Hiking Wudchuck Run Trail in Kansas City’s Swope Park
Hiking Wudchuck Run Trail in Kansas City’s Swope Park Missouri
I’m still in Kansas City, but this time I’m hiking Wudchuck Run Trail in Kansas City’s Swope Park. Wudchuck Run Trail is a 5 mile loop trail past limestone bluffs and through the gently rolling Missouri woods. The trail also serves as a single track mountain biking trail, but is equally enjoyed as a hike in Kansas City’s largest park.
Wudchuck Run & Perimeter Loop Trail
Type: Loop | Rate: Moderate | Traffic: Light/Moderate | Distance: 5mi | Elevation Gain: 406ft
A lovely loop trail through “the crown jewel of Kansas City’s park system,” Swope Park.
View the full route on AllTrails.
Swope Park
Swope Park is a 1,805 acre park about 20 minutes southeast of downtown Kansas City. It bills itself as “the crown jewel of KC’s Parks system.” It is the city’s largest park, and is home to many attractions including the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium, Starlight Theatre outdoor amphitheater, KC Community Gardens, nature center, a golf course, zipline, multiple picnic shelters, and various annual festivals.
Swope Park is named for Thomas Hunton Swope who at one time was the largest landowner in Kansas City. In 1896 Swope donated 1,334 acres to the city to be used as a public park. Additional land was added to the park over the years culminating in the 1,805 acres enjoyed today.
Wudchuck Run Trail
I’m hiking Wudchuck Run Trail with sections of the Perimeter Trail which is a 5 mile hiking and single track mountain biking trail that encircles the park. Starting in the southern central portion of the trail hiking counterclockwise, the first mile of the hike was my favorite section as it passes alongside beautiful limestone bluffs. The northern half of the trail features gently rolling hills through the Missouri outdoors.
There are lots of offshoots and other small trails to explore in the park, and it’s easy to get off the specified route, which happened to me several times throughout my hike. Ultimately I found it easiest to keep forking right at every turn which kept me on the outer trail.
Swope Trails
The hiking trails in Swope Park were designed, constructed, and managed by Heartland Outside in partnership with Kansas City Parks and Recreation, Jackson County Parks and Recreation, and Urban Trail Co. Swope Trails is 100 percent designed and maintained by volunteers. Thank you for creating such a beautiful trail system.
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Hiking Gear List
Long Sleeve Shirt - REI Co-op Midweight Base Layer
T-Shirt - REI Co-op Sahara T-Shirt
Pants - KUHL Renegade Rock Pants
Underwear - REI Co-op Everyday Boxer Briefs
Shoes - The North Face VECTIV Fastpack FUTURELIGHT Hiking Shoes
Beanie - REI Co-op Logo Beanie
Pack - REI Co-op Flash 22 Pack
Water Bottle - REI Co-op Nalgene 1L
Headlamp - Petzl Tikka Headlamp
Camera Gear List
Camera - iPhone 14 Pro
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