Blue Springs Lake North Shore Trail
The Blue Springs Lake North Shore Hiking Trail
Follow the lakefront through forest, cliffs and stream crossings.
Trail Blue Springs Lake North Shore Trail
Overview This trail does not appear on most public park maps because it was created and is maintained by a local bike club (thanks!). However, it is expertly maintained, marked and easy to follow. Although it’s bike-oriented, hikers are welcome. This trail should not be confused with the Jackson County Lake Vista Trail, which follows the east and southern end of the lake and is much wider. The North Shore Trail (meaning the one you’re reading about now) is the more scenic of the two. It brings you in constant contact with the lakefront and waterfowl, winds through craggy boulders and cliffs and cuts through deep woods.
Length 4.5 miles each way. If you walk the entire trail out and back, the distance is 9 miles. In addition, there are up to three parallel routes of varying difficulty (easiest, more difficult, most difficult), so your mileage can vary if you decide to explore these alternative routes.
Address and location The north access is the parking lot on Lake Ridge Road, Lee’s Summit. Lake Ridge Road runs across the dam of Blue Springs Lake. It is near the Blue Springs Lake Boat Dock. Alternatively, you can enter from the south side by parking on the shoulder of southbound Woods Chapel Road, north of the bridge over Blue Springs Lake. There is no parking lot, but the shoulder is wide. You can also access the trail from Blue Springs Lake shelters B, C, D, E and F, but these entrances may be overgrown and unmarked.
Conditions This is a narrow, single track, hard-packed dirt trail. Some of it is rocky and there are mild elevation changes depending on which route you take. It is well-marked and easy to navigate.
Kid friendly? Parents will want to be mindful of bikers and of water safety near the lake. The trail is narrow.
How busy? This trail is moderately trafficked.
Pets Yes, on a leash (unless otherwise designated)
Bikes Non-motorized bicycles are permitted.
