Small town Missouri hiking at its best: Warsaw Riverfront Trails
The Joe Dice Swinging Bridge, built in 1928, is an integral part of Warsaw’s small town trail network. The 600-foot walkway has been exclusively for pedestrians since 1979.
Set on a picturesque arm of Truman Lake, the city of Warsaw, Missouri, offers 6 miles of nature-friendly hiking and biking trails.
Trail Warsaw, Mo., Riverfront Trails
Overview
Warsaw, Mo., sits on the Osage River between Truman Lake and Lake of the Ozarks. While those two recreation destinations get most of the attention, this small town offers more than 6 miles of paved and gravel trails along the river. They provide an excellent vantage point to view waterfowl, birds of prey and other animals that habitat the riverfront area. Trails also border downtown Warsaw and Drake Harbor, which is a park and boating area. A prominent attraction is the 600-foot-long Joe Dice Bridge. Originally built in 1928, it supported vehicle traffic until 1979 and has been exclusively a pedestrian bridge since then. It connects trails on both sides of the water. Downtown Warsaw is one block from the trail and offers restaurants and a few gift shops. It’s also home to some historic structures.
Length There are about six miles of trails on the Warsaw Riverfront.
Address and location The Joe Dice Swinging Bridge trailhead is at 801 Kennedy Drive, Warsaw, MO 65355. However, the trail can be accessed at several other points. Download the trail map for more information.
Distance Warsaw, Mo., is less than two hours from Downtown Kansas City, Mo.
Conditions The Warsaw Riverfront Trails are a combination of paved and gravel. They are well marked and are generally level with few elevation changes. There is very little shade, so your visit will be more enjoyable on a day that’s overcast or with mild temperatures.
Kid friendly? The trail on the Warsaw side of the river (the Drake Harbor Trail) is paved and leads past a large park with a playground. The gravel trails will be difficult for pushing strollers. All trails border the waterfront, so parents will need to be mindful of water safety for small children.
How busy? This is a moderately trafficked trail.
Pets Yes, on a leash.
Other area hikes
Harry S Truman State Park, on Truman Lake, is home to three scenic natural surface hiking trails. It’s about 15 minutes from Warsaw.
