Steamboat Trace

The Steamboat Trace Hiking/Biking Trail is a rail-banked Burlington Northern line which was purchased by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and deeded to the Nemaha Natural Resources District (NNRD) in 1995. The NNRD is the owner and manager of the trail. Currently 21 miles of the Trail is completed from Cooper Nuclear Station, south of Brownville, Nebraska to Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) Power Station south of Nebraska City, Nebraska. The surface is hardened limestone screenings. The northern section of the Trail from Peru to Minersville (south of Nebraska City) has been completed. Parking is available at Minersville.

To access the Trail... At Brownville: from Highway 136, turn south just west of the Missouri River bridge and proceed to Brownville State Recreation on the Missouri River. You can park anywhere in the area of the Recreation Area.

At Peru: enter Peru from Highway 67 and proceed north through town on Park Avenue and 5th street. The trailhead and parking are located at the far north end of 5th street. There are trailblazer signs that will guide you.

At Nebraska City: from Highway 75 south of Nebraska City, turn at the entrance to the OPPD Nebraska City Power Station. (OPPD road is one mile south of Nebraska City on Highway 75, turn east onto the OPPD road). Just before reaching the plant (at the switchyard), turn south (right) and go about 1½ miles to the end of the road. Turn right (toward the bluffs) and follow the road to the trail parking (just north of grain elevators).