Cliff Drive and Kessler Park, Kansas City, Mo. — Cliff Drive is closed to vehicles and open to walkers and bikers in Kansas City, Mo. Pictured here is Carl Dicapo Fountain.

This urban walk hugs forested bluffs in a historic part of Kansas City.

Kansas Citians have been enjoying the river bluff environment that is now Kessler Park for more than a century. Forested, rocky bluffs rise about 250 feet above the Missouri River below. There are ups and downs to the park, both metaphorically and literally.

On the upside, Cliff Drive is the centerpiece of the park and runs about 4 miles along the base of towering cliffs. The drive is usually closed to vehicles, which means you, your stroller and your bike have an entire two-lane roadway to yourself. No need to look over your shoulders for an oncoming truck! There’s nothing else like this in Greater Kansas City. The walk (or bike) is serene, with wooded cliffsides shooting upward on the south and bluffs fading off to the Missouri River on the north. A highlight is the Kessler Park (or Cliff Drive) Waterfall. It’s a man-made fall, but beautiful nonetheless. Officially, it’s known as the Carl Dicapo Fountain. There is also a spur, The Cliff Drive Trail, which takes you 0.4-miles down the steep river bluff on a paved path. Stairs also lead off the drive to Lookout Point, which provides a bird’s eye view of riverfront. Finally, Missouri’s largest tree is found in the park, just below Lookout Point (learn more below).

On the downside, the area is showing some wear and tear after a century of use. The surrounding buildings and structures that were grand a century ago are cracking and falling apart. There’s still grandeur there, but it’s faded. In addition to the excellent walkway on Cliff Drive, there is an extensive mountain bike trail system that cuts through the highlands of the park. The route, created by the Urban Trail Co., is well marked and maintained. But it’s nearly spoiled by illegal dumping that has occurred over years. The woods, sadly, are full of trash. But this is not the case for the parkway along Cliff Drive, which is mowed and well maintained. So unless you’re a hard core biker and you don’t care about the debris, stick to the street.

Length The paved walkway (Cliff Drive) is about four miles each way. If you walk the full length, then return, your total will be 8 miles.
Condition This roadway is a National Scenic Byway, but it’s closed to vehicles (unless otherwise noted). You just walk and follow the road, which is in great shape.
Kid Friendly? Since the road is closed to vehicles, most safety issues are removed. Parents will want to be mindful of passing cyclists.
Address The Cliff Drive byway is about four miles long. Parking can be accessed along the route, including at:
- West entrance, Paseo 1801 Cliff Drive, Kansas City, Mo., 64106
- East entrance, Gladstone Blvd. 4398 Cliff Drive, Kansas City, Mo., 64123
- Middle entrance (walk the access road to Cliff Drive after parking) Walrond Ave. and Gladstone Blvd. intersection
- Lookout Point access 192 N Garfield Dr, Kansas City, Mo., 64124

Pets Yes, on a leash, unless otherwise designated.
Busy? This is a moderately-trafficked trail, but there’s plenty of room across two lanes of roadway.