Holmes Lake Loop Trail

The Holmes Lake Loop is 2.3-mile long trail that goes around Holmes Lake. The trail is located in Holmes Lake Park in Lincoln, Nebraska. Holmes Lake is a 112-acre lake reservoir that was created in 1962 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as flood control measure for Antelope Creek. The park itself is 270-acres in size and provides many recreational activities including fishing, golfing, biking, hiking, and picnicking.

The Holmes Lake Loop Trail can be accessed for a number of different parking lots in the park. For this article the hike will started by Holmes Lake Parking Lot 5 which is located off Holmes North Shore Road in the northwest corner of the park. To begin this hike head to the west end of the parking lot to find the crushed gravel trail. The trail heads north and a make a gradual climb up to the top of the damn embankment. (There is another trail that goes straight up the embankment that is easy to see; going that way will shorten the loop by about a third of a mile.) After 0.2 miles, you will be on the embankment, make a hairpin turn to the left here. The trail runs on top the embankment for a little over a half mile; take a left to head down the embankment and cross a small bridge. After crossing the bridge, the trail runs by the south side of Holmes Lake for about a half mile. It then crosses over another bridge and heads northwest for around two thirds of a mile back to the parking lot.

Dogs on a leash are allowed on the trail as are bicycles. There are bathrooms in the park that are open seasonally, although there are none that are located right by the trail. There is little shade on the trail. Other than climbing the embankment, the trail is very level making it suitable for most abilities.