The best walks and hikes around Overland Park

Yes, many of the paved greenway trails in Overland Park are suitable for walking with a dog on a leash. The extensive Indian Creek and Tomahawk Creek trail systems are popular choices. Always check local park signage for specific regulations before you start your walk.

For a short and engaging walk that's great for families, consider the Antioch Park loop. It's just over a mile long and explores a highly-regarded local park with fun features and a lake. Most of the trails within the city's park system are paved and relatively flat, making them very accessible.

The Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is your best destination for natural-surface trails. It features nearly ten miles of paths, including rugged dirt trails and wood-chipped loops. The Rocky Ridge Trail loop is a great example, offering an immersive experience through woodlands and past unique rock formations.

While many trails are out-and-back along the creeks, you can create long loops by combining different trail systems. For a dedicated long route, the Turkey Creek Trail offers a 7-mile (11.2 km) hike through local parkland. Many hikers also create their own loops within the extensive network at the Overland Park Arboretum.

The Arboretum offers a mix of trail types. You'll find paved paths in the main garden areas, but the further you explore, the more natural the trails become. Expect everything from smooth, wood-chipped paths to rugged, rocky trails like the Rocky Ridge Trail, which navigates limestone bluffs and woodlands.

There are over 15 designated hiking routes to explore around Overland Park on Komoot, ranging from easy paved walks to more moderate natural trails. This is part of a larger network of over 75 miles of trails throughout the city, connecting numerous parks and green spaces.

The trails are well-regarded by the Komoot community, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. Hikers often praise the well-maintained paved paths along the creeks and the beautiful, diverse scenery within the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens.

The landscape around Overland Park is primarily defined by gentle creeks and prairie, so large, dramatic waterfalls are not a common feature on the trails. However, you will find beautiful scenery along the region's many waterways, like Indian Creek and Tomahawk Creek, especially after rainfall.

The woodlands and prairies along the creek corridors are home to a variety of wildlife. Keep an eye out for deer, squirrels, rabbits, and a wide array of bird species. The Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is a particularly good spot for wildlife viewing, especially along the trails that follow Wolf Creek.

The vast majority of trails in Overland Park are rated as easy, with some considered moderate due to their length. There are no technically difficult or steep mountain hikes. The moderate routes, like the Amesbury Lake Park via Tomahawk Creek Trail, are typically longer paved paths that require more endurance than technical skill.

For most paved trails, comfortable walking shoes or sneakers are sufficient. If you plan to hike the natural-surface trails at the Arboretum, especially the Rocky Ridge Trail, hiking shoes with good grip are recommended. Always dress in layers, as Kansas weather can change, and consider sun protection, as some prairie trails are exposed.

Many hikes begin from one of the city's numerous parks. Some of the most popular starting points include:

Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens: A major local attraction and the hub for the area's best natural-surface trails.

Antioch Park: A favorite for its scenic lake and easy, family-friendly loop trail.

Corporate Woods Founders' Park: Provides excellent access to the Indian Creek Trail system.