The best lakes in Omaha and the surrounding region offer plenty of opportunities for swimming, paddling, fishing, and relaxing by the water. From quiet urban lakes with walking trails to expansive reservoirs with sandy beaches and campgrounds, there’s a destination for every kind of outdoor adventure. To help you plan your visit, we’ve also included recommendations ranging from Airbnbs in Omaha to comfortable top Vrbo vacation rentals, making it easy to stay close to the water. Take a look at our top picks below:
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on July 21, 2026.
1. Glenn Cunningham Lake
Glenn Cunningham Lake is a 0.6-square-mile (1.6-square-kilometer) reservoir and one of the best places to camp in Omaha. Named after Glenn C. Cunningham, a former mayor of Omaha and U.S. congressman, the lake offers plenty of outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy picnicking, boating, sailing, fishing, hiking, and cycling along its paved lakeside trails. Horseback riding is also allowed on designated trails.
Pick out one of these fine camper rentals and stay at the campground. It features 50 full-hookup RV campsites for those planning an overnight stay. Joggers and cyclists will appreciate the scenic 6.2-mile (10-km) paved trail that loops around the 390-acre (157.83-hectare) reservoir. The park also features a disc golf course and an archery range, making it a great destination for active families. If you’re looking for nearby accommodations instead of camping, this Airbnb stay is about a 15-minute drive from the lake.
Book an Outdoorsy rental near Glenn Cunningham Lake
Glenn Cunningham Lake
Address: Omaha, Nebraska
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Book Your Stay: Rainwood Cottage in the trees near the lake.
2. Carter Lake
Named after the industrialist Levi Carter, Carter Lake is a peaceful natural oxbow lake located next to Eppley Airfield. Despite its tranquil setting, the lake has a unique history, as its ownership was settled in a U.S. Supreme Court case after the Missouri River changed course.
Today, visitors can enjoy fishing from the lakeside docks, launching boats from the public ramps, walking along the shoreline, or relaxing at the picnic areas. The lake is just a 5-minute drive from Eppley Airfield, making it a convenient spot for travelers looking to enjoy scenic water views and a peaceful stroll without leaving the city.
Book an Outdoorsy rental for your weekend trip to Carter Lake
Carter Lake
Address: 809 Carter Lake Shore Dr N, Omaha, NE 68110, United States
Opening hours: 6am - 11pm (daily)
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Book Your Stay: 1 Bedroom Suite w/ Yard 7 min to Downtown Sleeps 4
3. Lake McConaughy
Lake McConaughy is the largest reservoir in Nebraska and a favorite destination for outdoor recreation. Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, and camping, while its expansive white sand beaches make it one of the state’s best spots for a summer getaway. The lake is also popular for windsurfing and trophy walleye fishing, with multiple boat launch areas providing easy access to the water. Adjacent to the lake is the Lake McConaughy Visitor and Water Interpretive Center, which features interactive exhibits, two large aquariums, a theater, and a community room.
Located near Ogallala along Highway 61, the reservoir is about a 4-hour drive west of downtown Omaha, making it an excellent choice for families seeking a beach-style camping vacation in Nebraska’s Sandhills.
Lake McConaughy
Address:Keith County, Nebraska, United States
Website: Lake McConaughy
Book Your Stay: Luxury Bayside Golf Course Townhouse w Lake Views
4. Lake Manawa
Lake Manawa is an oxbow lake formed after the Missouri River’s Great Flood of 1881 and is located in nearby Council Bluffs, Iowa. It is a popular destination for families looking to enjoy the outdoors. Today, Lake Manawa State Park offers plenty of recreational activities, including boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, walking, and biking. Families will appreciate the designated swimming beach, the expansive Dream Playground, and the shaded picnic pavilions, while boat rentals make it easy to spend a day on the water. The park is also home to paved biking trails and reservable picnic shelters.
Located on South Shore Drive, Lake Manawa is about a 15-minute drive from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, making it an ideal destination for active family outings, with restaurants along the way.
Book an RVshare rental around Lake Manawa
Lake Manawa
Address: 1100 South Shore Drive, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Opening hours: 4am - 10:30pm (daily)
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Book Your Stay: Cozy Lakeside Cottage for Families and Fun Seekers
5. Lake Wanahoo
Lake Wanahoo is a 662-acre (267.90-hectare) reservoir just north of Wahoo, Nebraska, featuring a dam and a recreation area with plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun. Visitors can enjoy fishing, hunting, camping, picnicking, hiking, biking, disc golf, and paddling, while shoreline fishing jetties and kayak launch sites provide easy access to the water.
The campground offers tent and RV sites with electric hookups, as well as primitive cabins, restrooms, and showers for a comfortable overnight stay. Located about a 35-minute drive west of Omaha, Lake Wanahoo is an excellent destination for campers looking for a peaceful prairie setting with modern amenities.
See stunning Lake Wanahoo from one of these Outdoorsy rentals
Lake Wanahoo
Address: Saunders County, near Wahoo, Nebraska
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Book Your Stay: Newly Renovated Wahoo House
6. Lewis and Clark Lake
Lewis and Clark Lake is a 50.2-square-mile (130-square-kilometer) reservoir along the Missouri River, straddling the border between Nebraska and South Dakota. As one of Nebraska’s largest lakes, it is a popular destination for boating, fishing, swimming, camping, and other outdoor activities.
Visitors can stay in lakeside cabins or spacious RV and tent campgrounds, while full-service marinas provide boat slips, fuel, and convenient access to the water. Sandy swimming beaches, scenic hiking trails, and excellent opportunities for water skiing make it a favorite destination for active families and groups. Located near Crofton, the lake is about a 3-hour drive northwest of Omaha.
Enjoy the panoramic views of Lewis and Clark Lake from one of these RVshare rentals
Lewis and Clark Lake
Address: Crofton, NE 68730, United States
Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)
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Book Your Stay: Lake View Rental Lewis & Clark Lake Grandview Est.
7. Conestoga Lake
Conestoga Lake in Denton, Nebraska, is a popular destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy nature. The state recreation area offers boat ramps, fishing piers, picnic areas, hiking and biking trails, campsites, and excellent fishing opportunities. Visitors can also launch kayaks from designated access points, while many campsites offer electric hookups for a more comfortable stay. Located on Conestoga State Recreation Road, the 230-acre (93.08-hectare) reservoir is about a 55-minute drive southwest of Omaha, making it a peaceful base for exploring the Lincoln area.
Book an Outdoorsy rental when going up to see Conestoga Lake’s beauty
Conestoga Lake
Address: Denton, NE 68339, USA
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Book Your Stay: Come stay with us at Our Family Air B & B
8. Wehrspann Lake
Wehrspann Lake is a 250-acre reservoir within the Chalco Hills Recreation Area, originally built for flood control and recreation. Surrounded by picnic areas, covered pavilions, and open green spaces, it offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. Visitors can fish from the jetties, explore the scenic 6.5-mile (10.5-km) paved trail on foot or by bike, and watch for wildlife such as bald eagles and deer. The recreation area also features an archery range, nature education facilities, playgrounds, and sports fields. Located in southwest Omaha, Wehrspann Lake is about a 15-minute drive from Zorinsky Lake, making it an ideal destination for a quick nature escape.
Click here to see RVshare rentals for your trip to Wehrspann Lake
Wehrspann Lake
Address: Sarpy County, NE, USA
Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)
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Book Your Stay: Just like home!
9. Branched Oak Lake
Known as the largest of Nebraska’s Salt Valley Lakes, Branched Oak Lake is an artificial reservoir within Branched Oak State Recreation Area. The park features two sandy swimming beaches, modern campgrounds, hiking and equestrian trails, and facilities for hunting, shooting, and archery. Its full-service marina offers boat rentals, fuel, bait, and dining, while the lake’s expansive 1,800-acre surface makes it a popular destination for sailing, boating, and fishing.
Located along West Branched Oak Road in Raymond, the recreation area is about a 55-minute drive southwest of Omaha, making it an excellent choice for campers looking to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities.
Book one of these Outdoorsy rentals near Branched Oak Lake
Branched Oak Lake
Address: 12000 W Branched Oak Rd, Raymond, NE 68428, United States
Check out some great vacation rentals near Branched Oak Lake
Book Your Stay: Two Bedroom Cottage nestled in quiet wooded area.
10. Calamus Reservoir
Calamus Reservoir offers more than 7.8 square miles (20.2 square kilometers) of opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, hunting, and camping. Surrounded by the Nebraska Sandhills, the reservoir features sandy beaches, modern campgrounds, five boat launch ramps, fishing docks, and a visitor center. The Calamus Fish Hatchery is particularly popular, where visitors can explore exhibits and self-guided tours.
The lake is especially popular for walleye fishing and scenic boating, while beachside camping and hiking trails make it an excellent destination for families seeking a relaxing outdoor getaway. Located near Burwell on York Point Road, the reservoir is about a 3-hour drive northwest of Omaha.
Stay near or around Calamus Reservoir via this RVshare rental
Calamus Reservoir
Address: Loup County, NE
Check out some great vacation rentals near Calamus Reservoir
Book Your Stay: < 1 Mi to Calamus Lake! Group Adventure Base
11. Pibel Lake
Pibel Lake is a 24-acre (9.7-hectare) spring-fed lake nestled within the more expansive Pibel Lake Recreation Area in rural Wheeler County near Burwell. Visitors can enjoy picnicking, primitive camping, fishing, and non-motorized boating in a peaceful natural setting. The recreation area also features fishing docks and a children’s playground, making it suitable for both families and couples looking to unwind. Surrounded by wooded shorelines, the lake offers a quiet escape about a 2.5-hour drive northwest of Omaha.
Pibel Lake
Address: Ericson, NE 68637, USA
Book Your Stay: Sandhills Home: 6 Acres-Views-Near Calamus Lake
12. Fremont Lakes
Less than an hour’s drive from Omaha, Fremont Lakes is a recreation area comprising 20 scenic sandpit lakes near Fremont, Nebraska. Surrounded by mature trees, sandy beaches, and open green spaces, it is a favorite destination for spring and summer getaways. Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, camping, and a variety of water sports, with several lakes designated for activities such as water skiing. Boat launch ramps provide easy access to the water, while shaded campgrounds and picnic areas make it easy to spend the day outdoors.
Located on West State Lakes Road, the recreation area is about a 35-minute drive northwest of Omaha, making it an excellent choice for families seeking a camping trip packed with outdoor recreation.
Fremont Lakes
Address: 3120 State Lakes Rd, Fremont, NE 68025, United States
Book Your Stay: Nana's House. 4 bedrooms & Ping Pong table
Indulge in a watery holiday in Omaha
Plan your holiday around these top lakes in Omaha and enjoy the surrounding region’s offerings while staying at these highly rated properties. From urban oxbow lakes inside the city limit to massive reservoirs with sandy beaches in Ogallala and Crofton, these waters cater to families, couples, and boaters. Select your ideal base to enjoy lakeside hiking trails, private boat launches, and heated cabins. You’ll also find sports bars and fancy restaurants where you can hang out and eat.
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