Every new year means it’s a great time to fill out your annual bucket list and travel to a few places you’ve never been before. Why not a state park? It’s not that these state parks near Kansas City aren’t beloved by those that frequent them, but they’re often overlooked in favor of places like Parkville Nature Sanctuary, where there are waterfalls and all sorts of extra activities to be done. Step outside the city for a while and consider taking a weekend at one of these amazing state parks near the city you’re sure to love.
- Watkins Woolen Mill State Park — Lawson, Missouri
Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site/Facebook This amazing state park offers less of the “wildlife retreat” you’ll find other places and more of a historical value. There are plenty of places to camp out and enjoy the wildlife, but don’t forget about the preserved woolen mill living here too. Learn more on the official website. Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site, 26600 Park Road North, Lawson, MO 64062, USA
- Hillsdale State Park — Richland, Kansas
Hillsdale State Park - Kansas Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism/Facebook Hillsdale State Park has a beautiful reservoir to enjoy during warmer months. Or, feel free to camp out nearby and play in the sand. The park has more than 12,000 acres of wildlife area to explore, so take your time! Learn more on the official website! Hillsdale State Park, Richland, KS 66071, USA
- Lewis and Clark State Park — Rushville, Missouri
Show Me Missouri/Facebook Lewis and Clark River is a notable location mentioned in their journals, so Missouri has dedicated this area as a state park in their honor. It’s a great place to watch the water birds play and have a picnic with family. Find out more on the Missouri State Parks website. Lewis and Clark State Park, 801 Lakecrest Blvd, Rushville, MO 64484, USA
- Weston Bend State Park — Weston, Missouri
christophermoverton/Flickr Weston Bend is excellent for hiking, especially in the spring. The trees and moss make it look like you’ve entered a storybook forest, instead of just driving away from the city for a little bit. Click here to learn more. Weston Bend State Park, 16600 MO-45, Weston, MO 64098, USA
- Wallace State Park — Cameron, Missouri
vicki watkins/Flickr Wallace is often overlooked, but this state park has a lot to offer. Other than the standard park features, there’s also a walking bridge that makes viewing it so much easier than navigating a dirt path. Learn more on the official website. Wallace State Park, 10621 MO-121, Cameron, MO 64429, USA
- Clinton State Park — Lawrence, Kansas
Patrick Emerson/Flickr Clinton State Park (and lake) are a great spot for summer fun. You can camp, boat, fish, and even rent a cabin if you’d rather something sturdier than a tent. Plus, sunsets here are always stunning. Click here to learn more. Clinton State Park, 798 N 1415 Rd, Lawrence, KS 66049, USA
- Knob Noster State Park — Knob Noster, Missouri
Knob Noster State Park/Facebook Knob Noster is a great place, and their state park isn’t an exception. There are plenty of trails, campgrounds, woodlands, and even a creek. Click here to learn more. Knob Noster State Park, 873 SE 10 Rd, Knob Noster, MO 65336, USA
These state parks are a great addition to your bucket list! Just make sure you’ve seen these 15 places to add as well. Happy travels!
Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site/Facebook
This amazing state park offers less of the “wildlife retreat” you’ll find other places and more of a historical value. There are plenty of places to camp out and enjoy the wildlife, but don’t forget about the preserved woolen mill living here too. Learn more on the official website.
Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site, 26600 Park Road North, Lawson, MO 64062, USA
Hillsdale State Park - Kansas Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism/Facebook
Hillsdale State Park has a beautiful reservoir to enjoy during warmer months. Or, feel free to camp out nearby and play in the sand. The park has more than 12,000 acres of wildlife area to explore, so take your time! Learn more on the official website!
Hillsdale State Park, Richland, KS 66071, USA
Show Me Missouri/Facebook
Lewis and Clark River is a notable location mentioned in their journals, so Missouri has dedicated this area as a state park in their honor. It’s a great place to watch the water birds play and have a picnic with family. Find out more on the Missouri State Parks website.
Lewis and Clark State Park, 801 Lakecrest Blvd, Rushville, MO 64484, USA
christophermoverton/Flickr
Weston Bend is excellent for hiking, especially in the spring. The trees and moss make it look like you’ve entered a storybook forest, instead of just driving away from the city for a little bit. Click here to learn more.
Weston Bend State Park, 16600 MO-45, Weston, MO 64098, USA
vicki watkins/Flickr
Wallace is often overlooked, but this state park has a lot to offer. Other than the standard park features, there’s also a walking bridge that makes viewing it so much easier than navigating a dirt path. Learn more on the official website.
Wallace State Park, 10621 MO-121, Cameron, MO 64429, USA
Patrick Emerson/Flickr
Clinton State Park (and lake) are a great spot for summer fun. You can camp, boat, fish, and even rent a cabin if you’d rather something sturdier than a tent. Plus, sunsets here are always stunning. Click here to learn more.
Clinton State Park, 798 N 1415 Rd, Lawrence, KS 66049, USA
Knob Noster State Park/Facebook
Knob Noster is a great place, and their state park isn’t an exception. There are plenty of trails, campgrounds, woodlands, and even a creek. Click here to learn more.
Knob Noster State Park, 873 SE 10 Rd, Knob Noster, MO 65336, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
State Parks Near Kansas City February 12, 2022 Tori Jane What are some of the best hiking trails in Kansas City? No matter which side you’re on – Kansas or Missouri – Kansas City is a great place for getting outside and enjoying the outdoors. There are a number of great trails in and around the city, with plenty in state parks, local city parks, and more. According to our good friends at AllTrails.com, there are more than 50 awesome trails in and around town, and they all vary in terms of difficulty, length, and sights to see. The most popular trails – which some folks could argue are the “best” trails as voted upon by hikers – include White Tail Trail, in the Parkville Nature Sanctuary, which is an easy 2.6-mile trek through the urban forest and is great for birdwatching and a quick, simple afternoon out. In Minor Park, you’ll find the 5.6-mile, easy hike on the Blue River Parkway/Minor Park Trail. That one is popular among mountain bikers, and for good reason – though you’ll just have to see it to understand it. The Hidden Valley Natural Area Loop is another amazing Kansas City area hike, and it’s 3.2 miles long. Want some more ideas? Check out some amazing state parks near KC that all have amazing hikes within. What are some fun things to do outside in Kansas City? Kansas City doesn’t seem to get enough credit for anything besides barbecue (which is really, really good, though). We think this is a bit unfair; the city is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the weather year-round, and even when it’s chilly out, KC is an amazing place to be. Some fun things to do outdoors around the city include our amazing state, city, and local parks, where you can let the little ones run amok and make friends while you enjoy the lovely weather. As outlined above, there are more than 50 hiking, biking, and walking trails all over the place that are wonderful for keeping active and getting those steps in. Enjoy multiple festivals, traditions, art walks, barbecue conventions, and so much more; Kansas City is vibrant and lively, and we sure do love our outdoors fun!
The OIYS Visitor Center
State Parks Near Kansas City
February 12, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some of the best hiking trails in Kansas City? No matter which side you’re on – Kansas or Missouri – Kansas City is a great place for getting outside and enjoying the outdoors. There are a number of great trails in and around the city, with plenty in state parks, local city parks, and more. According to our good friends at AllTrails.com, there are more than 50 awesome trails in and around town, and they all vary in terms of difficulty, length, and sights to see. The most popular trails – which some folks could argue are the “best” trails as voted upon by hikers – include White Tail Trail, in the Parkville Nature Sanctuary, which is an easy 2.6-mile trek through the urban forest and is great for birdwatching and a quick, simple afternoon out. In Minor Park, you’ll find the 5.6-mile, easy hike on the Blue River Parkway/Minor Park Trail. That one is popular among mountain bikers, and for good reason – though you’ll just have to see it to understand it. The Hidden Valley Natural Area Loop is another amazing Kansas City area hike, and it’s 3.2 miles long. Want some more ideas? Check out some amazing state parks near KC that all have amazing hikes within. What are some fun things to do outside in Kansas City? Kansas City doesn’t seem to get enough credit for anything besides barbecue (which is really, really good, though). We think this is a bit unfair; the city is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the weather year-round, and even when it’s chilly out, KC is an amazing place to be. Some fun things to do outdoors around the city include our amazing state, city, and local parks, where you can let the little ones run amok and make friends while you enjoy the lovely weather. As outlined above, there are more than 50 hiking, biking, and walking trails all over the place that are wonderful for keeping active and getting those steps in. Enjoy multiple festivals, traditions, art walks, barbecue conventions, and so much more; Kansas City is vibrant and lively, and we sure do love our outdoors fun!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
No matter which side you’re on – Kansas or Missouri – Kansas City is a great place for getting outside and enjoying the outdoors. There are a number of great trails in and around the city, with plenty in state parks, local city parks, and more. According to our good friends at AllTrails.com, there are more than 50 awesome trails in and around town, and they all vary in terms of difficulty, length, and sights to see. The most popular trails – which some folks could argue are the “best” trails as voted upon by hikers – include White Tail Trail, in the Parkville Nature Sanctuary, which is an easy 2.6-mile trek through the urban forest and is great for birdwatching and a quick, simple afternoon out. In Minor Park, you’ll find the 5.6-mile, easy hike on the Blue River Parkway/Minor Park Trail. That one is popular among mountain bikers, and for good reason – though you’ll just have to see it to understand it. The Hidden Valley Natural Area Loop is another amazing Kansas City area hike, and it’s 3.2 miles long. Want some more ideas? Check out some amazing state parks near KC that all have amazing hikes within.
What are some fun things to do outside in Kansas City?
Kansas City doesn’t seem to get enough credit for anything besides barbecue (which is really, really good, though). We think this is a bit unfair; the city is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the weather year-round, and even when it’s chilly out, KC is an amazing place to be. Some fun things to do outdoors around the city include our amazing state, city, and local parks, where you can let the little ones run amok and make friends while you enjoy the lovely weather. As outlined above, there are more than 50 hiking, biking, and walking trails all over the place that are wonderful for keeping active and getting those steps in. Enjoy multiple festivals, traditions, art walks, barbecue conventions, and so much more; Kansas City is vibrant and lively, and we sure do love our outdoors fun!
