Blue River Trail System
Discover nature alongside one of Kansas City’s most prominent rivers.
Trail Blue River Parkway Trail System
Overview
The Blue River Trail system is a sprawling north-south network that provides a variety of natural and urban environments along its route. It’s actually two different trails.Blue River Greenway Trail The most accessible portion of the trail is paved and runs 5.5 miles from Minor Park to 95th Street, all of it within Kansas City, Mo. It’s available to bikers and walkers and intersects with the paved Indian Creek Trail at its northern end. Scenery along the trail includes open areas, lowland forest, fishing lakes and the Blue River itself.
Blue River Bike Trail Running approximately parallel to the paved trail is an intricate system of single-path dirt track trails that ARE 26 miles in length. It’s maintained by the Urban Trail Company and is more rustic and rugged than its paved counterpart, but is open to walkers, too.
Did you know?
The original Red Bridge, at Minor Park, is also called the Locks of Love Bridge and is adorned with thousands of padlocks. It is accessible at the Minor Park trail head.
Length The northern, paved section of the trail is 5.15 miles long. The single-track bike trails total 26 miles.
Address and location
Access the paved trail at:
Blue River Parkway Trail, E. 104th St. Trail Head
Blue River Park and Athletic Fields
Alex George Wetland Park, 10633, 10831 Blue River Rd, Kansas City, Mo., 64131
Minor Park, 11103 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, Mo., 64131
The southernmost access for dirt track bike trail is on E. 139th St., between Holmes and Prospect, in South Kansas City near Martin City. There are a number of additional access points to the north. See the map below for full details.
Conditions The paved trail is well maintained with minor elevation changes. The dirt track trail is well marked but is challenging in terms of elevation changes and footing.
Kid friendly? The paved trail presents excellent opportunities for strollers and children on bikes. Parents will need to be mindful of passing bikers. The dirt track trail is narrow, so parents will need to be mindful of passing bike traffic.
How busy? The paved trail is popular and busy. The dirt track trail is popular with mountain bikers (though walkers are welcome).
Pets Yes, on a leash (unless otherwise designated).
Bikes Non-motorized bicycles are permitted.
