Smithville Lake Trail

Just outside of the Kansas City metropolitan area, you'll find the Smithville Lake Multi-Use Trail in Smithville, Missouri. Smithville Lake is a 7,190-acre lake that's less than half an hour from downtown Kansas City, and there are plenty of activities to enjoy around the lake. The trail surrounding the lake is a 10-mile loop. Visitors tend just to hike a portion of the trail and enjoy the various stops along the way.

Bring Sparky along for your hike on the Smithville Lake Trail, but remember to keep them on a leash the entire time. There's a natural surface trail you can follow, with a paved trail running alongside it, which is convenient for the mountain bikers who frequent the trail. Parts of the path also allow horseback riding, so dogs aren't the only four-legged creatures you'll see along the way!

This trail is wheelchair accessible, and it's also easy to push a stroller along the path because of its asphalt surface, making it the pawfect hiking option for the whole family. After it rains, most hikers choose the asphalt path instead of a natural surface trail because it's much less muddy than other areas. During the summer months, there are bathroom facilities with water, but for the rest of the year, only pit toilets are available. Be sure to pack plenty of water for you and your dog to drink during your walk.

Whichever section of the trail you choose to complete, you'll be rewarded with beautiful views of Smithville Lake, as well as the abundance of wildflowers that grow in the area. The trail is open year-round, but you'll get the most out of your visit if you head there between April and October.

Whether you're looking for a strenuous hike or something more manageable for hikers of all levels, the Smithville Lake Trail has something to offer everyone -- and their dog!