This is a follow-up to a review I posted about two years ago. The last time I rode Cunningham Lake was the type of ride that leaves a bad taste in your mouth. It was just an all around crappy ride. But, two years later, this has all changed with what was perhaps one of my best rides in a long, long while. Cunningham Lake has much to offer, from rolling singletrack through woods, switchbacking doubletrack along prairie hills, and awesome views at every turn. It is missing one thing however, and that is technicals. Nothing at Cunningham Lake is technical. It is a pure aerobic cross country fest, so if you are expecting log crossings, berms, jumps, and drops, you really should not waste your time here. Cunningham Lake is the place to come if you want to spin pedals on off-road terrain for 2-3+ as you finish an “epic” loop around a great lake. Okay, maybe describing the loop as epic may be a bit much, but this is really a great ride for the Omaha area. The trails are not always easy to follow, but if you let your nose guide you, you will soon figure out the logic behind the loop. Once you see the general design of the first few miles, it will give you a good idea how the rest of the loop goes. The terrain is primarily dirt, with sections of mown grass thrown in every now and again. Sometimes the grass is a bit thick and tall, so keep this in mind. It seems this trail is not ridden by bikes very often, so at times you will be riding on top of mown grass as opposed to smooth as a baby’s bottom dirt. This is actually refreshing. The biggest downer about the trail is the lack of trail signs, but it’s pretty easy to figure out. Keep in mind that the wooded sections of the trail did not seem to have great drainage, and look like they get pretty soupy after a good rain. On the plus side, the non-wooded areas along the hills were in great shape. This is also a multi-use trail, so be courteous around the horse riders you see. I did not see any other cyclists, but ran into several equestrian types, who I gave a wide berth. It works out best that way.

Customer Service

Suggested coursing on this route is to get off 680 at 72nd street. Make a left as soon as you exit the highway onto 72nd and look immediately for a sign that leads to the boat ramps. Make a left at this sign and follow the road until you reach the boat ramps. Pull into the parking area. From the parking area, look to the east. A large hill will be visible. Ride south along the base of that hill, and then begin to crest the hill from the southern approach. This is where you begin to follow your nose. The basic idea is to ride Cunningham Lake counterclockwise. Every now and again, you will reach driveways where the trail cuts off. Search around, the connecting link is always nearby. When you reach the northern end of the lake, you will reach Highway 36. Ride along 36 until you cross the bridge and see a retention dike with a trail headed back to the south along the lake. Follow this trail. The trail continues along the hillsides for a while, and then gets broken again by a creek. There is a driveway leading out to a street and a bridge. You can cross the creek here, and you will see the trail linkage once again. It’s pretty easy to follow actually, just remember that there is a full loop around the lake, you just have to look for it sometimes.

Similar Products Used:

Wilson Island, Swanson Park, Platte State Park, Schramm State Park, Branched Oak State Park, Lake Manawa MTB Trails, Lewis and Clark Monument, Wilderness Park

I rode this trail in July of 2000 and found it to be mostly easy but poorly marked. I had to ask a rider on horseback for directions after follwing a path that took me through five foot high prarie grass rendereing my rear derailier useless. Part of the trail is paved, most of it is not. Much of the trail was overgrown making for confusion and slow riding. There are enough hills to keep things interesting both up and down.

This could be a wonderful trail if local riders get together with the City of Omaha on some trail signage.

Customer Service

As other review

I rode this trail a few months ago after doing some research of offroad trails in the Omaha area, and decided to give it a shot (even though the previous reviewer didn't leave a glowing review.) I figured it would be worth a try seeing as I was growing bored with some of the other local trails and wanted a change of pace.

To set the scene, as I was driving to Cunningham Lake the winds really picked up, probably gusting 25-30mph, so I knew that the ride was going to be made more difficult. But I pressed on, eager to check out the trails.

The first portion of the trail I rode (along the northeast side of highway 36 before the highway cross the lake) started out with lots of promise. It led back into a wooded area choked with trees and logs, and was a pretty good section. Then came an uphill section that was pretty fun as well, with the WIND TO YOUR BACK! I knew as I pass through that section that it would kick my butt coming back, but I was determined.

I continued on and found the next sections to be increasingly less enjoyable as they were mostly composed of decaying asphalt walking trails along the lake. I rode for a few miles before reaching the southern portion of the lake, and decided that the wind was great at my back, but the ride back to the car was going to be an epic struggle of exertion. So I headed back and fought the wind the entire way. This did not make for an enjoyable ride, as there is very few trees to halt the wind.

I got back to the ride and had a dejected feeling seeing as I had completely spent myself and had very little fun along the way. I should have tried this trail on a less windy day and maybe it would have been better.

Truth is however that overall this trail was nothing spectacular. It definitely had some potential, just needed a little (read:ALOT) of work to bring it to a 'decent ride' status. It might be unfair of me to give this trail a bad review due to my stupidity at riding it during high winds, but I will try to be objective when giving it a rating.

Great view of the lake and relatively quiet, some good hilly sections, lots of terrible asphalt sections, hmmm...

Overall rating would be a 2, with the potential to become a 3 if better maintained.

I probably won't be heading back to this trail as there are more enjoyable places to ride in the local area. But maybe I should give it one more chance to really get a better opinion.

If you go, don't be an idiot like me and ride with high winds!

Customer Service

Haven't rode this trail enough to be helpful on this one. Just find a spot and go.

Similar Products Used:

Schramm State Park, Swanson Park, Lewis and Clark, Wilderness Park, Lake Manawa (area south of paved trails), Wabash Trace, Platte State Park