As the fall weather cools, hiking a trail is a great way to get outside, enjoy the fresh air and watch the colors in the trees turn. There are a variety of trails all throughout the Kansas City region – from easy, paved walks to natural trails fit for mountain biking.
Which trail will you try first? Or maybe you'd like to try them all!
Stocksdale Park – Liberty, MO
901 S La Frenz Road
Stocksdale Park covers 112-acres of the eastern edge of Liberty. It provides a wide range of amenities, including conservation areas of prairie and forest, one of the region's most extensive mountain bike trails and Liberty's very popular Dog Park. The trail system explores the wooded slopes west of Rush Creek. Built and maintained in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation and the City of Liberty, the trail enhances both Stocksdale Park and the adjacent Walnut Woods Conservation area. A bike park and pump track area, built through the same partnership, provide a companion experience near the trail entrance. Learn more!
Armourdale Hike & Bike Route: Island View Loop – Kansas City, KS
18th Street & Kansas Avenue
Explore Kansas City, Kan. on foot or bike! The Armourdale Hike & Bike Route is a 1.3 mile gravel trail that runs along the Kaw River and provides beautiful views, including an island frequented in the winter by nesting eagles. Learn more!
Swope Park Trails – Kansas City, MO
Off of Oakwood Drive in Swope Park
Swope Trails is located in the heart of Swope Park, Kansas City’s largest urban park at 1,805 acres. Two loops join together to create a 12-mile single track hiking and biking facility in the core of Kansas City. The upper trail (Rancho D-LUX) is 3.5 miles on top of the limestone face. This trail is beginner level and more meandering. The lower trail Wudchuk Run)is 8 miles and parallels the limestone face that runs around the entire property. This is a more intermediate trail due to the terrain and exposed rock. There is also a .5 mile kid’s loop. Learn more!
Turkey Creek Streamway Trail – Merriam, KS
7497 Kings Cove Drive (Access point at 75th Street & W Frontage Rd)
Trek the Turkey Creek Streamway Trail in Merriam, Kansas. Located just west of the highway, the trail features four miles of paved, multi-use path running from 75th Street to Antioch Road and passes through wooded areas, a butterfly garden and several neighborhood parks. Turkey Creek Trail also runs through downtown Merriam right along the creek. It’s the perfect outing for a morning walk with friends, a quick run or bike ride, or a leisure stroll with kids and pets. During the summer, you can hop on the trail right behind the Merriam Marketplace where you can visit the Farmers’ Market (Saturdays, May – September). Learn more!
Lions Park – Bonner Springs, KS
300 W Morse
Lions Park, located in Bonner Springs, KS has many recreational opportunities for the family. Trails circle the park allowing guests to enjoy all aspects of the park's beauty. In just under a mile, you can visit the playground, ballfields, dog park, woods and creek areas. The trail also features two exercise stations for public use. Learn more!
Black Hoof Park – Lenexa, KS
9053 Monticello Road
Black Hoof Park is a 231-acre park featuring 35-acre, deep-water Lake Lenexa. The park offers a unique dam and spillway, several miles of trails through open grass and wooded areas and fun natural play areas for children. You’ll be able to experience beautiful nature and observe a wide variety of wildlife. Learn more!
Glacial Hills Scenic Byway- South Atchison Trail - Atchison, KS
US-73 & US-59 and Raven Hill Road
The Glacial Hills Scenic Byway- South Atchison Trail is a 1.5-mile concrete recreation path along the iconic road as it cuts through the southern half of Atchison. Sitting on the east side of the road, the trail mostly slopes upwards from US-59, but that just means users can look forward to the payoff of downhill riding or walking after a hearty climb.
Big Bull Creek Park – Edgerton, KS
20425 Sunflower Road
The largest park in Johnson County is located in the southwestern part of the county, wedged between Edgerton and Gardner. At over 2000 acres, the park features disc golf, picnicking and some excellent mountain bike trails. The trails are well-maintained and suitable for all levels of users, and take riders throughout native grassland and habitat just minutes outside of Kansas City. Learn more!
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