Whether you’re looking for a place to play with the kiddos or to decompress with some off-screen time, the Kansas City area offers dozens of parks and recreational spots for you to enjoy.

Ready to plan your trip to the park? Grab your shades and trusty water bottle — here are 25 of Kansas City's best:

You're liable to photobomb many a proposal or grad pic session at the Loose Park Rose Garden. | Photo via Kansas City Parks & Recreation

Nature parks

Longview Lake Park, 11100 View High Dr., KCMO
Check out the Longview Bike Trail at this ~4,800-acre park, winding along the lakefront and ending at Shelter 9 in O’Donnell Park.

Fleming Park, 22807 Woods Chapel Rd., Blue Springs, MO
This park covers 7,800+ acres of recreational parkland and is located ~15 minutes from KC. Check out maps for hiking trails.

Cedar Lake Park, 15500 S. Lone Elm Rd., Olathe, KS
Get your nature on with the 67-acre lake surrounded by a 57-acre community park — originally dedicated in 1920. Just beyond the dam at the park is a beautiful waterfall.

Ernie Miller Park, 909 N. Hwy. 7, Olathe, KS
Find views of diverse habitats, multiple hiking trails, and even a nature center to visit before heading on your journey.

Loose Park, 5200 Wornall Rd., KCMO
This spot is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city without goingfar. We recommend checking out the Rose Garden.

Not pictured: the park's public art celebrating Leawood's sister city, the Gezer Region of Israel. | Photo via KCtoday

Family parks

Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, 87th and Lackman Rd., Lenexa, KS
The tall slide, various playgrounds, and paved path along a pond make this a picture perfect family outing.

Gezer Park, 13251 Mission Rd., Leawood, KS
Come dressed for the sandbox (BYOT — bring your own toys) and enjoy the man-made stream open year-round.

Roe Park, 10400 Roe Ave., Overland Park, KS
This park is perfect for families with kids of all ages with its tennis courts, picnic benches, a nature playground, and a splash pad.

Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Woodland Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, KCMO
In partnership with 15 and the Mahomies, this spot features sensory and physical play modules and an all-weather surface.

Hospital Hill Park, Gillham Road and E. 22nd Street, KCMO
Right in front of Children’s Mercy Park is the Sybil Silkwood Nutter Inclusive Playground — frequently used by therapists treating patients with social and physical exercises.

Get Fido excited about more than just butt-sniffing with this puppy-perfect agility course. | Photo via Lee's Summit Parks & Recreation

Dog parks

Leawoof Dog Park, 106th Street + Lee Boulevard, Leawood, KS
Shade trees, benches, and an obstacle course (with small and large dog sides) make this a paw-fect spot.

Swope Park Off-Leash Dog Park, 5051 E. Gregory Blvd., KCMO
With five acres, big/small dog areas, dog/people water fountains, and plenty of trees, this park is calling your (and your pup's) name.

Waggin’ Trail Off-Leash Dog Park, 432 E. 32nd Ave., North Kansas City, MO
The path on the little dog side is shaped like a bone.

Platte Landing Dog Park, 300 S. Main St., Parkville, MO
Adjacent to English Landing Park along the Missouri River, Platte Landing has five acres of separated dog park.

Happy Tails Park, 1251 SE Ranson Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO
This dog park features agility equipment and kids’ playgrounds — make your trip a family affair.

This shot is so quintessentially summer, you can almost hear the cicadas. | Photo via Johnson County Parks & Recreation

Sports parks

Swope Soccer Village, 6310 Lewis Rd., KCMO
Located in the heart of Swope Park, this soccer facility consists of six synthetic turf fields and three natural grass fields. The park serves as a training facility and hosts many local recreational + club teams.

Legacy Park, 1201-1501 NE Legacy Park Dr., Lee’s Summit, MO
Aside from the multiple athletic programs that happen here, casual athletes can enjoy the baseball, soccer, and football fields. Don't forget to check out the park's 22-acre lake.

Macken Park, 1002 Clark Ferguson Dr., North Kansas City, MO
Check out the tennis, racquetball, pickleball, and handball courts. There is also a one-mile asphalt trail and a separate half-mile trail for skating and biking.

Heritage Park, 16000 Pflumm Rd., Olathe, KS
Find an array of fields for softball, soccer, and football — plus, an 18-hole disc golf course.

Happy Rock Park, 7600 NE Antioch Rd., Gladstone, MOYay! The Northland!
This space features five lighted ball fields, four soccer fields, four lighted tennis courts, and a basketball court.

Fall foliage along Cliff Drive, Kansas City, Missouri. | Photo by Eric L Bowers, via KC Parks + Recreation

Hiking parks

Wyandotte County Lake, Leavenworth Rd + N. 91st St., KCK
With 1,500+ acres of wooded areas and a 400-acre lake, this park boasts stellar views from its single-track hiking and biking trail.

Hidden Valley Park, 4029 Bellaire Ave., KCMO
Leave the world behind as you explore the park's lush namesake valley, or keep your adventuring to the lighted asphalt walking trail on its outer rim.

Parkville Nature Sanctuary, 100 E. 12 St., Parkville, MO
Hikers looking for a peek at local wildlife can flock to the three miles of trails on this 115-acre preserve. We want to keep it cozy for the critters, so no bikes, boards, or pets allowed.

Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area, 1401 NW Park Rd., Blue Springs, MO
See our region's diverse ecosystem on display with trails winding along steep forested hillsides, limestone outcrops, restored prairies and woodlands + the titular Burr Oak Creek.

Kessler Park, Chestnut Trafficway and Cliff Drive, KCMO
Pedestrians are welcome on Kessler Park's Cliff Drive, one of Missouri's few State Scenic Byways currently closed to motor vehicles.

Your park grab bag

Picked your perfect park? Make the most out of your experience with our favorite items for a relaxing day outside:

Is there anything quite like sitting in the shade and enjoying a good book? Check out our guide to books by local authors to help choose your next great read.
The Kindle Paperwhite is a lightweight e-reader option that stands up to bright sunlight.
A good water bottle keeps you hydrated — we’re big fans of the best-selling Owala FreeSip.
Heading to the park with kids? Check out the Owala FreeSip for kids.
Don’t forget the travel-size bug spray and sunscreen.
These sunglasses from Nordstrom Rack are available at discount prices + have a style for everyone.

Ready to visit these local parks but don’t know where to start? We’ve created this handy map so you can find all of these featured parks.