Sand Hills State Park offers visitors a unique chance to explore Nebraska’s largest grass-covered sand dune region, providing diverse outdoor activities from hiking to fishing in a peaceful setting.
Sand Hills State Park is located in the heart of Nebraska’s extensive Sand Hills region, one of the largest sand dune formations in the Western Hemisphere. Covering a landscape dominated by rolling grass-covered dunes, the park represents a rare inland sand ecosystem sustained by groundwater. The park is home to mixed grasses, wildflowers, and native wildlife including deer, birds, and small mammals. Established in 1925, the park spans multiple square miles near the town of Mullen and serves as a popular destination for those seeking nature-based recreation. Visitors can enjoy well-maintained hiking and equestrian trails that traverse dune ridges and gentle valleys, as well as fishing opportunities in nearby lakes stocked with bass and catfish. The park’s quiet, open spaces offer excellent birdwatching and photography prospects, with a backdrop of vast open skies. Sand Hills State Park appeals especially to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders who want to experience the subtle beauty of grass-stabilized dunes shaped by wind and water. The park also includes family-friendly facilities such as campgrounds and picnic areas. Its tranquil environment makes it a favored spot for visitors looking to escape urban life and enjoy Nebraska’s natural heritage. The combination of sand dunes, prairie grasslands, and freshwater lakes creates habitat diversity that supports a variety of plant and animal species unique to the region.
Rolling grass-stabilized sand dunes offering scenic views
Diverse native prairie ecosystem with unique flora and fauna
Fishing in park lakes abundant with bass and catfish
Equestrian trails providing access to remote grassland areas
Unique dunes stabilized by native prairie grasses make the landscape distinct from typical desert sand dunes.
Several small lakes within the park offer opportunities to fish for largemouth bass, catfish, and other freshwater species.
Trails designed to accommodate horseback riding wind through dunes and open grasslands, offering an immersive experience.