20 Best Bike Trails & Paths in Kansas City: Get Active Together
There are so many options to get out and bike, something for every skill level. So, explore the bike trails in Kansas City!
Many are long enough to make a day of it, some are perfect for a quick 30-minute bike ride. There are paved routes and dirt trails too. We hope you’re inspired to get the kids out to enjoy some fresh air and explore some new terrain.
Be sure to check out these resources for more outdoor fun in and around KC too:
Complete Guide to Float Trips Near KC
Bike Trails in Kansas City to Explore
There are many hiking and biking trails around town, so pack up the car and head out! Some are paved and others are dirt paths, so be sure to research the difficulty before heading out.
Lake Jacomo Trails
Throughout Fleming Park, there are 5 different trails. All are 1 to 1.5 miles in length.
- Clermont Nature Trail – 1 Mile Loop starts at Missouri Town 1855 (admission required)
- Pa-Huska Nature Trail – 1.2 Mile Loop from Sailboat Cove
- Prickly Pear Cactus Glade Nature Trail – 1 Mile Loop off Colbern & Beach Road
- Rock Ledges Nature Trail – 1.5 Mile Loop from Jacomo Shelter 14
- Tcha-To-Ga Nature Trail – 1.2 Mile Loop across from Hooved Animal Enclosure
Coffee Creek Streamway Park Trails
Olathe, KS
As part of Johnson County Parks and Recreation, Coffee Creek Streamway Park currently has a paved, shared-use trail that is approximately miles long.
You can access Heritage Park, at shelter houses 9 and 10, shown on the map here.
You can also access it through Arthur and Betty Verhaeghe Park.
Rock Island Trails
Lee’s Summit, MO
Construction on Phase Two of the Rock Island Trail is now complete. The 6.5 miles of trails begin at Brickyard Road in Kansas City and travel to Jefferson Street in Lee’s Summit.
There are two separate official trailheads: 98th Street Trailhead (12600 E 98th Street KCMO 64138) and Hartman Park (700 SW Pryor Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081).
Use the online map to plan your bike ride!
Katy Trail State Park
This would be a day trip – it’s outside Columbia, MO!
Katy Trail is the longest rail trail in the country.
The park, which was built on the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (MKT or Katy), is 240 miles long and runs between Clinton and Machens. There are 26 trailheads plus 4 fully restored historic railroad depots that you can check out along the trail.
There’s a portion of the trail, that lies between Cooper County and St. Charles County, that has been officially designated as a part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Katy Trail is also part of the American Discovery Trail, has been designated a Millennium Legacy Trail, and was added to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame in 2008.
You can wind around and experience some of the most beautiful and scenic areas of Missouri. The vast majority of the trail follows the Missouri River. Use the map online to plan your trip.
Landahl Park Trails
Blue Springs, MO area
Landahl Park Trail is located on 1,397 acres, two miles east of Missouri Highway 7 on Truman Road. 21 miles of mountain bike trails, various skill levels, starts on Argo Rd., includes an 18.5-mile single-track trail that was built and is maintained by the Earth Riders Mountain Bike Club, the remaining 2.5 miles of the trail are double-access roads.
The Equestrian Trail Access and horse trailer parking are located on the south side of Argo Road between Slaughter Road and Owens School Road. You can find more scoop & a trail map online.
Longview Park Trails
Kansas City, MO
The Longview Trail starts at Shelter House number 14 in the gorgeous Longview Lake Park. The trail takes winding turns along the lakefront and takes you to Shelter House number 9 which is in O’Donnell Park.
The 6.5 mile trail connects to the Grandview Trail System.
Through a partnership with Bike Walk KC, a Bike Rental Station is located at the Shelter 14 Trailhead. More details and an online map are here.
Blue River Parkway Trails
Kansas City, MO (E 118th Street and Lydia)
Blue River Parkway Trail has approximately 12 miles of trails along both sides of the beautiful Blue River.
The trails begin near Red Bridge Road on the north and extend south of Martin City to 139th Street. Courses are suitable for hiking, mountain biking, and some equestrian use. See the volunteer website below for more information on various trails and difficulty levels.
Benton Blvd Bikeway
Kansas City, MO
Known as the Benton Blvd Bikeway, the Grove south to Swope Parkway on Benton Blvd. is approximately 4 miles. It is the perfect length trail for a family bike ride. It’s also centrally located so you can easily get here from many parts of KC.
Belmont Boulevard Bikeway
Kansas City/Independence, MO
The Belmont Blvd Bikeway runs from Saida Ave. to Independence Ave. on Belmont Blvd. While the trail is less than a mile long, it is paved so if you have small children it’s the perfect spot for a bike ride! They can easily ride along and carrying their bike is not too far if they get tired. …we’ve all been there.
Harry Wiggins Trolley Track Trail
Leawood, KS
This is a particularly fun trail, as it was the site of KC’s very last streetcar line which was the Country Club route. The trail is approximately 6 miles long, from Volker to 85th & Prospect.
An original, historical Country Club Streetcar Station is located at 54th and Brookside. The trail surface consists of compacted, crushed limestone, in most places, but surfaces south of 85th Street and in some other short sections, are asphalt. KCATA owns and maintains the trail. You can use the online map to plan your ride.
Heritage Riverfront Park
Kansas City, MO
Trails run west along West Pennway to Jarboe Street continuing along the east side of Jarboe Park over I-670 then along the east side of Mulkey Square through Ermine Case, Jr. Park, and West Terrace Park.
The Riverfront Heritage Trail is a ten-mile bicycle and pedestrian pathway that starts at the riverfront and has several access points. It winds through the oldest and most historic parts of bi-state Kansas City. It is the first of its kind in Downtown Kansas City. It links communities, parks, and exciting destinations with unique new venues and dramatic public artworks. Historical markers along the Trail will create a journey through the early history of this region. As such, the Trail will enhance bi-state Kansas City’s historic, cultural, and recreational treasures. The Trail helps our community gain access to our spectacular rivers, improve the community’s quality of life and stimulate economic development.
Access points include City Market, West Bottoms, Berkley Riverfront Park, Westside Neighborhood, plus Downtown KCK at both Huron Park and Armstrong Ave.
Indian Creek Trail
Overland Park, KS
State Hours: 5 a.m.-10 p.m.
The Overland Park portion of Indian Creek Trail is approximately 10 miles beginning near Foxhill South Park, following along Indian Creek south & then west to Forest Creek Park.
There’s a link that goes south along Quivira Road toward the Tomahawk Creek Trail, which runs south and west toward 143rd St. and ultimately into Olathe, KS.
The trail is paved, it is about 10 feet wide in most places and provides mile markers every half-mile. For the most part, it is flat and level, with some hills and elevation gains in some short sections.
Dogs on leashes are welcome according to their website. You can find the trail map online too! We suspect this is going to be one of your favorite bike trails!
Gary L. Haller Trail at the Mill Creek Streamway Park
19425 Wilder Drive Shawnee, KS
Mill Creek Streamway Park is a gorgeous linear park with approximately 17 miles of bicycle and hiking trails.
It also has three miles of equestrian trails and open spaces for jogging, picnicking, and hiking.
The trail extends from Nelson Island on the Kansas River, south through the cities of Shawnee and Lenexa, and ends in Olathe.
Blue Springs Lake Trails
1700 NE Bowlin Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO
This is a 3-mile trail. The trail starts at the flagpole on Liggett Rd.
Little Blue Trace Trail
The trail is a 15.5-mile hiking and biking trail. There is a mixture of concrete and rock trails to explore as well. The Blue Lace Trail has multiple entrance access points to choose from.
River Bluff Reserve
This nature trail is a 2.4-mile loop inside 280 acres of nature reserve. The trail starts and ends on Courtney Rd which is a heavily wooded area.
Kill Creek Park
This park has more than 12 miles of biking, hiking, and equestrian trails. This park also includes over 1 mile of paved, shared-use trails as well.
** Be sure to check Inclement Weather / ClosuresRainouts temporary closures to be sure the trail is open.
Armourdale Levee Trail
This biking trail in Kansas City is over 1 mile of crushed stone. It is ideal for walking and riding. You can access the trail at Kansas Avenue Bridge and S. 12th St. and Levee Road.
Turkey Creek Streamway
The Turkey Creek Streamway Trail is a little over 3.5 miles and has a mix of asphalt and concrete trails. These trails are great for biking and are mixed-use.
Gary L. Haller Trail
This trail is fully asphalt and spans over 13 miles. You can access the trail at Mill Creek Streamway Park and Nelson Island on the KS River.
No matter which bike trails you decide to try, each one has its own merits and opportunities for family fun! Be sure to bring water and snacks so you are hydrated and energized for your ride.
From our family to yours, iFamilyKC
