Branched Oak State Recreation Area

Branched Oak Lake

1.1 mi · ▲ 28 ft · 23 min

Branched Oak Lake is a 1.1-mile out-and-back in Branched Oak State Recreation Area near Malcolm, NE. The route reaches Branched Oak Lake at the turnaround, 0.6 miles in. It is mostly level, with 28 ft of elevation gain. It scores 59/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi1,289 – 1,355 ft1.2 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 40.96277, -96.85738
Nearest town Malcolm, NE

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Branched Oak Lake

1.1 mi · ▲ 28 ft · 23 min

Elevation 1,291–1,355 ft

Out & Back · Branched Oak State Recreation Area

Trailhead: 40.96277, -96.85738

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 7:14 AM · sunset 7:30 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SW.
  2. 250 ftBear right, heading SW.
  3. 50 ftBear left, heading SW.
  4. 0.4 miBear right, heading NW.
  5. 500 ftTurn left, heading E.
  6. 50 ftReach Branched Oak Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  7. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  8. 500 ftBear left, heading SE.
  9. 0.4 miBear right, heading N.
  10. 50 ftBear left, heading NE.
  11. 250 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Weather

Sunrise 7:14 AMSunset 7:30 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.2 mi in (~6 min). Leave by 7:04 PM for the 7:30 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:50 PM — 8 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead