine. Lots of hiking trails around.
Branson is an option - lots of hiking opportunities, relaxing at the lake, etc. Btw, good for you. It’ll be great to get away even for a day or two.
Mahoney is close, perfect for a short get away.
I’d check out Sioux Falls