The Most Delectable Hiking in Kansas City

Parkville Nature Sanctuary

★★★★★ 4.8 (72)

"My new favorite local park! Plan on coming here regularly. Saw turkey, deer, black rat snake, beaver, ducks, hummingbird, & lots of butterflies. Very relaxing place. Had lovely picnic lunch here. Love how shady the majority of the trails were. Trails are very easy. Can't wait to come back in the fall. The waterfall is quite pretty, & the streams. Quite an idyllic park. No dogs allowed, & there are no bathrooms either."

Line Creek Trail

★★★★★ 4.8 (5)

"So glad I stumbled upon this trail! It is easiest for me to park by the Line Creek community center; the trailhead here is almost a halfway point. There are more parking lots along the trail so take a look at the map online.The trail is well-paved. Plenty of trees and water flowing from the creek. Some areas feel more secluded so all you hear are the birds and squirrels bustling about. Near mile marker 5, you come across some residential homes, but it is still nice. There's a marker every 0.2 miles. I can't seem to run for very long without getting distracted by all of the scenery. I've seen families, plenty of dog walkers, and bicyclists. I might consider bringing my own bike, myself. At the parking lot on 68th and Waukomis, there is a bike servicing station and a portable toilet.This a well-maintained and safe trail. Enjoy!"

Weston Bend State Park

★★★★★ 4.6 (45)

"Awesome trail! There were a lot of people on a nice fall day. The parking lot was full but there are other parking spots in lots nearby. The trail stars off as paved and then you can step off into a more forest-y trail which is more my jam! There were lots of hills which was perfect for some exercise and when you get to the top, it is a beautiful overview of the river! We did about a 4 mile hike around the whole park. It was perfect. also dog friendly!!!"

Wyandotte County Lake Park

★★★★☆ 4.2 (20)

"Without a doubt a diamond in the rough... except there really isn't too much rough :-). Love the area around the park; but once inside... OML, this place is beyond beautiful. Great trails for walking, cycling and running. Much visit and when you do, do yourself a favor and put away your electronics for a while and enjoy the natural beauty."

Hidden Valley Park Trail

★★★★☆ 3.5 (2)

"Went up here for a father's day hike. A few things gave us the heebie jeebies. Empty parking lot initially, guy in a minivan came in shortly after us, didn't get out of his car, then left after we armed the car alarm.Trail had some nice views, but wasn't terribly well maintained, lots of erosion, and there were quite a few side trails. Traffic noise was audible occasionally, but not bad.Coming back to the car, 4 guys were standing around it, but they were just looking at it, I guess... Don't think we'll be coming back here."

Mill Creek Streamway Park - Wilder Dr Entrance

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (4)

"Nice trail! We took the dog for a walk around "Nelson Island". The trail follows Mill Creek and meets up with the Kansas River. This spot has open prairie areas and heavily wooded ones. Bring sunscreen and bug spray! We saw lots of turtles, toads, butterflies, and even a snake swimming across the creek. The birds were happily chirping away. Very pretty and relaxing. This is area makes for a great quick getaway from the city. This entrance is the northern most entrance for the trail. There are picnic shelters and a playground available just off the parking lot. A port-a-potty is available, but usually gross, so use the bathroom before you get here."

Maple Woods Natural Area

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"If you're looking for fall leaves then you have found the right place. This natural area is home to small forest of Maple trees. Those Maple trees are at their best from late September through early November, as Kansas City transitions through its seasons.The area is home to a main trail, which is roughly a mile long in distance and has some off shoots, if you have time for a side quest. You'll share these trails with other hikers. Dogs are allowed as long as they're friendly and on a leash. I didn't see any bikes.There is a small parking lot at the entrance. I don't think you'll have any issues finding a spot, but I can see it filling up at peak times."

Blue River Parkway Trailhead

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"By far the best unpaved trail in the KC Metro area! Well maintained and sprawling, I believe there are three separate trails, one is paved and is named the Blue River Greenway Trail and then there are (questionably) two unpaved counterparts. One is well marked with the green sign that says "River" but there is another set of signs with blue that read "BOHOCA". Though I am not too sure on what the acronym stands for I did recognize signs before the park entrance that marks these particular trails as historical preservation of the wagon trail, which is pretty neat. The trails are easy to find from the Minor Tennis Courts entrance off of Blue River Parkway however, there are additional trailheads scattered haphazardly on Blue River Parkway which don't have any adequate/viable parking options. There is no master map to denote the start of the trails and I don't believe there are any mile markers either but if you look to the left of the tennis courts there's a small footpath cutting through the grass. It leads to a wonderfully winding dirt trail following a babbling stream with picturesque rocky beaches-the prettiest beaches in Missouri that you'll ever see haha. You have to walk a little ways to find the water but it's not a task, just listen and it presents itself with rocky "stairs" cut into the Earth leading down to its shores, there are multiple points that lead you easily down by the water. Even with wet, sometimes slippery, obstacles the trails are extremely dog friendly, I even noticed horseshoe tracks along the hike so I'm assuming there are stables located somewhere near Minor Park. My little dog had a blast navigating her way across creeks and splashing under tunnel. The hike itself is not challenging with little to no hills or steep inclines however, I could see it being a tad bit confusing if you veered off in different directions but if you pick to the left or to the right and stick with it you should be golden pony boy."

Tomahawk Creek Trail

★★★★★ 4.7 (7)

"What a lovely, relaxing spot. It's a little hidden gem in old Leawood. The trails are great for walking/running/biking/skating, etc. There are a few covered picnic tables, and the animal watching is so fun. Mostly geese, but we've often seen beautiful Blue Heron here too. This is an older trail, but I feel safe on it. It's well maintained with a nice big parking lot. From the TrailLink app: "The Tomahawk Creek Trail follows its namesake waterway through the Kansas City suburbs of Overland Park and Leawood. The trail provides access for the thousands of nearby residents to a number of commercial centers as well as athletic fields, parks and two golf courses. Much of the trail's route is heavily wooded, offering a peaceful respite from daily life in the surrounding nature.The trail also connects to a number of sidepaths, expanding access to the recreational amenity for even more residents. The Switzer Road Trail, 133rd Street Path and Nall Avenue Path link directly to the Tomahawk Creek Trail at the corresponding roads. At its northern end, the trail also meets the popular Indian Creek Bike/Hike Trail.""

Ernie Miller Nature Center

★★★★☆ 4.4 (21)

"We were looking for an inexpensive family day out, and found it in Ernie Miller Nature Center. It was FREE! Now. That's my idea of inexpensive! The museum was neat for a small town nature museum. It really wasn't that informative. They had lots of live reptiles. Yuk. The museum had some info on primitive pioneer days, but not much.Again, this is for the onlooker, not the enthusiast. The nature hike was. Well. As nature hikes go. Somewhat uninformative as to what we were looking at, (Okay, totally void of info on what we were looking at) but it was cool to take a nature walk and look for wood ticks when we got home!They have a few owls on premises, those are cool. And a hawk? I think. I don't recall.At any rate, take sensible shoes, water, and a snack. The trails can be um....fun!"

Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center

★★★★★ 4.8 (11)

"I have lived in KC for over 30 years and never once have I been here. I felt like I was on vacation. Miles and miles of trails. They are very clearly marked and maintained. Some trails can be steep so I would recommend a hiking stick if you have stability issues. There is so much landscape to see it is just breathtaking. We didn't see any birds or animals unfortunately but we did get a couple ticks. There are not many restrooms and no trash cans on the trails so make sure you plan accordingly in the parking lot. Bikes and dogs are not allowed on the trails either. I know bummer but it was very peaceful and quiet. There are bike racks in the parking lots for those that wish to ride on the pavement to the trails."

Route 152 Trail

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"This trail is fabulously maintained. It is paved and wide. Our family walks, runs, and bikes this trail. It intersects with the Line Creek Trail, and makes our city more navigable."

Rozarks Nature Trail

★★★★☆ 4 (1)

"We have made it our goal to find hiking trails we haven't explored yet and this is one we for sure would have never stumbled upon on our own. With the help of Google we found a list that included Rozarks. Off we set with our Google maps to find the trail head by car. We were led to the Rosedale Arch and thought we were in the wrong spot. However we weren't giving up so after poking around a bit we saw the trail entrance. We soon discovered it is one of many all through the Rosedale area. This has been developed and still looks to be developed since 2015. It is not well marked at all and for sure would advise to take a look at the map on the website link. That being said we did not do that but we also never felt "lost". There are tree markings to those that pay attention. It is very peaceful and serene. The trails are steep and rough in many spots so this is not what I would call "easy" hiking. The trail also seems to be geared towards mountain bikes and therefore you need to be aware of them and yield to them. We were here on a weekday morning and didn't see any. No amenities except trashcans on the heads of the trail so do come prepared."

James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area

★★★★☆ 4.3 (7)

"Good place to bring the chairs outs and watch nature.If your patient enough and quiet relaxing on your fold up chairs. You're going to see some small four-legged animals. More raccoons, possums. If you post up somewhere by a pond you're definitely going to see and hear lot of loud wild animal noises from frogs and you'll see some turtles there.I recommend bring your binoculars, the ones that can capture electronic pics. You're going to see different species of birds my favorite one are the red-headed vultures.You're going to see deers here pretty often. This is my new hangout so I'm going to try to capture pictures of these animals and post them here.Enjoy!!!"

Watkin's Mill

★★★★☆ 4.1 (22)

"As one of the closest State Parks to Kansas City this is another one of KC's "hidden gems". It's also a park I am quite familiar with due to it's amenities. It has a relatively easy to ride or walk 3 1/2 mile trail that is very scenic as it loops around the small lake. Speaking of the lake if you have a kayak, this is a great place to bring it and spend an hour or so exploring. (It's also a great place to test out your kayak gear before going on more epic adventures!) The Woolen Mill is well worth taking the time to explore, it's a piece of Missouri history that was fortunately preserved before development consumed the surrounding land. This state park also offers plenty of well shaded camp sites that have made for many enjoyable summer weekends spent outside the city. If you want to get away from KC on a short day trip, Watkins Mill should be on your short list of great destinations to explore!"

Nature Sanctuary Martha Lafite Thompson

★★★★☆ 3.8 (9)

"Nature-loves rejoice...Martha Lafite offer a nice mixture of terrain with paved and un-paved trails winding through forest, streams and fields. I love relaxing here in the evening with a stroll through the fields. Spring is the best time when the wild flowers are blooming. Unfortunately, furry friends aren't allowed, but if you are looking for a nice place to stroll, this nature sanctuary is highly recommended."

Monkey Mountain Nature Preserve

★★★★☆ 3.9 (8)

"Let me burst the bubble early. There are no monkeys, and while I may not be a professional geographer or cartographer, but I highly suspect anything here qualifies as a mountain. Yes, it IS a highly misleading name. But don't let that stop you from enjoying a fun day.I've been here a couple of times, and I really dig it. It's not too far out of a drive from the city, but it feels like full on nature! There are plenty of trails on which to hike, and I've seen quite a few people riding horses. This is, in fact, where I learned that horses scare the hell out of my dog. Anyhow, by my count that means this place is good for at least three species: people, dogs, and horses. Not too shabby, if you ask me. There are quite a few different terrains, my personal favorite being the hay meadow. We like to take blankets and pack a bit of a picnic. It's great for kite flying, frisbee or a rousing game of catch!One warning: this place is a bug haven. Check yourself and your animals for ticks. But a little blood sucking parasite is a small price to pay for a nice day out in mother nature!"

Rock Island Spur State Park

★★★★★ 4.7 (3)

"Love it. I ride the trail 2 or 3 times per week, weather permitting. Great little stop in Chilhowee if you need a bite to eat. Hopefully they get the trail connected to Lee's Summit...I really think ridership would increase.If you use the fairgrounds trailhead in Pleasant Hill, you will have to detour on paved road for a short distance. This is a non issue, as it isn't very far, and the road is fairly lightly traveled by cars. The alternative trail head off Purvis Road involves driving a mile or so down a really dusty gravel road to avoid a half mile of pavement on your bike at the other location. Not worth it. I greatly prefer the downtown P Hill trailhead and just deal with riding on the street for two minutes."

LaBenite Park

★★★★☆ 4 (1)

"I discovered this park in my search for a new hiking spot. We just moved to the area from St. Louis and I was in desperate need of a more "natural" trail. I'm glad I found this place! You'll first notice there's (what looks like) a nice sitting area with a bathroom, and that overlooks the fields leading up to the playground. I've always seen families on the playground, but I cannot personally attest to its cleanliness or stability. There was also a sporting event of some kind going on in the park's field this past weekend, so it's a family-friendly spot. The parking lot is pretty large. There are neat little secluded parking spots that have a nice view of the river--they would provide a cool picnic area. I always see couples, old and young, just hanging out under the trees, taking in the scenery. I also see lots of fishermen hoping for catfish. The actual trail doesn't have a name. This is the same trail that bow hunters take to get to the main hunting ground. I haven't come across a hunter on the trail yet, but I see them in the parking lot frequently. The trail itself is peaceful, pretty, and easy. No hills, no challenges, just a nice relaxing stroll. It's a great beginners trail and a good running trail. You'll find the trail head in between the yellow markers at the very back of the parking lot. Remember to wear bright colors during hunting season!"

Perry State Park

★★★★☆ 3.5 (8)

"Perry state park is about 20 miles northeast of Topeka Kansas and is one of the better Kansas state parks that I have been to. A beach, campgrounds, and a boating/ fishing area is available to the public as well as an extensive hiking area. I partook in the hiking area, and it was well worth it. This is a real hiking area, no paved trails or off looks, just rocky crags, and a challenge. There are about eight trails that weave extensively through several different terrains including wooded areas, lake sides, prairie grass, and steep climbs. The trails were not well marked and one could easily get lost, as I said before the trails often weaved into each other and it was hard to tell which trail you were on at times. Even the provided maps were not that helpful because there was no legend to tell you how long the trails are. These trails are not really meant for the leisurely hiking/ bicycling type, and as a word of warning make sure you bring bug repellent, after the trek my partner and I found several ticks and other bugs crawling all over us."

George Owens Nature Park

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"This is the nicest park I have been to in the area. Park worker, Marjorie, was so friendly and a huge help in showing us everything available to do. In her words, "this park is the jewel in the crown of Independence parks."Pros:- new reservation building with fossils; taxidermy; live snakes, turtles and fish; and several kid-friendly activities- information desk with maps of the park, hiking maps of the whole town, info on local events and more- plenty of picnic tables and available trash cans- outdoor restroom- paved trail for seeing butterflies in the summer - several unpaved trails- fishing lakes- wooded, so plenty of wildlife to see- well-kept, easy to get around- seasonal events, like the Halloween pumpkin walkCons:Not really any to speak of. Lots of geese means lots of poop, so wear shoes you don't mind getting dirty. :P could probably use another restroom or two, for the amount of ground you could cover while walking here.This is a beautiful park! Do yourself a favor and visit!"

Prairie Creek Greenway

★★★★☆ 4 (2)

"Nice short trail but long enough to get some exercise. Easy 20 minute bike or about an hour walk. Paved and well maintained. Many bridges over the creek and a small waterfall. The trail is currently being extended to make a loop. There is a selfie station and a bike maintenance station. Dogs are allowed on leash and there are doggy clean up stations."