Randomly found this trail after missing my workout class time. It is such a nice and SHADED trail…read more They have many parking lots throughout, so you can start wherever. I also like that the trail was lined like a street! So, everyone knew which side to claim and can stay clear or the bicyclist. They had little ponds everywhere too which was cute! Many benches and water fountains throughout for pit stops if needed. I'm not sure how long the trail is, but it's lengthy

This trail is great! Lots to look at with creeks, deer, birds, turtles etc! Can get busy but is…read moresuch a great spot!

As others before me have mentioned, this park is a hidden gem in Kansas City. I'm guessing most…read morepeople do not venture to northeast KCMO much and it's time that you do! It looks like one lane is closed off for bikes and pedestrian traffic during the weekday and the entire drive is closed to traffic during the weekend. This is a gorgeous park to go for a bike ride or walk. Very well maintained roads, winding roads, and nature all around. Check out the Pendleton Heights neighborhood while you there. The beautiful old mansions (that need some TLC) flank wide tree lined boulevards.

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.

More people need to know about this place! The Rock Island Spur is a rails-to-trails conversion…read morethat starts in Pleasant Hill and goes 45+ miles to Windsor, connecting to the Katy Trail. Free of cars, largely enshrouded in trees and views of rolling farmland, this is a gem that doesn't get enough pub in the KC area. For starters, it's not necessarily close to things in the metro, but for me on the Plaza, the Pleasant Hill trailhead is about 45 minutes away. Not convenient, but also not a day's trek to get out there either. The best part of this is that you can ride your bike across a crushed limestone (technically could do on a road bike but would opt for a hybrid/cross/mountain for optimal comfort) through nature while not having to worry about cars all around you. Sure you'll have to cross some small roads here and there and be on the lookout, but it's so much more relaxing to ride on this wide trail than on the back highways. This trail is slightly more gravelly than some other limestone trails, likely because it's so new. It'll pack down more in time, but I found my average was 1 mph slower than at some other comparable spots. You'll put in work out here, but it's flat as a pancake so it balances out. Plans are in the works to connect this even closer to the metro, inching towards Lee's Summit (in progress 2018) and then connecting to the Truman Sports Complex, finished by 2020. Hope bike enthusiasts and outdoor lovers take advantage of this trail!

Love it. I ride the trail 2 or 3 times per week, weather permitting. Great little stop in…read moreChilhowee 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.

This is a nice little bike/running trail in Mission that starts right by the Mission Target and…read moreends at Martway and Lamar. Right now, it's just about a mile long, but if you don't mind running/riding on gravel it extends up to Johnson and Nall. Eventually that stretch will be asphalted. The end goal is to extend the trail to connect to other trails around town. That will be a welcome addition since this is the closest little trail to my house and I ride it when I just want to get a quick little ride in. Even though the trail is short, it is a little hilly and will give you a pretty good ride. The trail also has good signage which always gives me a little chuckle (the signs are small versions of street signs telling you the trail is going to curve). It's not a real scenic trail, there's a little creek running adjacent to it, but you really have to strain your eyes to see it. You're mostly riding beside and behind the Target and Hy-Vee. I wouldn't go out of my way to ride the Rock Creek Trail if I were you, but if you're in the neighborhood it's a nice little place to ride without being bothered by traffic. I've never seen anybody else on the trail, so you can definitely go as fast as you want without worrying about running any joggers or walkers over, which is nice. When they get it extended to a more sizable length I'll bump it up a star, but for now, it's the worst of my bike riding choices.

Great "hidden" little trail. There's a super nice park across the street with lots of parking…read more The trail is a little over three miles. It's unpaved, dog and bike friendly. I would say it's intermediate, there's some elevation gain, the path is uneven with rocks and roots, and lots of people were using walking sticks. But a beginner could walk this, it just might take a minute. I feel like this would be super pretty in the fall and I definitely want to return to do the loop again!

Great wooded trail, paths are routed fantastic, great views, and lots of options for split offs…read more Definitely a good trail for mountain biking, pet on leash friendly, and hiking. Very easy terrain in most areas of yellow path. Some elevating spots make it a boring free course

Let me burst the bubble early. There are no monkeys, and while I may not be a professional…read moregeographer 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!

This area was called "Monkey Mountains," because early settlers deemed the river bluffs too steep…read morefor even monkeys to climb. This place is as close to being out in the wild as you can get in the KC area. A little bit of a drive but worth it if you want a rugged terrain. It's perfect. Reaching the open meadow at the top is wonderful. Use bug spray and check for ticks.

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.

This beautiful park is located along the extensive Tomahawk Creek trail system along a portion of…read moreTomahawk Creek. You are almost immediately immersed in nature, with the sounds of a babbling brook and a good variety of bird calls. I noticed a good combination of walkers (including families), joggers, and bicyclists moving up and down the winding, nicely maintained, nine feet wide trail, which has several small changes in elevation. Everyone I encountered was cheerful and friendly. There was no dedicated parking. Overall, very nice.