Ord: Sandhills, Nature Trails and Culture

Ord is located in the North Loup Valley on the eastern edge of the Nebraska Sandhills. This landscape brings trails, city parks and cultural sites together: the Ord Hike/Bike Trail leads to an arboretum, while downtown and the parks offer different options for planning your day. When looking for a vacation rental in Ord, you can first consider whether nature trails, sports facilities or culture will be the focus of your stay.

Trails and Landscape

The Ord Hike/Bike Trail starts at Auble’s Pond in Bussell Park on Ord’s northern edge and leads to the Lower Loup Natural Resources District’s arboretum. Along the way, it runs beside Dane Creek and then along the eastern edge of Ord Cemetery. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

The Aubles Pond and Nature Trail offers another way to spend time outdoors. The nature trail is two miles long; there are also opportunities for trout fishing and covered picnic areas. A permit is required for fishing. If you are choosing between the two trails, the Hike/Bike Trail leads to a named destination, while the nature trail can be distinguished by its length and fishing opportunity.

Parks and Sports

Bussell Park is a wooded city park in Ord. It has a public swimming pool that operates seasonally, a splash pad and a pond. Sports facilities include tennis courts, pickleball courts, basketball courts, baseball fields, sand volleyball courts and a nine-hole disc golf course. RV and camper hookups are also available; availability may be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Another park option is Kindergarten Park near 17th and O Street. Its amenities include a skate park, play equipment and basketball courts. This makes it possible to match the offerings of the two parks to different interests without treating their facilities as one complex.

Ord Golf Club adds a municipal nine-hole course to the sports offerings. Established in 1915, it is 2,379 yards long and has a par of 33/36. Since playing conditions can vary, check them before planning a round.

Theater and Downtown

The Golden Husk, a historic theater, is located on Ord’s Downtown Square. Its acoustically effective corn husk walls gave it its name—a concrete connection between its distinctive building material and the theater.

The Valley County Courthouse in downtown Ord can also be explored on a self-guided tour. This is possible on weekdays; check current hours before your visit. The theater and the courthouse offer two different cultural stops to choose from when planning: a historic venue with an unusual name on one hand, and a tour of a public building on the other.

For the broader travel overview: Valley County.