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Little Blue Trace - Phelps Rd. Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 158 Google reviews · Running trail in Kansas City, Missouri · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Little Blue Trace - Phelps Rd. Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

MixedScenicDog-friendlyRestroomsTrailhead parkingMile markers

Walkable trail alongside the Little Blue River with bridges and views.

What runners say about Little Blue Trace - Phelps Rd. Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (158 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“Not too hilly and well maintained.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“It should be experienced and enjoyed by anyone that enjoys a beautiful trail steeped in the nature of the area!”

🪧 well-marked 2 mentions
👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“Family friendly, mostly flat, rest stops along the path.”

Such a great bike or walking trail. The views are great. The trail is very well maintained. You have so much wildlife around you, you are bound to meet a few. We have done the entire completed trail, and none of it disappoints. So glad we found this trail.

★★★★★ — Natalie , Jan 2021

Spacious, shaded parking and vault toilet available. Paved trail great for strollers!

★★★★☆ — Lisa , Jun 2022

Little Blue is awesome end to end! It should be experienced and enjoyed by anyone that enjoys a beautiful trail steeped in the nature of the area! I will say this......

★★★★★ — Tangy , Jun 2024

These are pictures of the Phelps Rd. Trail head in Lee's Summit. It's at the 14.8 mile marker. Blue Mills Rd. in north Independence is the 0.0 mile marker. The trail is in good condition and they are making improvements. They have poured several sections of concrete. It's a good ride!

★★★★★ — Bau , May 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 158 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 10 mentions

“It should be experienced and enjoyed by anyone that enjoys a beautiful trail steeped in the nature of the area!”

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🛣️ Paved surface 9 mentions

“The trail is partially paved and partially hard packed dirt & gravel.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 8 mentions

“I didn't get much further than out of the parking lot when I went but I've been to different parts of the trail & they are all great.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 5 mentions

“It is also very common to see ATVs illegally cruising back & forth on the trail, as well as dog crap all over in the grass.”

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🪨 Crushed gravel / limestone 2 mentions

“The trail is partially paved and partially hard packed dirt & gravel.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“There's a wide open paved parking lot with 2 portapotties.”

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📏 Mile markers 2 mentions

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Plan your run at Little Blue Trace - Phelps Rd. Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitemakeyourdayhere.com
  • Phone(816) 503-4800

Hours

Monday 6 AM–6 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–6 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–6 PM
Thursday 6 AM–6 PM
Friday 6 AM–6 PM
Saturday 6 AM–6 PM
Sunday 6 AM–6 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Little Blue Trace - Phelps Rd. Trailhead

Kansas City, Missouri

Get directions

Running trails near Kansas City

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Velie Park

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under a mile away

Waterfall Park

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ShadedScenicDog-friendly

Peaceful park, featuring a playground and a pond with ducks.

1.7 miles away

Carriage Hills Park

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25 mi

2.1 miles away

North Shore Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 62 reviews

Lee's Summit, MO

Natural surfaceScenic

Park featuring a lake and trails, including some that are kid-friendly.

2.9 miles away

Blue Springs Lake Loop Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 8 reviews

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Loop

2.9 miles away

Little Blue Trace - Hartman Heritage Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 77 reviews

Independence, MO

MixedScenic

Scenic 17-mile park featuring biking paths and trails for running, hiking and walking.

3.0 miles away

All running trails in Kansas City, MO →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.