Karen's Path
Karen’s path is a 0.3-mile natural hiking loop, featuring views of Wolf Creek, a native grass meadow, lower woodlands and a stunning Sycamore grove.
Hiking Trails + Prairie
Hiking Trails + Prairie
Nearly six miles of paved and wood chip hiking trails wind their way through the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens.
The easiest of strolls are on the paths and sidewalks throughout the gardens. There are benches along the paths and walkways that meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards for accessibility.
The trails cross Wolf Creek, a major tributary of the Blue River, with two 75-foot bridges.
The Arboretum also offers visitors a chance to view and experience a variety of ecosystems and local plant species in 180 acres of open prairie area.
Address
8909 W. 179th Street
Overland Park, KS 66013
Phone
913-685-3604
Hours
Open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
November 23 - Closed
December 25 - Closed
January 1 - Open 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Admission
Children ages 5 and under are free.
$2 ages 6-17
$5 ages 18+
Trails
Each trail showcases a wide variety of tree species, native woodland plants and unique vegetation.
Cottonwood Trail
The cottonwood trail is a 0.4-mile mulched trail consisting of a gradual slope. This trail is named for the towering cottonwood trees near the east bridge. The cottonwood trail also features a bird watch area.
Sculpture Garden Trail
The sculpture garden trail is an easy half-mile asphalt walk through the Arboretum’s sculpture garden.
West Trail
The west trail is a one-mile natural hiking trail that runs along the north bank of Wolf Creek before traversing the lower woodlands and a native grass meadow.
Bluff Loop Trail
The bluff loop trail is a one-mile natural hiking loop with stunning limestone bluffs and mossy rock landscapes. The upper section of the trail features natural rock crossings while the lower section provides panoramic views of Wolf Creek.
Rocky Ridge Trail
The rocky ridge trail offers a one-mile, end-to-end, trek through the upper woodlands, passing limestone bluffs with rock fissures along a natural gorge. Cross footbridges over meandering streams. Two of the trail’s southernmost points stretch into the prairie, and visitors are welcome to explore the prairie on their own.
Whitetail Pass
The whitetail pass is a 1.5-mile natural hiking trail consisting of many gradual slopes and natural rock crossings over streamways. This intermediate trail offers unparalleled views of Wolf Creek and western limestone bluffs.
Prairie
Visitors can take the bluff loop and rocky ridge trails onto the prairie, where they may explore the beautiful landscaping on or off of the paths.
In addition to the rolling fields of big and little bluestem, switchgrass, prickly pear cactus and various native wildflowers, areas of interest on the Arboretum prairie include the old duck pond, two waterfalls, a cedar grove and a bluff overlook of Wolf Creek.
Arboretum staff and volunteers manage the prairie with a three-year rotation of reseeding, haying and burning to simulate grazing by wildlife and wildfire burning of the prairie.