Elkhorn Crossing Recreation Area is a 27-acre park on the Elkhorn River at 252nd Street and Bennington Road, run by the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District. It marks the spot where Brigham Young's pioneer company, five days out of Winter Quarters, reached the Elkhorn on April 10, 1847. The river was about 160 feet wide and 4 feet deep; the pioneers built a cottonwood-log raft, and by the next afternoon all 72 wagons were across. Latter-day Saints ran a toll ferry here for several years afterward. A National Park Service wayside exhibit on the Mormon Pioneer Trail tells the story.
Visiting: open April 1 to November 1, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; no entry fee. The park has a boat ramp, 10 RV sites with water and electric, tent and group camping, a playground, picnic areas and shelter, and restrooms. Camping is paid by mobile QR code only. It is a popular launch for tubing and kayaking on the Elkhorn, and river access may close during high water. No glass containers.
Contact: Papio-Missouri River NRD, 402-444-6222.