Kansas City has a wide variety of hiking trails, from peaceful walks to more strenuous hikes. The best part of Kansas City trails is that you get to bring your dog with you to almost all of them! Does your dog prefer to traverse through the woodlands at Swope Park or stroll paved footpaths on the Riverfront Heritage Trail? Below are some of our top suggestions to help you and your dog enjoy Kansas City’s Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails.
Liberty Memorial Park Loop
The Liberty Memorial Loop is a scenic, paved 1.7-mile trail that loops around Penn Valley Park, situated in Downtown Kansas City. Penn Valley Park is home to the National World War 1 Museum and Memorial. This park features several other memorials, including the Dedication Wall, the Pioneer Mother Memorial, the Firefighters Fountain and Memorial, and the Scout Memorial.
In addition to these memorials, Penn Valley Park offers a range of recreational amenities, including a baseball field, playground, skate park, and an off-leash dog park. The Penn Valley Off-Leash Dog Park has two separate fenced areas, with a 1.8-acre area for small dogs and a 2.7-acre area for large dogs.
Hidden Valley Natural Loop
Hidden Valley Park is a 195-acre park in northeast Kansas City. It contains a playground, disc course and rain gardens. The Hidden Valley Natural Loop is a moderately difficult 3.2-mile trail that winds through shaded and wooded areas. It’s a peaceful nature hike, but the trail is unpaved, so you’ll need to watch out for tree roots across the pathways.
Berkley Riverfront
Located just north of downtown Kansas City along the banks of the Missouri River. This area features wide walking trails that provide scenic views of the river and open fields. It is a local favorite for watching the sunset while enjoying the Missouri Riverfront Heritage Trail. This trail is an easy 3-mile route that takes about an hour to complete.
If you’re looking for a place to socialize and dine out with your dog, Bar K is located across from the Berkley Riverfront. This privately owned dog bar features two fenced-in dog parks, separated for large dogs and small dogs to play. They also offer a special doggy menu that includes items like “Beer Paws Craft Beer for Dogs” and “Turkey and Sweet Potato Meatballs.”
Line Creek Trailhead
The Line Creek Trailhead is located in Frank Vaydik Park, within the Line Creek-Northern Heights area. The Line Creek Trail is an 8-mile trail that takes you through shaded woodlands featuring a scenic mini waterfall. This trail is ideal for those who want to explore nature, with wildlife commonly spotted along the route.
Swope Park Trails
Swope Park, located 8 miles southeast of Downtown Kansas City, is the largest park in the city, covering 1,805 acres. It features several attractions, including the Kansas City Zoo, the Lakeside Nature Center, the Starlight Theatre, community gardens, various playgrounds, and nature trails.
It features an off-leash dog park, separated into two sections: a one-acre area for small dogs and a four-acre area for larger dogs. Swope Park also contains eight hiking trails. Seven of these trails begin at Woodchuck Run, winding through wooded areas, creek crossings, and rocky terrain. Fox Hollow, a separate trail within Swope Park, also traverses shaded wooded areas and features a creek crossing spanning 1.5 miles. Please note that the hiking trails in Swope Park are rocky and shared with mountain bikers. These trails provide a more active hiking experience compared to the paved trails at Berkley Riverfront.
Loose Park Loop
Located 5 miles south of Kansas City, Jacob L. Loose Park offers multiple amenities, including a Rose Garden, a Japanese Garden, Loose Lake, and a playground. For historians, it is also notable for its Civil War Monument, as it was the site of the Battle of Westport.
Loose Park features an easy 1.4-mile paved trail loop that winds through a picturesque bridge crossing over Loose Lake and a Rose Garden Fountain. The Loose Park trail is ideal for those seeking a leisurely stroll.
We’re here to help
Whether you’re hiking along shaded wooded trails or well-paved footpaths, Kansas City’s dog-friendly hiking trails provide fun options for a day out with your dog. If you need help with your dog barking on leash, fearful behavior, or obedience and manners concerns, you can schedule a consultation with our Pet Behavior Team. All of our training programs are personalized to meet your specific training goals, with one-on-one sessions taking place in your home, local neighborhood, or on your local trails.
If you are located outside the Kansas City area or prefer virtual training, you can work with our Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Echterling-Savage. Dr. Echterling-Savage offers virtual consultation programs, where she helps you achieve your training goals by meeting with you and designing a personalized plan with step-by-step guidance and support.
