Skip to content
Log In Sign Up

Route:

Eastern Sprint

Miles:

92

Elkhorn River

Hooper, Nebraska; Dodge County

The Elkhorn River is in northeastern Nebraska and originates near the eastern Sandhills. The Elkhorn River is one of the largest tributaries of the Platte River, flowing 290 miles and joining the Platte River southwest of Omaha. The Elkhorn River basin encompasses approximately 7,000 square miles. The Elkhorn has several tributaries, including its own North and South forks, Logan Creek Dredge, Rock Creek and Maple Creek.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition encountered the Elkhorn River near its confluence with the Platte River. Located a few miles north of the confluence is the Elkhorn Crossing Recreation Area. This public park, operated by the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, marks the location where thousands of immigrants in the nineteenth century, bound for the west, camped while waiting to cross the river.

Today, Elkhorn Crossing Recreation Area is a 27-acre public-access site featuring a boat ramp, camping facilities, small playground, and restrooms. The site also facilitates short to moderate river float trips for tubers, canoeists, and kayakers.

Latitude:

41.36145330

Longitude:

-96.30165430

Population:

896

Directions

Famous Person from Hooper:

Jordan Larson

Jordan Quinn Larson (born October 16, 1986) is an American volleyball player and a three-time Olympic medalist. Larson won gold with the national team at the 2014 World Championship, the Rimini Volleyball Nations League, and the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics,[2] silver at the 2012 London Summer Olympics, and bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Her 2020 Olympics win allowed her to complete the trifecta of winning an Olympic bronze, silver, and gold medal.

Hear from Larson: On going from a small town of 800 people to a two-time Olympic medalist “I never expected I would be where I am today. I dreamed about it a lot, but never expected I would be here. I was very fortunate to have very supportive family around me that helped me get where I am. I am forever grateful.”

Looking for resources? Login to view more.

Coming up next:

107 miles

Pawnee Villages

The Pawnee tribe placed their last earth lodge villages on these bluffs. This is also the location of Pa-huk’ hill. Pa-huk’ hill is one of the five sacred places of the Pawnee People. The Pawnee once numbered more than 10,000 people. The Pawnee were recorded in history as early as 1541. They lived on this land for hundreds of years before white settlers arrived.

By 1833 the tribe seceded their... Read more

View Marker

125 miles

Lake Wanahoo

Lake Wanahoo is the keystone of the Sand Creek Environmental Restoration Project and is located one mile north of Wahoo, Nebraska. The project area comprises 1,777 acres including a 662-acre lake.

The Sand Creek Environmental Restoration Project is a multifaceted project that provides environmental restoration, flood damage reduction, and recreation benefits in Saunders County. Environmental restoration is the primary benefit of the Sand Creek Project. A large wetlands area at... Read more

View Marker

138 miles

UNL Research Farm

The Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension, and Education Center (ENREC) is one of the most unique research facilities in the United States. This site is a major research and education facility consisting of 9,663 acres. About half of the land is used for rows crops and the rest is used for cool and warm season pastures. Over 6,000 farm animals live onsite.

View Marker

These buttons follow the default direction of each route. You can use the previous button to move in the opposite direction, or edit your team’s settings in the manager dashboard.