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.

It was closed. The waterfall was a homeless porta potty, there have been multiple fires started…read morethat have destroyed the beautiful landscape that was there. Plus it has become unsafe and a dump where everyone dumps their trash! Yet if you go on their website it saids it's open and shows all the beauty that it used to be. Do not waste your time visiting' it's a huge disappointment! If I could choose no stars I would, but it's making me choose at least one.

This beautiful and scenic area exudes a real nature and woodsy forest feel. It used to be open for…read morescenic drives, but now it's blocked off to vehicles and has transformed into a stunning stretch for biking, jogging, running, or dog walking. If you know where to look, there are numerous off-road walking trails through the trees and brush. During the Christmas season, they reopen it for a drive-through Christmas lights exhibit. Personally, I find it nostalgic and beautiful, maybe even romantic, to walk through the fall or winter evening with a friend. It offers some of the most fantastic views in Kansas City. My favorite spot is to sneak to the top of the water fountain and light up a blunt!

It's a great park with beautiful walking trails, a huge playground and lots of seating…read more It's well maintained and there are usually kids of all ages enjoying the slides, the zip line, the gaga ball, etc. There are a couple of porta potties too.

Love going there to sled safely! A great little space to get some sun with the family.read more

I stopped by this quiet park on the way home so my grandson could try out the playground. This park…read moreis inside a residential area so there is no actual parking lot. But parking can be done on the street near the curb of the park. It's a quiet park with a small playground with newer equipment. There is a variety of regular swings, and also the larger swings for several kids. There is a walking trail that appears to be a loop. It's a small park, but it's nice and peaceful.

Catch us at a park all year long! Quail Creek Park has been in our rotation of parks and it is such…read morea great, little park! This park is tucked away in a neighborhood. There's no dedicated parking lot, but plenty of street parking. They have swings (2 baby ones, 2 normal ones, and two round tire type swings). The playground equipment is kind of advanced, but there are definitely things for younger littles. The ground is rubber material, so great for crawlers/ kiddos who are starting to walk! They also have a little creek and walking paths behind the park!

My husband and I Roeland Park, this nature sanctuary the day before Mother's Day. We had a heck of…read morea time finding it because the address was listed incorrectly. The nature sanctuary is on 12th St. and the connecting street is East St. Once we figured out where it was, we took our time on one of the trails I believe there are four trail options and the longest is 1.6 mile loop and the second is a 1 mile loop and the other ones are less than that. But it is a beautiful nature sanctuary with lots of greenery, woods, streams, water falls, and benches to enjoy the scenery. No pets are allowed since it is a nature sanctuary. There is a covered area off of one of the hikes that we went to that leads to some picnic tables. There's also several picnic tables by the parking lot. There are also bathrooms near the parking lot. The parking lot is next to the track and field belonging to the college. We really enjoyed our slow, meandering walk/hike and will definitely go back.

Hidden right by the bustle of downtown parkville, the parkville nature sanctuary has become one of…read moremy favorite places to do an easy hike. The trails are well maintained, and while there are some inclines at certain points, the trail is easy to follow and not strenuous. I love the various view points where you can stop and really appreciate natural beauty, like the waterfall or the butterfly pass. It feels like this is in its own little world despite being so close to the city. Be aware that the parking lot is pretty small so at peak times it may be hard to park.

I cannot believe this place was so close to us and we didn't know it! Great for walking the dog or…read moretaking the family for an afternoon stroll! Lots of nature and scenery. I've posted some of my own photos so you can see the bridge and such. Love this place!

Very diverse Park with a lot to offer. They have walking trails, baseball fields, picnic areas and…read moreeven have electric car parking spot with chargers. I usually walk from my house to here on Saturdays and Sundays. A very natural and relaxing view on the trails

I discovered this park in my search for a new hiking spot. We just moved to the area from St. Louis…read moreand 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!

Good for the kiddos from about 2-8 yrs old. Never really busy unless the ball fields have sports…read moregoing on. Only 4 swings but also includes a walking trail around the park.

Gorgeous Park, especially in the spring. Perfect for walking, running, hiking, biking with or…read morewithout your dogs or children. Both paved and nature trails for all levels of activities. Pretty quiet and not ever super crowded. Love this park!

Disclaimer: Rating for trails/observation tower *only*…read more A good walk or hike in some wide open green spaces will do wonders for the soul. Sure, Kansas can be limited in some of its landscape offerings, but if you don't take advantage of what's right in front of you, then you might miss the beauty that is many of our area lakes & parks. Kill Creek Park is just that beauty. There are trails of various difficulty, but none that are so strenuous that you could not do them with more than moderate effort. You can hike around a forest, around a lake, or you could just hike out in the prairie. There are multiple trails, all of which are well-marked, and they blend together at certain spots. Mountain/trail bikers might share the space at times but I have always had pleasant sharers of the paths. The trails are well-maintained with openings here & there for power to run through and the overall elevation changes are minimal. We've done the 'Outer Hank' several times and the circuit takes less than two hours. Wear your hiking shoes as some of the trails can have tricky steps and keep your eyes open to see nature in front of you. The observation tower is 3+ levels offering different views, all of which open in any direction. There is even an elevator to the top that is in service for most of the year. I suggest an evening view to the west for an optimal Kansas sunset, many of which can't be replicated. If you want mountains or beach, then you won't find it here. But if you want the peaceful, pastoral open skies of the West, then Kill Creek offers you just a taste of nature can do.

This a neat little park tucked away in a quiet Liberty neighborhood…read more An asphalt trail surrounds the park, which is a bit unique, because it's cut into two sides by a creek. The west side of the park includes a rope-based spiderweb contraption, that the kids can climb and swing from, a softball field, a soccer field and a bathroom facility. The east side of the park includes a playground with some swings, a jungle gym and a slide, a cabana area for groups and lots of green space. It's the perfect spot for a picnic, a place to layout and read a book if the weather is right or a even a place to toss a around a frisbee or a football.