Pawnee Plunge is a nice, cool swimming hole to get to when temperatures heat up in the Cornhusker State. However, this one isn’t found in a river or a pond; it’s a man-made swimming hole in Nebraska that’s so full of fun, you’ll feel like a kid on summer vacation, no matter your age.

On a hot summer day, gather up your sunscreen and towel, and head to Pawnee Plunge in Columbus. You’ll want to spend all day long at this fun, man-made swimming hole in Nebraska.

Pawnee Plunge/Facebook

There are so many ways to have fun in the water at this water park in Nebraska that you might not even know where to begin. If you’re the daring sort, climb up the three-meter diving platform and take the plunge.

Pawnee Plunge/Facebook

Once you’re soaked from head to toe, you can tackle some of the other challenges, like the floating obstacle course. It’s harder than it looks!

Pawnee Plunge/Facebook

Get some thrills on one of the four water slides. There’s a curve slide, a speed slide, a tube slide, and the Swirl Bowl.

Pawnee Plunge/Facebook

This is definitely one of the best places to swim in Nebraska, but did you also know that you can surf in Nebraska? Pawnee Plunge’s FlowRider lets you catch a wave and ride it as long as you can stay upright on your surfboard.

Pawnee Plunge/Facebook

Test your strength and agility on the climbing wall. No harness or safety equipment are needed — if you fall, you’ll just land in the pool!

Pawnee Plunge/Facebook

Then, take a break on the lazy river. Grab an innertube and float along til you’re ready for some more action at this man-made swimming hole in Nebraska.

Pawnee Plunge/Facebook

The littlest swimmers will love the spray area. It features a pirate ship with water slides and sprinklers, and the water is shallow enough for splashing safely.

Pawnee Plunge/Facebook

When the weather gets hot and you are looking for one of the best places to swim in Nebraska, get to Pawnee Plunge in Columbus!

Pawnee Plunge/Facebook

Check out the Facebook page for Pawnee Plunge for the most up-to-date info on hours and pricing.

Pawnee Plunge/Facebook

Ready for more summer fun in the water? Take this all-day float trip!

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Address: 560 33rd Ave, Columbus, NE 68601, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Pawnee Plunge July 22, 2022 Rachel Raimondi What are the most well-known parks in Nebraska? There are eight state parks in Nebraska. In Ashland, there’s the 673-acre Eugene Mahoney State Park. Here, you can hike, fish, and bike, as well as camp in either a tent or rent a cabin. There is also a ropes course and ziplining available in addition to horseback riding. Chadron State Park is in the Nebraska National Forest. This 974-acre park was the Cornhusker State’s first and offers several activities for visitors such as hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and even camping. What are the most beautiful lakes in Nebraska? There are over two dozen lakes in Nebraska to enjoy when the weather is nice. In Keith County, you’ll find 3,500-acre Lake McConaughy, the state’s largest and one of the best places to swim in Nebraska. Here, you can relax at one of the beaches, swim, fish, boat, tube, and more. There’s also a visitor’s center with an aquarium and exhibits. The 112-acre Holmes Lake is located in Lincoln. Here, you can take part in some of the best water activities like canoeing, kayaking, jet skiing, and fishing. Just note that swimming is not allowed here. What is the weather like in Nebraska in the summer?  Being a Midwest state, Nebraska gets pretty hot (as well as humid) in the summer. The average summer high is about 85 to 90 degrees, with July seeing the hottest temperatures. And don’t be surprised to see the thermometer read triple digits, maybe even as high as 115 degrees. And if the heat and humidity aren’t enough, Nebraska also experiences summer thunderstorms, which, at times, can get to be pretty intense. When it’s not storming, consider cooling off at a water park in Nebraska.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Pawnee Plunge

July 22, 2022

Rachel Raimondi

What are the most well-known parks in Nebraska? There are eight state parks in Nebraska. In Ashland, there’s the 673-acre Eugene Mahoney State Park. Here, you can hike, fish, and bike, as well as camp in either a tent or rent a cabin. There is also a ropes course and ziplining available in addition to horseback riding. Chadron State Park is in the Nebraska National Forest. This 974-acre park was the Cornhusker State’s first and offers several activities for visitors such as hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and even camping. What are the most beautiful lakes in Nebraska? There are over two dozen lakes in Nebraska to enjoy when the weather is nice. In Keith County, you’ll find 3,500-acre Lake McConaughy, the state’s largest and one of the best places to swim in Nebraska. Here, you can relax at one of the beaches, swim, fish, boat, tube, and more. There’s also a visitor’s center with an aquarium and exhibits. The 112-acre Holmes Lake is located in Lincoln. Here, you can take part in some of the best water activities like canoeing, kayaking, jet skiing, and fishing. Just note that swimming is not allowed here. What is the weather like in Nebraska in the summer?  Being a Midwest state, Nebraska gets pretty hot (as well as humid) in the summer. The average summer high is about 85 to 90 degrees, with July seeing the hottest temperatures. And don’t be surprised to see the thermometer read triple digits, maybe even as high as 115 degrees. And if the heat and humidity aren’t enough, Nebraska also experiences summer thunderstorms, which, at times, can get to be pretty intense. When it’s not storming, consider cooling off at a water park in Nebraska.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

There are eight state parks in Nebraska. In Ashland, there’s the 673-acre Eugene Mahoney State Park. Here, you can hike, fish, and bike, as well as camp in either a tent or rent a cabin. There is also a ropes course and ziplining available in addition to horseback riding. Chadron State Park is in the Nebraska National Forest. This 974-acre park was the Cornhusker State’s first and offers several activities for visitors such as hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and even camping.

What are the most beautiful lakes in Nebraska?

There are over two dozen lakes in Nebraska to enjoy when the weather is nice. In Keith County, you’ll find 3,500-acre Lake McConaughy, the state’s largest and one of the best places to swim in Nebraska. Here, you can relax at one of the beaches, swim, fish, boat, tube, and more. There’s also a visitor’s center with an aquarium and exhibits. The 112-acre Holmes Lake is located in Lincoln. Here, you can take part in some of the best water activities like canoeing, kayaking, jet skiing, and fishing. Just note that swimming is not allowed here.

What is the weather like in Nebraska in the summer? 

Being a Midwest state, Nebraska gets pretty hot (as well as humid) in the summer. The average summer high is about 85 to 90 degrees, with July seeing the hottest temperatures. And don’t be surprised to see the thermometer read triple digits, maybe even as high as 115 degrees. And if the heat and humidity aren’t enough, Nebraska also experiences summer thunderstorms, which, at times, can get to be pretty intense. When it’s not storming, consider cooling off at a water park in Nebraska.