Riverview Boardwalk (Fontenelle Forest) Hiking Guide
The Riverview Boardwalk is Fontenelle Forest's front door and, by the Forest's own count, its most popular trail. Three linked loops of wooden decking leave the Nature Center in Bellevue and wind through the forest near the Missouri River bluffs. It is mud-free, open to wheelchairs and strollers, and short enough to fit before work.
Permit: Fontenelle Forest is a private nonprofit preserve with daily admission: $15 per adult, $13 for ages 62 and up, $9 for ages 2-17, free under 2 and for members, plus sales tax. Pay at the Nature Center's visitor services desk, online or by phone (402-731-3140). An individual membership is $55 a year and also covers Neale Woods.
Length and Layout
Fontenelle's July 2026 trail map lists the boardwalk at 0.87 miles with 141 feet of gain and 149 feet of loss, which surprises people who expect a flat walk; the decking follows the slope of the bluff. Because it is built as three connected loops, you can turn back after the first one or string all three together. Benches sit along the way, and the Forest describes the whole route as barrier-free.
Side Trips Off the Decking
Two dirt trails leave the boardwalk if you want a little more. The Ridge Trail, 0.32 miles, runs along both sides of a narrow ridge to a bluff overlooking the Missouri River. Beaver Chew, 0.21 miles, drops from the third loop to a bridge in Childs Hollow, where a large hickory felled by beavers still lies. Both are natural surface, so expect mud after rain, and the Forest advises traction devices when trails are icy.
Admission, Hours and Parking
Adult admission is $15 plus tax, and every guest checks in at the visitor services desk while the Nature Center is open. From September through May the Nature Center runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and trails generally close at sunset. Parking is a small free lot outside the building, first come, first served, with overflow near Camp Brewster down the road; the Forest asks visitors not to park on Bellevue Boulevard. The Forest closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Accessibility and Rentals
The Nature Center has accessible parking, step-free entry, an elevator and ADA restrooms. Visitor services lends a small number of power scooters, wheelchairs and strollers for free on a first-come basis, and also rents binoculars, backpacks and snowshoes. Call ahead if you need an accommodation arranged.
Dogs and Seasonal Closures
Pets are not allowed anywhere on Fontenelle property; only ADA service animals are welcome, because the Forest is managed as conservation land. Each December the Forest holds a managed deer hunt and closes all of its trails for several days, the boardwalk included, while Neale Woods in north Omaha stays open. Prescribed burns in fall and spring can also close trails on short notice, so check the homepage alerts before you drive over.
Hiking tips for Riverview Boardwalk (Fontenelle Forest)
- Do all three loops for the full 0.87 miles, or stop after the first for a shorter stroll.
- Add the Ridge Trail for the boardwalk area's best view of the Missouri River.
- Borrow a free wheelchair or scooter at visitor services if someone in your group needs one.
- Check Fontenelle's site in December, when the managed deer hunt shuts the boardwalk for a few days.
- Leave the dog at home; pets are prohibited on all Fontenelle trails.
Nearby trails to explore
- History Trail (Fontenelle Forest)
- Oak Trail (Fontenelle Forest)
- Hidden Lake Trail and Great Marsh (Fontenelle Forest)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
The boardwalk is an easy first outing for a new hiking group, with room for strollers and slower walkers. Post a Fontenelle morning in TrailMates, settle the time and carpool in the event's group chat, and meet at the Nature Center desk. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.