Mahoney State Park

Caregivers of children ages two to five years old are invited to discover more about the world of herpetology. Join us at the James Family Conservatory & Nature Center at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park on Thursday, Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet an animal ambassador, create animal art and more during this free program. This program is designed for ages 2-5 and their adult care-giver. Stop in at the James Family Conservatory and Nature Center anytime between these hours to visit our herpetology-themed stations.

Join this summer for some stargazing at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park! Powerful telescopes will be set up at the park’s golf shack for a glimpse of the night sky spectaculars. The event is free to the public, but you will need a valid Nebraska park entry permit for your vehicle. Stargazing will begin at dusk. Remember to bring your camp chairs or blankets! Telescopes will be provided. Rain Date Saturday, September 13

Join this summer for some stargazing at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park! Powerful telescopes will be set up at the park’s golf shack for a glimpse of the night sky spectaculars. The event is free to the public, but you will need a valid Nebraska park entry permit for your vehicle. Stargazing will begin at dusk. Remember to bring your camp chairs or blankets! Telescopes will be provided. Rain Date Saturday, August 9

Join this summer for some stargazing at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park! Powerful telescopes will be set up at the park’s golf shack for a glimpse of the night sky spectaculars. The event is free to the public, but you will need a valid Nebraska park entry permit for your vehicle. Stargazing will begin at dusk. Remember to bring your camp chairs or blankets! Telescopes will be provided.

Celebrate International Mud Day on Sunday, June 29 at E.T. Mahoney State Park’s Outdoor Pavillion with excitement, education and mud! Make mud pies & mud art, dig in dirt and discover our slip & slide with a very muddy twist! You will get muddy! You should definitely pack a change of clothes and dress for a muddy mess. We recommend garbage bags to sit on for the ride home and bringing a water bottle. Valid park permit required for entry.

Join on Tuesday evening, June 24, at E.T. Mahoney State Park’s James Family Conservatory and Nature Center to learn all about irises! The Sass Memorial Iris Garden on the grounds of Mahoney State Park displays and preserves over 300 iris cultivars. Learn to appreciate irises in a new way after discovering the rare and award-winning flowers of the collection. Join the Greater Omaha and Lincoln Iris Societies for an educational program and garden tour.

Join this summer for some stargazing at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park! Powerful telescopes will be set up at the park’s golf shack for a glimpse of the night sky spectaculars. The event is free to the public, but you will need a valid Nebraska park entry permit for your vehicle. Stargazing will begin at dusk. Remember to bring your camp chairs or blankets! Telescopes will be provided.

Park Naturalists will teach visitors about Nebraska reptiles and amphibians with live animal ambassadors. This program is free. A valid state park vehicle permit is required for entry.

Looking for something to do with your little ones? Join us Friday May 23rd, 2025 from 10AM-1PM at Mahoney Park Shelter #1 in Lincoln (first shelter near the entrance of the park) for a fun-filled morning of outdoor exploration designed for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children. There will be a nature discovery area, live animals, a wildlife habitat station, and a nature crafts station. Quality time in nature has several benefits for young children. This includes increasing creativity, problem-solving skills, plus intellectual, social and physical development. Adults benefit from more outdoor time too! So, let’s make the most of this time in our local environment.