HomeMissouriLee's Summit › North Shore Trail

North Shore Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 62 Google reviews · Running trail in Lee's Summit, Missouri · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from North Shore Trail'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.

Natural surfaceScenicTrailhead parkingMile markersQuiet

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

What runners say about North Shore Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (62 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“I like this trail, it’s a nice, fairly scenic path that skirts the edge of Blue Springs Lake.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“Mostly gravel, but a nice quiet place to bring your kiddos to feel like you're getting away from all the chaos!”

Took my 4 year old down to the lake. This is a nice, peaceful little rocky spot to hang out by the water. Saw a couple people fishing from the rocks near by. We didn't hit the trail but the hike down the hill and back up a couple times is enough! Port-a-potty at the parking lot.

★★★★★ — Gabby , Jul 2021

Well... over the road and down the ditch to north shore trail we go. I like this trail, it’s a nice, fairly scenic path that skirts the edge of Blue Springs Lake. It is quite narrow and seems like you would encounter lots of fishermen with not much room to squeeze by or duck fishing lures.

★★★★☆ — Running , Jun 2018

Nice shaded trail. For someone who hasn't been on a bike in years I would say it was easy to moderate in difficulty. Some nice flat stretches but has it's fair share of rocks and some uphill areas. Very muddy in some areas, with thick leaves that made it hard to ride through (probably from the recent rain).

★★★★☆ — Megan , May 2023

Great rocky and secluded trail. If you go in the morning, be prepared for a lot of spider webs. Spiders don't usually bother me. But... you can only walk into so many webs before you start laughing at the entire process.

★★★★★ — Amber , Jul 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 62 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 9 mentions

“I like this trail, it’s a nice, fairly scenic path that skirts the edge of Blue Springs Lake.”

More trails like this →

🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 4 mentions

“Very muddy in some areas, with thick leaves that made it hard to ride through (probably from the recent rain).”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“More parking if you start the trail right by blue springs lake.”

More trails like this →

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“Mostly gravel, but a nice quiet place to bring your kiddos to feel like you're getting away from all the chaos!”

More trails like this →

📏 Mile markers 2 mentions

“There are also clear markers periodically that connect to a more difficult trail.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at North Shore Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • 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 — reported by runners

Hours

Monday 6 am–9 pm
Tuesday 6 am–9 pm
Wednesday 7 am–10 pm
Thursday 6 am–9 pm
Friday 6 am–9 pm
Saturday 7 am–10 pm
Sunday 6 am–9 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 North Shore Trail

Lee's Summit, Missouri

Get directions

Running trails near Lee's Summit

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

Blue Springs Lake Loop Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 8 reviews

Lee's Summit, MO

Loop

under a mile away

Woods Chapel Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 126 reviews

Blue Springs, MO

LoopPaved

Kid-friendly, recently redone park with swings, slides and basketball courts.

1.3 miles away

Lake Vista Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 122 reviews

Blue Springs, MO

MixedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Gravel- and concrete-paved trail through the woods suitable for hiking, running, and biking.

1.7 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.

1.9 miles away

Burrus Old Mill Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,196 reviews

Blue Springs, MO

14-acre hangout with a skate park, walking trail, playground & sports facilities.

1.9 miles away

Jackson County Parks + Rec

4.6 ★★★★★ 2,588 reviews

Blue Springs, MO

Scenic

Fishing & boating on 2 lakes, campgrounds, native animal enclosure, soccer & model airplane fields.

2.0 miles away

All running trails in Lee's Summit, 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.