Shoal Creek Trail: A history-packed Northland walk
Shoal Creek Trail is a paved path traversing Hodge Park for about 1 mile, each way (two miles total).
This two-miler is perfect for power walking, pushing a stroller or just experiencing nature.
Trail Shoal Creek Trail
Overview
Hodge Park is huge, with 1,000 acres dedicated to multiple leisure pursuits. There’s also a seven mile mountain bike trail network. However, this page is dedicated to the paved Shoal Creek Trail, which runs north-south through the park. It generally follows the course of the stream, which is rocky and crystalline. It’s a trail for everyone, gently weaving through the wooded landscape with minimal elevation changes.A bonus (including bonus mileage) is the 80-acre Shoal Creek Living History Museum. The “museum” (actually a park) re-creates an 1800s frontier Missouri village with 21 buildings and has a reserve that’s home to buffalo. The museum and the south trail head share the same parking lot at Hodge Park. The Shoal Creek Living History map and guide can be downloaded here (large file).
Length 2 miles (one mile out, one mile back).
Address and location
South trailhead 7000 N.E. Barry Road, Kansas City, Mo., 64157. Begin at the Shoal Creek Living History Museum.
North trailhead 98 N.E. Reinking Road, Kansas City, Mo., 64157. Drive south to the end of the parking lot, then walk over the bridge.
Conditions This is a wide, paved trail perfect for any type of outdoor recreation. The Living History walking path is gravel. Elevation changes are moderate.
Kid friendly? This trail is stroller friendly. There are passing cyclists, so parents should be mindful of bike traffic.
How busy? This trail is moderately trafficked.
Pets Yes, unless stated otherwise.
Bikes Yes.
GOOGLE MAP OF SHOAL CREEK TRAIL
The solid green line, beginning near Hodge Park Rugby field, is the paved Shoal Creek Trail. The dotted lines are the Hodge Park mountain bike trail system.
Directions to the north trail head of Shoal Creek Trail, Kansas City, Mo.