The Ultimate Guide to Kansas City Waterfalls
The ultimate guide to Kansas City waterfalls
There’s no Niagara or Yosemite, but our forests and plains hold plenty of surprises.
Here’s a metro-area guide to Kansas City waterfalls
Kansas City is known as the City of Fountains. But waterfalls? Yes!
We’ve got more than meets the eye. Niagara Falls? Yosemite Falls? We can’t hold a candle to those. But, like much of the Midwest, there’s subtle beauty to be found if you have a willingness to appreciate it.
What follows is a roll call of the larger waterfalls in the surrounding counties that make up the Kansas City areas. Our criteria is that they (usually) run all year round and create more than a ripple. Some are man-made, but most are natural.
“Tip: Because streams and falls ebb and flow, visit immediately after it rains so you get a more dynamic view.”
If we’ve missed any, we’d love to know and will be eager to add them to the list.
P.S. We weren’t aware of any falls in Wyandotte County or Cass County, but if we missed any, please enlighten us.
Kansas City waterfalls by county
Clay County
Tryst Falls
Tryst Falls is in Clay County between Excelsior Springs and Kearney. It’s undoubtedly one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls in the Kansas City area. It is the centerpiece of a small park that includes a picnic area.
Address Route 92, Kearney, Mo., 64060
Other area attractions
Watkins Mill Falls
This seasonal waterfall can be accessed from a viewing platform along a 3.8-mile trail that loops Watkins Mill Lake. Although these falls run low in the dry season, this rocky hideaway is still a beautiful haven. The trail surrounding the lake is scenic and the historically preserved farm at the park is also worth visiting.
Lawson, Mo., near Excelsior Springs
26600 Park Road North, Lawson, Mo., 64062
Douglas County
Lawrence
Wilkey Waterfall
Wilkey Waterfall, on the Wakarusa River (say that five times fast) is located below (east) of the Clinton Lake spillway in Outlet Park. The falls can be accessed from roads on either side of the river. This is peaceful location often used for fishing. This waterfall may not run year round, depending on rainfall. On the south side of the falls, there is a picnic area and restroom.
Heads up: Access is challenging because of erosion. You’ll need to scoot, slip or slide downward about 20 feet to get to the river (then go back up). The easier approach is nearest the falls. When conditions are muddy, extra care is needed.
Address Clinton Lake Outlet Park, 1316 E. 902 Road, Lawrence, KS 66047
Other area attractions
Jackson County
Kansas City
Longview Nature Trail, Lumpkins Fork Creek
The Longview Nature Trail is little known except for Scout troops that camp in the area. It is not the main, paved trail the follows Longview Lake. Rather, it’s a 1.2-mile, natural surface loop that begins and ends at Longview’s Primitive Youth Campground. This area is south of Longview Lake and can be accessed via Highgrove Road. The amount of water in the falls varies widely according to the season. For most of the year, it’s a trickling stream passing through a wide limestone slab. But with significant rain, it can become impassable due to the sheer force of rushing water.
Address 9105 Highgrove Rd, Kansas City, MO 64149
Other area attractions
Kansas City
Indian Creek Falls (State Line Road)
Indian Creek Falls are located near State Line Road in South Kansas City. It’s a busy, urban area but the falls can still provide serenity. A landmark is Jasper’s Restaurant, which sits in front of the falls. They can be accessed via the Indian Creek Greenway Trail.
Address 1245 W 103rd St, Kansas City, Mo., 6411
Other area attractions
Kansas City
Cliff Drive Waterfall (Carl DiCapo Fountain)
This is technically a fountain, but it’s unique nonetheless. And so is Cliff Drive in Kansas City, Mo. It’s closed to vehicles, leaving a two-lane, four-mile road open to only foot and bicycle traffic. Access the waterfall from the east entrance at 4398 Cliff Drive, Kansas City, Mo., 64123. The falls are also known as Carl DiCapo Fountain (they can be shut off during winter months).
Other area attractions
Lee’s Summit
Bridger Conservation Area
The 320-acre Bridger Conservation Area is home to a pristine stream and waterfall. The falls are nestled in thick woods and rolling hills and can be most easily accessed from the reserve’s west trailhead. It’s possible to miss your turn and miss the falls, so use our map or a trails app to find and follow the natural surface trail. This waterfall’s volume varies seasonally. View our guide to Bridger Conservation Area.
Address The trailhead is 500 feet south of Kemper Outdoor Education Center, which is located at 8201 S. Jasper Bell Road, Blue Springs, MO 64015.
Other area attractions
Lee’s Summit
Hartman Park Falls
Charles David Hartman Memorial Park, in Lee’s Summit, Mo., features Cedar Creek as its centerpiece. The stream cuts through the center of the park amid boulders, limestone cliffs and several small waterfalls. It’s also the southernmost trail head (with parking) of the Rock Island Rail Trail.
Address 700 S.W. Pryor Road , Lee’s Summit, Mo., 64081
Other area attractions
Lee’s Summit
Legacy Park waterfall
This unnamed waterfall is on the north side of the Legacy Park 1014 Loop Trail. You have to listen for the falls or you may walk past them because of their unique geologic formation.
Address Park at the disc golf course to access the 1014 Loop trail head 1801 NE Coneflower Drive, Lee's Summit, Mo., 64086
Other area attractions
Independence
Waterfall Park
Waterfall Park is centered around a lake near Bass Pro in suburban Independence, Mo. A trail encircles the lake and leads past the falls, which are on the south end. The waterfall is man made, but the setting is peaceful, overlooking a lake.
Address 4501 S. Bass Pro Drive, Independence, Mo., 64055
Other area attractions
Little Blue Trace, Independence, Mo.
Unity Village
Carl Chinnery Nature Trail waterfall
Little Cedar Creek splashes through this nature area that is part of the community of Unity Village. The trail passes above the falls on the west side. You have to listen for it because foliage can obscure it during summer. The falls are on the Carl Chinnery Nature Trail.
Address 1901 N.W. Blue Pkwy, Unity Village, Mo., 64065. The trail head is immediately east of the Unity office complex and is marked with a large sign. Park in the parking lot adjacent to the trail head.
Kingsville/Johnson County, Mo.
Powell Gardens waterfalls
Technically, Powell Gardens is in Johnson County, Mo., east of Lee’s Summit. But we’re counting it here under Jackson County for convenience. It’s home to numerous waterfalls, most of which are engineered in some way. But that doesn’t make them (or the gardens) any less beautiful. Admission is required to enter Powell Gardens.
Address 1609 US-50, Kingsville, Mo., 64061
Johnson County (Kansas)
Overland Park
Indian Creek Falls at Corporate Woods
Corporate Woods seems like an unlikely home to a waterfall, but Indian Creek thought otherwise. This waterfall is in the midst of suburban bustle along the Indian Creek Trail.
Address Park at the trail head/picnic shelter on Indian Creek Parkway in Corporate Woods. Indian Creek Trail follows the stream and will lead to the falls. (Indian Creek Pkwy., Overland Park, Kan., 66210)
Other area attractions
Merriam
Turkey Creek Falls at Waterfall Park
Turkey Creek flows through Merriam, Kansas, and drops beautifully at Waterfall Park. Ironically, this beautiful site is only 100 yards from I-35, so the sound of the falls competes with traffic. In addition to the falls, there is a small playground. If you follow the creek upstream on the Turkey Creek Streamway trail, there is a series of cascades and smaller falls.
Address 5191 Merriam Drive, Merriam, Kan., 66203
Olathe
Cedar Lake Falls
Olathe’s Cedar Lake Falls are a little off the beaten path, but worth every step. It’s below the spillway of the lake.
Address There is no numbered address to the falls. Take 159th Street to the Access Road, then follow it to its western terminus. There is a parking area next to the lake. An unmarked but visible trail will lead you to the falls. It may be overgrown in warm months, so insect repellent is a good idea.
Olathe
Lake Olathe Falls on Cedar Creek
This spectacular waterfall is near the intersection of W. 143rd Street and S. Wardcliff Drive in Olathe. The stream that overflows the falls is the source of Lake Olathe. The falls can be observed from the bridge that overlooks them, from a canoe or kayak, or by climbing down some rocks toward its base. The area around the falls is private property, so please respect it.
Address W. 143rd Street and S. Wardcliff Drive, Olathe, Kan., 66061. There are only a couple of parking spots next to the falls, so you may need to park on Wardcliff Drive in the park, then walk to the follows. Be cautious of traffic as 143rd Street is busy at peak times.
Other area attractions
Olathe
Prairie Center Natural Area
Although these falls were engineered to create a ford for a stream, their location in the Prairie Center Natural Area makes it a pristine place to visit.
Address Prairie Center Natural Area, 26325 W 135th St, Olathe, Kan., 66061. The stream crossing is along the nature trail in the center of the park.
Other area attractions
Shawnee
Shawnee Mission Park waterfall
Shawnee Mission Park is home to several wet weather waterfalls, but the one near Shelter 11 is the closest to being a year-round stream.
Address Shawnee Mission Park, Shelter 11, Barkley Circle, Lenexa, Kan., 66219.
Other area attractions
Leavenworth County
Lansing
Angel Falls
Angel Falls are located Lansing, Kansas. The trailhead is located on the east side of the parking lot of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. It is marked and easy to see. There is an easy, paved half-mile trail to reach the falls. The trail terminates on Mary Street, where you can turn around and walk back. The falls can be observed from a bridge that overlooks them. You can also step down into the natural area surrounding the waterfall.
Address Park at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 900 Ida St, Lansing, KS 66043.
Platte County
Platte City
Prairie Creek waterfall
Prairie Creek Falls are located on the Prairie Creek Greenway in Platte City, Mo. Begin at the main trail head and walk north until you reach the falls.
Address The main trail head, which includes parking, is at: Route N, Platte City, Mo., 64079.
Kansas City
Line Creek Falls
Double Waterfall on Line Creek, Kansas City, Mo.
Triple Waterfall on Line Creek, Line Creek Streamway Trail, Kansas City, Mo.
Line Creek Falls are located along the Line Creek Trail in Platte County, Mo. The Double Waterfall is the most well-known. However, there is also Triple Waterfall and several smaller unnamed falls up and down the course of this picturesque creek. Listen for the sound of falling water and discovery awaits.
Address for Double Waterfall and Triple Waterfall
Double Falls Park at the Line Creek Community Center, 5940 N.W. Waukomis Drive, Kansas City, Mo., 64151, and head south on the trail for about a half mile until you reach the falls.
Triple Falls Park at the Line Creek Community Center, 5940 N.W. Waukomis Drive, Kansas City, Mo., 64151, and head north on the trail for about a 1.5 miles until you reach the falls. (You can also go to a more northerly trailhead and go south to reach Triple Waterfall.)
Other area attractions
Line Creek Trail • Riverside, Mo., and Kansas City, Mo.
Parkville
Parkville Nature Sanctuary waterfall
A waterfall is the capstone of Parkville Nature Sanctuary, which is a jewel in Platte County, Mo. The falls cascade about 30 feet in several small falls. A bench is available at the bottom to soak it all in.
Address 100-198 E 12 St, Parkville, Mo., 64152
Other area attractions
Briarcliff is a man-made waterfall, but it’s located in a beautiful park setting along N.W. Platte Road in Riverside. It is situated on the Interurban/Linear Trail.
Address 1920 N.W. Platte Rd, Riverside, Mo., 64150