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Watkins Mill Lake Loop Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 7 Google reviews · Running trail in Kearney, Missouri · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Watkins Mill Lake Loop 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.
What runners say about Watkins Mill Lake Loop Trail
This is an almost exclusively paved trail in good condition that seems to be very popular for walkers, bikers, and joggers. I was there mid-morning on a Sunday and encountered a number of people, but it didn't feel crowded. There are plenty of toilets for those of us with unpredictable bladders, which is nice.
It was great hike around the lake. Four miles with little bit of stop and rest on the benches with lake view. Depending on how fast or slow one wants to go. It is a moderate hike with uphill and then downhill. It is a paved trail.
This scenic walk is one of the most beautiful walks I’ve been on. Passing by the lake, I encountered many kinds of wildlife, like all kinds of flowers, caterpillars, birds and insects. It is a very nice natural walk, especially in the morning when no one is around yet. Really cool, would recommend.
Great little hiking spot with biking and jogging as well as other activities. It's about 4 miles of trails with various campgrounds and just little spots to enjoy. For nature lovers who don't want to drive out too far it's great.
Trail conditions & character
“This is an almost exclusively paved trail in good condition that seems to be very popular for walkers, bikers, and joggers.”
Plan your run at Watkins Mill Lake Loop Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- 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.
- Websitemostateparks.com
Hours
| Monday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–9 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am–9 pm |
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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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