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Waterfall Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 251 Google reviews · Running trail in Independence, Missouri · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Waterfall Park'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.
Peaceful park, featuring a playground and a pond with ducks.
What runners say about Waterfall Park
“The waterfall is beautiful (just a heads up that it’s off during the winter!”
“We also love that it's shaded which is perfect for hot days.”
“Was pretty quiet for being busy so that’s always nice in my opinion.”
Beautiful park! Lots of shade. Waterfall in my pictures is a street view waterfall so watch for traffic. Huge pond for fishing and a small dock as well. Lots of ducks and geese. Walking/bike trails as well. Lots of greenery. Was pretty quiet for being busy so that’s always nice in my opinion.
I would rather walk here than be at the gym on a treadmill.I love this park. I walk around twice taking about a hour and enjoy the nature sounds, waterfalls, ducks and turtles.
Very relaxing trail to walk around.. play area with slide for kids. Cool lil spot
Nice park with a trail around it for a morning walk. Nice variety of birds for those so inclined. Trail includes a mix of path, sidewalk, and road. There were bathrooms but I did not check them out.
Trail conditions & character
“Park is small, there are small waterfalls on the way to park with a nice lake view, lots of ducks and good size picnic areas”
“Besides the beauty and the cleanliness, I appreciate that I have not run into one dog off its leash yet.”
“We also love that it's shaded which is perfect for hot days.”
“Was pretty quiet for being busy so that’s always nice in my opinion.”
Plan your run at Waterfall Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- 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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteindependencemo.gov
- Phone+1 816-325-7370
Hours
| Monday | 9:08 am–7:09 pm |
| Tuesday | 9:08 am–7:09 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:08 am–7:09 pm |
| Thursday | 9:08 am–7:09 pm |
| Friday | 9:08 am–7:09 pm |
| Saturday | 9:08 am–7:09 pm |
| Sunday | 9:08 am–7:09 pm |
Running trails near Independence
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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Little Blue Trace - Hartman Heritage Trailhead
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Little Blue Trace - Phelps Rd. Trailhead
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Walkable trail alongside the Little Blue River with bridges and views.
North Shore Trail
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Park featuring a lake and trails, including some that are kid-friendly.
