I love this trail. Easy to get to. East to run/ walk with the dog. Not a lot of foot traffic…read more Beautiful sites, it even runs behind some gorgeous homes. Easily should be able to get a 10k run in here. Even a bike station and a port a potty at the trail head

Nice short trail but long enough to get some exercise. Easy 20 minute bike or about an hour walk…read more 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.

I can't believe I've lived in KC for so long, and I just found Wyandotte County Lake…read more This is a 12 minute drive from where we live in Parkville MO, so we can be paddling or hiking within 10 minutes from leaving our house. A few things to know: 1. Kayaking or Paddleboarding- you must have a permit (sticker) displayed on your craft. You purchase this at the marina office - and they are closed Tuesday/ Wednesday. It's $60- season. We hear they are strict about enforcing this. The launch spot is very close to the marina office- and is amazing. The launch point is zero entry and it has a parking lot- so you don't have to drag your craft very far. It's great! We kayaked on a Saturday and only saw a couple of boats. We love the calm quiet water and the beautiful nature experience. 2. Hiking- there are over 10 miles of hiking trails around the lake. They are maintained by Urban Trail Co- and their site is where they post trail closings (they are closed after big rains). The trails are pretty hilly-and we have been using them for Colorado Backpacking training. It's perfect! Bring bug spray- and I wouldn't recommend going alone since they are very isolated in the woods. There don't seem to be clearly marked trail heads- we parked at the spillway parking lot or the shelters seem to trail entry points as well. Go get outside! Enjoy! ‍

I took my two grandkids to this park to check out the playground. The playground is large and…read moreexpansive. The kids enjoyed their time there. There were some low spots under some playground equipment, where a recent rain had made little ponds of mulch. There are public bathrooms right by the playground and a variety of benches. It is in full sun, but the day we went it was cloudy. The park itself is enormous because I drove around and it took quite some time! The positives about the park is the playground, the beautiful lake, driving through the park reminded me of driving through a deciduous forest. They have a marina where people were loading boats to take out on the lake. There was a variety of little gravel parking spaces here and there as you drove on the road. If it was somewhere near an opening to a little spot by the lake, then I would see a guy standing and fishing. During my time driving through the park, I only passed two cars. I think most people are concentrated in the play area, which was not that many people. Or they are using the marina for boating, or there is one area where you can park and I think go down and view a type of dam which I did not look at. That is the positive things about the park. I did not notice any wooden trails or trail markers, I noticed one paved path that said it was a trail and it looked like it was wide enough that biking people could use it. I think there is a lot of under utilized space in this park that could be used for better use. The positive about that being under utilized is that wild animals are probably enjoying it! I do feel that aspects of the park are unsafe. For example, there is a building right next to the play area, I don't know what it's used for but multiple windows had been broken out and then replaced with board. Then other window windows were just simply empty like they gave up. They had a large and high fence surrounding the air conditioner that led to that building so obviously people had probably stripped the air conditioner in the past for components to sell. Also, there was quite a bit of trash on the playground, which I walked around and picked up. Their trash cans are not covered. They're just open black bins with the top cut off to throw trash into. That is probably why I saw multiple ones tipped over because wild animals like raccoons are getting into them. I only saw one Park Ranger, and that was near a tree company that was dealing with a tree that was knocked over in the storm. They have a lot of side roads that we have a sign saying it's leading to a shelter for a picnic. I drove up three of them and it will take a while to get to a particular shelter and they will have a swingset and maybe one other toy, but they are very downtrodden looking. The shelters are in bad condition and very dark because the trees around them need to be trimmed. They do seem to have bathrooms by the shelters. I noticed that the hours of this park are from 6 AM to midnight, which is pretty long to stay open for a park. I feel like that leads to criminal activity. When I would drive down several of these longer roads leading to a shelter, there would be occasionally one vehicle on a little gravel parking space and just sitting in their car. If they had trails in this park, I would not feel safe by myself in hiking on them. I think the reason there is hardly anyone at this park because there's really not much to do except fish and they didn't even seem to have a lot of areas to do that unless I missed it, I think the marina seem to be the busiest area. I probably would not go back to this particular park for these reasons. I think it's a shame because it's so large and beautiful but very under utilized in the acreage about what could be on this park.

Please note, this review is ONLY for the Watkins Mill State Park Lake and the loop bike trail…read morearound the lake. This lake is great for beginner kayakers! 5 Stars! We took an inflatable, tandem kayak, and we felt very comfortable despite our lack of experience. Our tracking fin only caught on the very edges of the lake where we expected the fin to touch the bottom. There didn't seem to be any issues with boat wakes. The boat ramp was easy to use, and you don't need a permit for your kayak if you go. We enjoyed seeing some wildlife, including a small snake, a raccoon, birds, and several types of fish. The bike trail was a good beginner trail. Parts of it were paved, parts of it were gravel, and parts of it were over wooden plank bridges. The trail was wide enough for walkers and bikers to pass each other safely. There were small inclines and declines, but they were very manageable. For reference, I am not someone that exercises often, and I'm also currently in physical therapy for a hurt knee. If I can do it, you can too! The only reason I didn't give this trail 5 stars was because it was poorly marked. It seemed like some of it was being repaired because there were signs to mark the detour route. However, my friend and I did have to guess at one point which way to go, and we thankfully guessed correctly. If you're nervous, make sure to study the trail map, take a picture of it, or ask for help at the Visitor Center. I do not recommend this trail for individuals in wheelchairs, as the inclines and declines may be too tough. Finally, I want to comment on the restrooms. There are several spots around the lake that have restrooms, but they are primitive. It's the kind where you don't flush (just a deep hole), though there is a physical enclosure (not just a port-a-pottie). You may have to "shop around" because the restrooms at the boat ramp were so HORRID, I couldn't even walk in after opening the door. The second restrooms I went to at a different spot around the lake were cleaner, but there were WASPS flying in and around the restroom. Thankfully, there were no issues with lack of toilet paper. If you're like me, plan accordingly and just use the restrooms at the Visitor Center. They're MUCH nicer. If you want to risk the ones near the lake, bring some wasp spray!

I had friends from out of town camping at Watkins Mill, State Park, and the camping experience is…read morevery nice. All camping sites allow for one vehicle. The swimming beach is very clean and large. The only setback is the awful signage. I recommend if you do stay at Watkins Mill State Park for camping to disregard your map apps, and take 69 highway to 92 to the state park entrance. Otherwise you'll be driving around for 45 minutes without a clue of where you're going.

Weston Bend State Park is a peaceful and beautiful spot located near the town of Weston, MO. The…read morepark is famous for its picturesque beauty, walking trails that winds through forests overlooking the Missouri River. I visited the park in winter last yr and fell in love with it. Primarily I just hiked around but I saw many people bird watching, and enjoying the quiet nature as well. The best part is the scenic overlook that gives a beautiful view of the river valley, especially at sunset. When I visited the park, it felt calm and less crowded. That definitely makes it a nice place for families or anyone who wants a break from busy life. My suggestion to everyone one is to hike at this park and then head to the town of Weston to enjoy some hot wine at Pritle Wineries followed by amazing food at the O'malleys pub.

Small park that nestles along the Missouri River…read more Trails for hiking and biking exist on the eastern side. You can also camp and picnic. If you hike along the West Ridge you will climb up to the ridge and come up to some overlooks that look into Kansas. The park was unmanned on Indigenous Peoples Day, but folks were able to access the park. If you have pets, the park has a small dog park at the front end. Plenty of benches can be found along the lower trails to take a load off. Right now the leaves are turning into their fall shades and the birds that come in the fall are arriving for the birders that are on the hunt. Plenty of information can be found at the trail head. There are clean bathrooms. The water fountains don't work, but the taps do. The weather today was awesome. I will return.

Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center in Blue Springs, Missouri, is fantastic from start to…read morefinish. Whether you're visiting with kids or exploring on your own, there's something here for everyone. The nature center itself is large and packed with educational exhibits that encourage hands-on learning. Topics range from fire safety and local wildlife to water ecosystems and conservation. There are live animals on display, a theater with a continuous live video feed of a baby falcon nest, and a large children's area complete with climbing features and slides. It's both educational and entertaining. Everything inside the center is exceptionally clean, well-organized, and thoughtfully designed. The staff truly make the experience special. During our visit, they brought several turtles outside for visitors to see up close. The kids were fascinated watching them explore while staff members shared information about turtle behavior, unique characteristics, habitats, and safe handling practices. It was engaging, interactive, and educational all at the same time. The outdoor grounds are just as impressive. Beautiful flower gardens, a pond, and well-maintained walking trails surround the center. Trail maps are available inside and include descriptions and difficulty information for each route. Families with children can also pick up a laminated scavenger hunt sheet to make exploring the trails even more fun. The maps clearly indicate which trails are paved and which are gravel, making it easy to choose a route that fits your needs. What stood out most was the attention to detail throughout the entire property. It's obvious that the staff and volunteers put their hearts into creating a welcoming, educational, and memorable experience for visitors of all ages. This is one of the best nature centers in the area and a place we will gladly visit again and again.

This land has been close to my heart for most of my life. I…read moreremember my mom taking us on nature hikes, way back before I knew they were so cool. Now, it's one of my favorite pastimes as an adult. The Hubs and I had a rare day together that we decided to enjoy outside. He had never been here before, so it's just a hop from where we live. Seemed like an easy decision. Went through the nature center first, which is always a nice start. Fun to see the creatures and read about the past. Then we decided to do the longer hike. Great choice. Defined, clean paths. Not terribly busy, even though you are directly in the city. Plenty of wildlife, this time was smaller spring babies. Still a great reminder of seasons and the importance of protecting their environment. Overall, well worth a visit.

I was most recently here for the Parkville Microbrew Festival but I've been here numerous times. I…read moremost often come for the off leash dog park. They have it divided into small and large dog with lots of open space and even a water pump when the weather is warm. They always have plenty of parking and there's portable toilets throughout the park. I also enjoy the trail that runs along the river. It's paved, pretty flat, and maybe 3 ish miles so it's great for everyone. They have a few other trails that are less paved and go through more of the wooded area if you want a little more ruggedness. They also have playgrounds and shelters. Plus they do various festivals and activities throughout the year. Definitely stop by and bring a pup!

This is by far my favorite park i've ever been to. over the years, they have updated this park and…read moremade it more community friendly! If you go on a warm day, the park will be flooded with families, dogs, and members of the community. It is always a bright and fun place to be. They have a pickleball court, a huge playground, volleyball court, a long and short trail, water views, baseball area, open grass area, bathrooms, and lots of parking. what more could you ask for?? One of my favorite things to do at this park is sit under the trees with my boyfriend and have a picnic. This park offers many shaded areas as well. After being at the park, it is within walking distance of park university and many restaurants/coffee shops, and shopping areas. All around, it is worth a drive to visit!! This is a good solo park or family park,

A gorgeous small park with Turkey Creek running through it. Werner Park is connected to other area…read moreparks via the paved walking/biking trails that run north and south. The Merriam Marketplace is connected and it and hosts the Saturday Farmers Market, thus providing a great park to get a few steps before shopping or just grab some treats from the market and enjoy some tranquility at the picnic tables next to the waterway.

Lovely park nestled in the middle of Merriam, Kansas..I believe this path connects with Waterfall…read morepark. This park is the home for the Merriam Farmers market. Very quiet, peaceful and not frequented on Sunday at least. I would try this park during the winter months in hopes the city parks and recreation keep the pathes clean of ice and snow

We have made it our goal to find hiking trails we haven't explored yet and this is one we for sure…read morewould 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.