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Clay County: Explore KC’s great northeast

From Watkins Mill State Park to Missouri River bluffs, discover diverse outdoor life in KC’s Northland.

Clay County covers expansive territory from the banks of the Missouri River to Smithville Lake. The lake is a hiking bonanza, with more than 50 miles of trails. In addition, history and nature beckon at Watkins Mill State Park. Urban paths, including the Happy Rock Trail, carve a path of green in the bustle of the suburbs. The 1,000-acre Hodge Park is home to miles of walking and bike trails as well as the historic Shoal Creek Living History Museum. The county also offers more rustic hiking, including Cooley Lake Conservation Area, home of an ancient oxbow lake and towering river bluffs.

Featured Trails

• Big Shoal Creek Greenway Trail • Kansas City, Mo. (Northland)

• Briarcliff Greenway Trail • Kansas City, Mo. (Northland)

• Cooley Lake Conservation Area, eastern Clay County

• Downtown Excelsior Springs Trail System • Excelsior Springs, Mo.

• Happy Rock Trail • Kansas City, Mo. (Northland)

• Hidden Valley Park and Trails • Kansas City, Mo. (Northland)

• Hodge Park Trail System, Kansas City, Mo. (Northland)

• Jackass Bend National Wildlife Refuge

• Lake Remote Park and Natural Area, Smithville, Mo.

• Maple Woods Natural Area • Gladstone, Mo.

• Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary and Rush Creek Conservation Area

• Shoal Creek Trail at Hodge Park, Kansas City, Mo. (Northland)

• Smithville Lake Trail System

• Stocksdale Park and Walnut Woods Conservation Area Trail System (Liberty, Mo.)

• Trice-Dedman Memorial Woods (near Lathrop, Mo., in Clinton County)

• Watkins Mill State Park • In Clay County between Kearney, Lawson and Excelsior Springs

• Westboro-Canterbury Greenway • Liberty, Mo.

*This is not a comprehensive list of Clay County trails. Our policy is to only list trails we’ve visited. The list is growing constantly. Thanks for your patience. Contact us to suggest a favorite of yours that is not listed here.