Overland Park Arboretum is home to top-notch trails
Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, Overland Park, Kan.
Delight in 300 acres, thousands of plant species, woods and streams.
Trail Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Overview
Overland Park’s Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is known for its plant life and cultivated beauty. Its hundreds of acres put nature on display and make it accessible. It’s a garden, a lake, a prairie and a forest, all cultivated for your enjoyment. But it also has first-class walking trails. Note: There is an admission fee. Visit the official website for details.
Length There are six miles of total trails ranging throughout the arboretum. This includes a large natural surface trail and off-trail area (“back country”) on the southern, prairie side of the arboretum. The back country section will be of most interest to hikers, giving wide latitude for exploration. Its terrain includes rock ledges, boulders and even an occasional waterfall (this area is best explored between November-April to minimize exposure to ticks and poison ivy).
Address and location 8909 W. 179th Street, Overland Park, Kan., 66013
Conditions The arboretum has a first-rate trail system with a variety of surfaces ranging from asphalt to mulch to dirt track.
Kid friendly? The arboretum and gardens are generally conducive to strollers. There are also nature-oriented play areas. The dirt track trails on the south side are not conducive to strollers. The natural surface trails are of moderate difficulty.
How busy? The arboretum is heavily trafficked during peak days and seasons. The southern nature trails receive significantly less traffic than the garden area.
Pets Yes, on a leash but with some restrictions.
Bikes Prohibited.
