I don’t know about you, but the holidays have left me feeling overfed, over-indulged, and overstimulated. If I’ve ever needed a little quiet time with nature, it’s now. But it’s also winter — cold, gray, and, let’s face it, not the time of year we typically associate with exploring the great outdoors. Except, with no ice making the trails dangerous and all the snakes and bugs tucked away for the season, there’s hardly a better time. The best winter hikes in Kansas City are well worth a little Jack Frost nipping at your nose. So fill your thermos with hot soup and CamelBak with cold water, and greet the new year on one of these trails.
Courtesy of Olivia Christensen
The Best Winter Hikes In Kansas City
Burr Oak Woods
Location: 1401 NW Park Road, Blue Springs, Missouri 64015
Length: Varies by trail
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. Varies by trail.
Wheelchair accessible: Missouri Tree Trail & J. Ernest Dunn Jr. Discovery Trail
Dog friendly: No
Located just outside Kansas City in Blue Springs, MO, Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area is home to several great hiking trails and a nature center. With over 1071 acres, hikers can explore stunning forests, ponds, and gorgeous rock formations on a variety of easy-to-moderate trails.
Parkville Nature Sanctuary
Location: 100 E 12 St, Parkville, MO 64152
Difficulty: Easy
Length: Varies by trail
Wheelchair accessible: Parkville Bluebird Trail
Dog friendly: No
Parkville Nature Sanctuary is a great hiking spot for families looking for walks that aren’t too challenging but still have beautiful views of nature. The real draw is the waterfall, but hikers will also enjoy Alloe Creek and the 1900 Parkville Jail that sits at the trailhead — not to mention the towering trees.
Little Blue Trace Trail
Location: 13498 E 87th St, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 15.5 miles
Wheelchair accessible: No
Dog friendly: Yes
This point-to-point trail has as many unique views as it does miles, which is to say several. Start in Lee’s Summit and head to Independence, or start in Independence and hike on over to Lee’s Summit. Either way, enjoy Kansas City’s changing seasons on foot.
Rozarks Nature Trail
Location: Park Dr, Kansas City, KS 66103
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.7 miles
Wheelchair accessible: No
Dog friendly: Yes
This out-and-back trail starts at the Rosedale WWI Memorial Arch and offers a great view of the Kansas City skyline. See the city and enjoy this special patch of nature!
Wudchuck Run Loop
Location: 6304 Oakwood Rd #6000, Kansas City, MO 64132
Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 5.8 miles
Wheelchair accessible: No
Dog friendly: Yes
This point-to-point trail will be a good fit for the seasoned hiker. Enjoy unique rock formations, an abandoned cabin, and plenty of tree coverage when the sun beats down.
Kessler Park West Side Nature Trails Loop
Location: Chestnut Trafficway, Kansas City, MO 64123
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 6 miles
Wheelchair accessible: No
Dog friendly: Yes
Explore one of Kansas City’s hidden gems. Walk through the forest, see a waterfall, view the city, and even stumble over to the Kansas City Museum. Why not? It’s right there.
Indian Creek Trail
Location: West 110th StreetOverland Park, KS 66210
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 23.7 miles
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Dog friendly: Yes
Whether you want to spend the day seeing the best views in Overland Park or just hoping to soak up the autumnal colors for an hour before returning to the office, this point-to-point hike and bike trail is a fantastic place for a stroll.
Hidden Valley Park Trail
Location: 4029 Bellaire Ave, Kansas City, MO 64117
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 4 miles
Wheelchair accessible: No
Dog friendly: Yes
A Kansas City favorite, this well-maintained loop trail offers scenic views and plenty of shade on sunny days.
Weston Bend State Park
Location: 16600 MO-45, Weston, MO 64098
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Varies by trail.
Length: Varies by trail
Wheelchair accessible: Weston Bend State Park Paved Bicycle Loop
Dog friendly: Yes
Home to nine hiking trails, hikers exploring Weston Bend State Park will enjoy views of the river, woods, and wildflowers. Peaceful and secluded but still close to Kansas City, you can make a night of it and reserve a spot at the campground.
Cedar Niles Park
Location: S Cedar Niles Blvd Olathe, KS 66061
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, Varies by trail.
Length: Varies by trail.
Wheelchair accessible: Cedar Niles West Trail
Dog friendly: Yes
Cedar Niles Park opened in Olathe, KS in 2022 and has quickly become a favorite of Kansas City hikers. With wide trails under towering trees lined with stone walls, Cedar Niles is perfect for a serene hike through the woods or a photo shoot. So bring your camera, just in case.
