Room to Roam

Room to Roam: Explore the Outdoors in KC

By RANDY MASON

After countless Zoom calls, takeout deliveries and tons of TV bingeing, the lure of the great outdoors is greater than ever!

“There’s almost nothing you can’t do around here,” says Cori Culp. Her company, Locale, provides insider intel and tours of KC to candidates and new hires at companies in the region. Many, she notes, are “blown away” by the expanse of easily accessible outdoor activities.

Take parks — Kansas City, Missouri, alone has 213 of them. Everything from pocket parks to Swope Park, one of the largest urban greenspaces in the country.

In addition, communities on both sides of the state line also offer dozens of picnic-perfect spots and pleasant places to stroll or toss a frisbee.

Looking for a more rigorous route to hike or bike? The Riverfront Heritage Trail, Mill Creek Streamway Trail and Indian Creek Parkway Trail are just a few options of the many that traverse every corner of the metro and beyond.

The most recent addition is Rock Island Trail. Starting near Arrowhead Stadium, it links to the Katy Trail, which runs across Missouri all the way to St. Louis.

Did someone say water? Smithville Lake offers kayak and paddle boat rentals. As does the lake at Shawnee Mission Park, Lake Olathe Park, Blue Springs Lake and more. Cast a line at Lake Jacomo or hit the beach at Longview Lake.

If you need some “elbow room” to unwind, stunning state parks and campgrounds can be found nearby. Like Weston Bend, perched on the bluffs of the Missouri River, or Watkins Mill State Park — complete with a historic mill next door. Just to the west, Kansas’ Flint Hills harbor the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.

PHOTO BY MARK GOVEA

People who expect the KC region to be “nothing but flat,” Cori says, get a big surprise. The limestone bluffs along Kessler Park’s Cliff Drive provide a real rock-climbing challenge inside the city.

Limestone also helped forge what she calls “world-class” mountain bike trails. A personal favorite traces a route along the Blue River in Swope Park — but others like the loop at Hidden Valley Park in the Northland bring challenges of their own.

Because we see four distinct seasons, most of these locations yield dramatically different experiences at different times of the year.

Naturally, a few do have limited windows. The outdoor ice rinks at Crown Center and Park Place are skateable only during winter. The Snow Creek Ski Area is another seasonal site. Its slopes may be modest, but are just the right size to hone your winter sports skills!