Dakota County: River Landscapes, Trails and History

The Missouri River runs along the northern and eastern boundaries of Dakota County. The destination also offers a variety of features, including lakes, trails and historic sites. This combination gives you several possible focal points when planning your trip.

Missouri River, Lakes and Water Facilities

Danish Alps State Recreation Area includes a 219-acre lake surrounded by 520 acres of parkland; the parkland is therefore more than twice the size of the lake. Kramper Reservoir is a no-wake lake. On its west side, there is a boating facility with two 40-foot docks, as well as a new kayak launch near the boat ramp.

Trails, Parks and Seasonal Operations

Dakota City is connected to the Siouxland Trails system. The Jim Cahill Memorial Trail also connects to this system. These two connections are at different scales: Dakota City as a town and the Jim Cahill Memorial Trail as an individual trail. Cottonwood Cove Park covers 4.5 acres, is located on the Missouri River and has a boat dock; Odd Fellows Lodge Park is also on the river.

Cottonwood Cove Campground operates seasonally and has thirteen RV sites with water and electrical hookups. If you are planning an overnight stay, it is worth checking the operating season because the campground is seasonal. Cottonwood Days is held every summer as a community festival at Cottonwood Cove Park.

Omaha History and Historic Buildings

Tonwantonga was an important Omaha village on Omaha Creek. The Lewis and Clark Expedition visited it on August 13, 1804.

Another connection to the Lewis and Clark Expedition is Maha, near Homer, a destroyed Omaha village and burial site. In August, the expedition sent a group to explore the site.

Emmanuel Lutheran Church was built in 1860 as the first Lutheran church in the Nebraska Territory and is the oldest surviving wood-frame church in Nebraska. These two features refer to different scales: an early church in the territory at the time and the building’s preservation status in Nebraska. O'Connor House was built over ten years, from 1865 to 1875. Its Christmas Tours take place every year in November. St. John City was established in June 1856 as one of the first settlements in Dakota County; the settlement site has been abandoned.

When to Visit and Where to Stay

The annual calendar offers different highlights: Cottonwood Days takes place in summer, while O'Connor House Christmas Tours are held in November. If one of these events is the reason for your trip, check the exact dates in advance.

When choosing a hotel location, you can weigh two priorities against each other: riverfront parks and water facilities, or historic sites and buildings. First decide what you want your trip to focus on, then tailor your search to your own plans.

Discover more destinations: South Sioux City, Brown County, Blaine, Valley County, Cedar County, Cass County, Franklin County, Sheridan County.

For the broader travel overview: Nebraska.