Heron Haven Nature Center image

Heron Haven Nature Center

Tourist attraction Hiking area Nature preserve

👍👍 Great little spot to watch wildlife. You may want to bring binoculars if you want a closer look. It was a little smaller than I thought it might be, but very well kept and pleasant. People often mention trails, nature, walk, beautiful, butterfly, garden, geese, Beautiful,


Address

11809 Old Maple Rd, Omaha, NE 68164, United States

Website

www.heronhaven.org

Contact

+1 402-493-4303

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (301 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 9 am to 7 pm
  • Sunday: 9 am to 7 pm
  • Monday: (Washington's Birthday), 9 am to 7 pm, Hours might differ
  • Tuesday: 9 am to 7 pm
  • Wednesday: 9 am to 7 pm
  • Thursday: 9 am to 7 pm
  • Friday: 9 am to 7 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: trails (14) nature (13) walk (10) beautiful (7) butterfly (7) garden (6) geese (6) Beautiful (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Stacey A. 6 months ago on Google • 23 reviews
    Great little spot to watch wildlife. You may want to bring binoculars if you want a closer look. It was a little smaller than I thought it might be, but very well kept and pleasant.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Vivian C. 5 months ago on Google • 552 reviews
    Wonderful place to see wildlife and flowers. Easy walking even for an old lady like me.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jim M. 5 months ago on Google • 731 reviews
    A hidden away spot in busy surroundings. Ponds, herons, perching birds, butterflies & mosquitos abound in summertime. A beautiful planted garden also awaits you with loads of flowers. Be sure to bring a camera or a great cellphone with you so you can capture the moment!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Laura 1 year ago on Google
    Don’t blink or you will drive right past this delightful slice of nature just off Maple Street at 114th in Omaha, Nebraska. Well kept trails guide you to various bird blinds, including one with steps to help elevate children over the greenery. The butterfly and caterpillar gardens bring even more wildlife to this oasis. I hiked all of the trails. It only took about a mile total for three trails. Bring the kids. They will love shorter walks and eye-catching nature at their level.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rebecca H. 8 months ago on Google • 106 reviews
    This was the longest these kiddos have been quiet in days! Not even a noise as they tip toed, yes you read that right, tip toed through to try to not scare any animals! It is an excellent learning place as well as a great place to just stretch your legs! We had a great time here and hope to be back!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ashley S. 2 years ago on Google
    This place is so awesome. Short and sweet trails but you can stay as long as you like. Gorgeous butterfly garden and BONUS: a separate caterpillar garden!! 🦋🐛 Plenty of little trails to explore and water to gaze at. Love the boardwalk and lookout.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Christina G. 1 year ago on Google
    Who would know that you could find a cool place like this in the middle of the city! If you like nature you will like this! Your kids are goi g to live the trails. Lots of frogs, turtles, rabbits, ducks, geese, herons, and so many birds!!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kim O. 1 year ago on Google • 200 reviews
    This place is such a hidden gem! I've driven by this place for years and never knew it was there. I can't wait to visit in the spring! There is a butterfly garden that looks like it's beautiful then. Nice trails to walk, a hide for taking pictures of the animals on the water. I went into the building and talk with Sam. He showed me the little museum of artifacts they have there. Everything from bird nests and eggs to dragonflies and a deer pelt. Sam was super friendly and told me about the history of Heron Haven. I wasn't expecting a private tour or as much detail as I got but really enjoyed every second of it. You can tell the volunteers really love the area and are passionate about sharing it with others. Please visit and donate to their cause!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Donna P. 10 months ago on Google • 69 reviews
    This hidden gem in NW Omaha is a great spot for bird watching and also has educational butterfly and caterpillar gardens. A helpful volunteer at the boardwalk told us about the history of the center and we watched several geese take off and land at the larger lake. The trails are mulched and the parking lot is gravel.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lehr D. 10 months ago on Google
    Went here with my son's preschool. I really like the layout. They have packed a lot of neat little trails and ponds in to a pretty small area. We ended up seeing a few herons. There were also a lot of frogs and geese. The nature center had interesting displays for the kids to check out also.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lacey P. 10 months ago on Google • 160 reviews
    Heron Haven is a great hike for toddlers. The short trails take you around to various lakes and photo blinds that allow you to see the birds and turtles from fairly close up. The board walk was a favorite for my littles as the ducks and geese came right up underneath us. There are numerous benches throughout to sit and enjoy the view or rest if needed. They also have QR codes throughout to scan and learn about nature as you go!!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gray M. 10 months ago on Google • 229 reviews
    Beautiful trails and viewing areas! I saw a ton of creatures in their natural habitat. There were fish jumping, frogs blending in, birds chirping, herons, geese, and I saw a mink swimming too! They had free seeds to take and plant, including a start to a chokecherry. They have a photo contest for those interested!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tricia D. 7 months ago on Google
    Beautiful serene and would never know your right off 120th and Maple A hidden gem
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Autumn F. 1 year ago on Google
    This is such a nice place to walk and relax. It is very calming with a nice trail and even has a view point to watch nature by the water. I loved watching the turtles on the logs in the water and being at a viewpoint that doesn't disturb them. The viewpoint hides you from them so they are all living in peace but close enough to get a good view. I want to come here more often, and its nice coming out here between a busy schedule to refresh. It is a small area, but is beautiful. Easy to find parking. The trail is setup with a board walk.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sabrina S. 9 months ago on Google
    Beautiful, family-friendly nature center. Great for bird-watchers.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kristin K. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful place for a nature walk in the city. Literally in the middle of a neighborhood and you'd never know. Spent about an hour moseying the trail and boardwalk. We saw frogs, ducks, geese, fish and beautiful flowers Arby's plants in the butterfly garden.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Shane B. 3 years ago on Google
    Great for family nature seeing. my only problem is the board walk is too skinny so when there are multiple people on it then it becomes impossible to social distance. Other than that I totally recommend going here and make sure to go in the butterfly garden got some beautiful pics
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jennifer H. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful area with walking trails and gardens. We didn't see too many animals when we went, but we enjoyed the little nature gem in the hustle and bustle of the city. Not to mention, it is free!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 JasonMeg W. 10 months ago on Google • 81 reviews
    We LOVE "escaping" to Heron Haven. Muted sounds of Maple - but it's quiet and peaceful. If you hold still long enough you might even see groundhogs or beavers!

  • 5/5 Rhea F. 3 months ago on Google • 17 reviews New
    It was my first visit and I’d just seen the boardwalk while driving by. It was beautiful and the perfect place to walk or sit at one of the many sitting spots and enjoy being in nature. Since it’s winter/fall at the time I’m writing this, I would recommend coming in the spring or start of summer to see the plants in full bloom and more wildlife :)

  • 5/5 Living Water C. 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely place for an afternoon stroll of various wild life. Numerous trails to chose from. Available classes for youth, beautifully laid out and mapped out. Very easy to find and location. Easy and convenient parking. Perfect destination within the outer line of city limits. Highly recommend to any and all hiking, park hobbyist, a family days trip, and or a perfect place for an afternoon picnic date! Check it out

  • 5/5 Maddison A. 11 months ago on Google
    Love it here! I can't wait for summer! My favorite path to walk and enjoy nature!

  • 5/5 Movingmadesmooth 11 months ago on Google
    A slice of paradise right here in town. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting several board members while visiting. They are very passionate about keeping the place up. With the small budget they have, volunteer work is a must. I’ve had the opportunity to help in many areas. It’s my go to place when the day is frustrating. A walk through the forest on the well maintained trails releases the day’s frustrations. Perfect place for photographers, and bird watchers. The kids love the place!!! Don’t forget to see there new direction in preservation by opening there caterpillar and butterfly gardens. Heads up, though, due to it being a wildlife bird refugee, there are no dogs allowed.

  • 5/5 Scott E. 4 years ago on Google
    Great place to see nature. Educational opportunities and a chance to walk in the woods in the middle of the city. Worthwhile organization to support. Make sure that you wear your insect repellent in this area. Lots of standing water. But a beautiful place to visit.

  • 5/5 Sarah L. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful place. Very peaceful


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