Explore the best rated trails in North Kansas City, MO, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Burroughs Creek Trail and Linear Park and Rock Creek Trail (KS) . With more than 76 trails covering 485 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
I live close to Walkins Mill. Has both shade and sun. Hilly and flat areas in the almost 4 miles. Not ideal for fast bike riders. Trail needs fixed, could twist an ankle if running. But still great for casual cyclists, families, dogs and walkers.
As a local resident, I was thrilled to discover that the Flint Hills Trail runs directly through Herington and wanted to explore more of what’s described as one of Kansas’s most scenic long-distance trails. Unfortunately, the segment between Herington and Delavan feels forgotten — undermaintained, underpromoted, and in some areas, barely passable. There are no directional signs or kiosks marking the trailhead within Herington, and most residents I’ve spoken to don’t use the trail at all or frequently. Access can be found off N F Street near the edge of town (no public parking lot), but once you begin walking, it quickly becomes evident that this portion hasn’t received consistent upkeep in years. Grasses and brush are heavily overgrown along and across the path, sometimes reaching knee to waist height. Drainage is poor in spots, and the trail bottlenecks frequently due to barbed wire fencing and narrow rocky corridors, making it difficult to exit quickly if needed. There are no benches, bathrooms, safety features, or trail mileage indicators along this portion. I encountered no other hikers or riders — and very little sign that anyone else uses this stretch regularly. Most notably, on my most recent walk I observed over a dozen large scat piles spaced along a 1–1.5 mile stretch near the US-77 underpass, many of which appeared fresh (within 12 hours), contained hair, had a strong urine scent, and were significantly larger in diameter than what is typical of local coyotes or raccoons. There was also visible tree bark stripping nearby. I’ve submitted photos and a report to Kansas Wildlife & Parks out of an abundance of caution, as the signs could potentially indicate the presence of a large omnivore or predator (possibly a bobcat, bear, or mountain lion passing through). This section of trail has great potential and stunning views of Kansas prairie and farmland, but without basic upkeep, signage, or safety monitoring, it’s not suitable for families or casual walkers. I hope more attention is given to this western end of the trail so it can become a safe and welcoming community asset again.
Great place to ride with kids. Perfectly flat, wide and of packed rock chips. Not pavement, but close. We park in the parking lot just north of the Bowersock dam and ride east in the evenings. Great place to watch the sunset, and often see wildlife. Grandson counted 83 deer one ride on Thanksgiving weekend. Often sit a while where we access the trail, to watch the Kansas River flow over the dam. Great place for watching eagles in the fall and winter.
We rode from KC Sport Complex to Windsor as the first leg of our Katy Trail ride at the end of April. The 14 mile stretch from the stadium to the end of the first segment in Lee's Summit is the most groomed. You should absolutely stop at Crane Brewing about 4 miles south of the stadium for the first beer of the ride. If you have the ability to be shuttled across the break from Lee's Summit to Pleasant Hill (or just north to Pleasant Hill Lake), do so, otherwise you are riding on busy streets with little or no shoulder. The small portion of the MOPAC trail is very well groomed. The Medford trailhead is great with water, shade, and a toilet. Definitely stop at the store in Chilhowee. Trailhead in Leeton had water, shade, and toilet (though the toilet had been vandalized with a lot of graffiti).
The biggest issue of the ride was the trail condition. Rain from the previous week had flooded portions of the trail south of Medford. The material being used to replace the washout is very, very soft. Couple that with some rain the previous day and the last half of the trail was like riding through peanut butter. We were making about 2/3 the distance per hour we anticipated and the constant churn to keep moving was exhausting.
Overall it was a good ride, but the conditions did put a damper on things for a while and could definitely turn a fun family ride into a slog.
The south-end trailhead at Northgate is closed until Jan 2026.
First, it amazes me how well communities care for the trails. We are so lucky to have access to so many nice trails in western MO and eastern KS. Rode about 19 miles today starting at the Porter Memorial Playground off Little Blue and Jackson Drive. We went south first and didn't get far before we found the trail closed to construction, then went north to find a crew removing a downed tree (great work and thanks!) then got as far as the bridge just south of Bundschu Road to find the bridge closed. Really would like to ride the entire trail some day, but this was farther than we got the first time. Trail was in excellent condition.
This fabulous trail has it all including beautiful views, crushed gravel and paved sections, several places to stop with benches and "outhouses", hills, and a great lunch spot for after the ride (Crane Brewing Company). My husband and I love this trail for biking on the weekends so much that we drive across town to ride it!
What a wonderful trail ride! Very well maintained! On a Friday, I started at north trailhead, Mill Creek Streamway Park, named after the original mill built for the Shawnee. Explored Nelson Island before heading south to the southern terminus at Woodland and Northgate. A great ride with ups and downs, switchbacks, and a good number of nice bridges. A fair number of riders, walkers and runners. The trail had a centerline so everyone stayed in their lane. A great Johnson County Kansas trail that I will ride again!
We rode bikes on Indian Creek Trail between State Line all the way to the Blue River Trail and thought it was really beautiful.
We rode bikes on Indian Creek Trail between State Line all the way to the Blue River Trail and thought it was really beautiful.
I rode this trail on September 16, 2024. The signs on the trail are present but on "first look" can be missed by the uninitiated and once read are still slightly confusing. The signs are simply "waist high mile marker posts " showing directional arrows and text point to both access roads nearby (there are many!) as well as general trail direction. So read the signs carefully your first time out! The needed info is on these posts, albeit in a confusing manner.
The trail has "a few smaller hills" that should be considered closer to beginner level: they are not exceedingly long or tall for most folks. The majority of the trail trends as flat IMO.
The trail is fun to ride and certainly has scenic beauty. The trail path is a bit wider than I expected and the surface is in excellent shape at the time of my ride.
My greatest challenge was finding the zero mile starting point! The trail map on this web site, and on Google maps, are both technically incorrect. The trail's actual starting point is in the EH Young Riverfront Park parking lot, immediately east of the Argosy Casino property, next to the restrooms and the river. This park is also, by far, the best place to park anywhere on the southern part of the trail.
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