Haworth City Park - Bellevue

Dust stirs along Payne Drive as you pull into Haworth City Park, where the hum of distant jets from Offutt Air Force Base punctuates the open sky. The air carries a faint hint of river moisture, a reminder that the Missouri River lies just a short stroll away. Despite the lingering scars from the 2019 flood and recent closures, the park’s quiet presence still invites visitors to linger in its broad, sunlit spaces. Shade is sparse along the trails here, leaving the wide Nebraska sky uninterrupted, and the gentle rustling of prairie grasses provides a soft soundtrack to your arrival.

Stretching out from the park is the Bellevue Loop Trail, a concrete path weaving through the surrounding countryside for over ten miles if you start just south of the main lot. The trail’s flat pavement makes for a steady walk or bike ride, though you’ll want sunscreen for the exposed stretches. As the trail heads eastward, it skirts the southern edge of Offutt AFB, where the occasional roar of a jet taking off slices through the calm. For those who want to explore further, the trail eventually connects with the Keystone Trail, extending the route toward the Missouri River and beyond, offering a longer journey through this quietly rural landscape.

Though the campground itself is still recovering from flood damage, signs of renewal are apparent. Water and electric hookups are available at several sites, with plenty of shade trees offering relief during warm afternoons. The back-in sites accommodate a range of rigs with ease, and the camp host’s welcoming spirit brightens the spot—garden-fresh corn and potatoes have shown up at the campsite, shared with neighbors like a neighborly handshake. While the dump station remains out of commission as repairs continue, nearby facilities handle the task, making stays manageable even during restoration. The park's peaceful setting offers a simple, grounded experience for those patient enough to appreciate its slow comeback.

Even on days when parts of the park remain closed, the nearby American Heroes Park fills the horizon with fluttering flags and solemn memorials, a vivid reminder of Nebraska’s resilience. As evening shadows lengthen, the Missouri River’s edge becomes a quiet refuge where the water catches fading light and the day’s noise fades into the steady rhythm of the river’s flow. It’s these moments—marked by gentle breezes and shared smiles—that keep visitors returning to Haworth City Park, embracing both its challenges and its calm.