Experience Fall at Fontenelle Forest

1. Hike the trails.

From October through November, experience beautiful fall foliage as you explore 1,500 acres of land and 17 miles of maintained trails at Fontenelle Forest. Hikers can see a range of vastly different ecosystems, from deciduous forest to oak savanna, prairie and wetlands. For a more remote hiking option, check out our Neale Woods Nature Reserve property in North Omaha, a 560-acre nature reserve that is home to abundant plant and animal life. 

2. Stroll the Riverview Boardwalk.

Enjoy the changing leaves, observe wildlife and take in views of the Missouri River while strolling Fontenelle Forest’s one-mile, accessible boardwalk. Open daily, year-round, the Forest provides an excellent opportunity to experience the changing of the seasons and beautiful fall foliage.

3. Explore local history through our new exhibit.

Fontenelle Forest is celebrating the 200-year anniversary of the Fontenelle Trading Post, with the Nebraska’s Deep Roots exhibit located in the Baright Gallery. This new experience tells the story of how the Fontenelle Trading Post came to be and what a trading post during the 1800’s may have looked like. Click here to learn more. 

4. See amazing non-releasable birds of prey in the Raptor Woodland Refuge treetop exhibit.

Thirty feet above the forest floor, this canopy-level exhibit provides visitors with an opportunity to observe many species of birds of prey in a unique, treetop environment. Visitors can learn facts about each raptor species and raptor conservation. Open daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

5. Bring some binoculars for birding.

Discover an abundance of bird species while exploring the Forest! Witness the fall migration from September through November as many species move from their spring and summer breeding grounds to their winter homes. Fontenelle Forest is a premier Audubon-designated premier birding location with over 246 recorded species. The Wetlands is a favorite birding spot or you can sit back and take in the view from our Bird Room in the lower level of the Nature Center. 

Plan your visit today!

Visitors of all ages can also learn about nature during one of our many guided hikes, children’s day camps, or various other nature-inspired programs and events throughout the year. The Forest is open daily, year-round.

Become a Member & Save!

If you are planning to visit the Forest more than once each year, you may want to consider becoming a member.

A Fontenelle Forest membership pays for itself in just a few short visits and provides tons of cool benefits,
including a full 12 months of free admission to Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods.

Learn more and become a member