Watkin’s Mill

Beautiful park with lots of historical buildings. There is a fenced in area near the old school house and we were the only ones there on Memorial Day. We played a game of fetch with our dogs in the park. Then we drove around to the lake area and it was so nice. There is a great walking trail and there were lots of people picnicking and fishing. A great place to take your dogs for a walk and have a nice picnic.

I have been coming here since I was a kid. It’s so quiet most times of the year. It’s great for a walk, jog, bike ride, take your pets or just enjoy nature.

Went here on a Thursday afternoon and had a blast. Took my dog who loved it. The trail was in good condition with plenty of sitting areas and trash cans. The trail had multiple access points with plenty of picnic areas. Since it was fall the colors were in the middle of changing and beautiful. I look forward to coming back an bringing my bike, fishing pole, or a group of friends. This park is very versatile and a great find outside the city.

Sitting by a lake at Watkins Mill State Park. About to go on another long hike. Lilly, our dog, is loving her Saturday. Two parks and a cheese quesadilla from Taco Bell. what else could a #dog ask for? :) Really love how many places there are to go here. So much to do!

This is best state park I have ever stayed at. There are no water sites, and this is a bone I still have to pick with the Missouri State Park system. However, they make up for it with recycling centers, laundry rooms, excellent showers, etc. I have never had such helpful park hosts. There are three «teams» of them one is on-​duty at all times. Friendly, nice to talk to, one and all. I got some useful information on some things to see tomorrow in Excelsior Springs nearby. The mill and historic site are a short, pretty drive away and it is beautifully interpreted. There is an brick octagonal school house, a small church with incredible brickwork, and of course the main house and the mill. What a great place to walk, with a heritage seed garden and chickens, turkeys, and sheep. One lady from the Kansas City Master Gardeners offered me a short tour of the garden. She really knew what she was talking about. The visitor’s center is one of the best I have ever seen with friendly staff.

This park and historic site has SO much to offer. I seriously cannot wait until it gets warmer out to enjoy more of the amenities it provides! There’s a 3.5 or 4 mile paved trail that goes all around the lake with wooden bridges here and there, even a couple observation decks. It’s got good inclines and gentle slopes to break up the pace for a walk, run, or bike ride. I went with my two six month old husky pups and they had a blast! We went for a walk and it took us an hour and a half to finish the entire trail. Tons of picnic spots with grills, a beach, fishing, campgrounds, hiking, even a boat launch. Didn’t get to see the actual mill but I will definitely be back for more in the spring!

As one of the closest State Parks to Kansas City this is another one of KC’s «hidden gems». It’s also a park I am quite familiar with due to it’s amenities. It has a relatively easy to ride or walk 3 ½ mile trail that is very scenic as it loops around the small lake. Speaking of the lake if you have a kayak, this is a great place to bring it and spend an hour or so exploring. (It’s also a great place to test out your kayak gear before going on more epic adventures!) The Woolen Mill is well worth taking the time to explore, it’s a piece of Missouri history that was fortunately preserved before development consumed the surrounding land. This state park also offers plenty of well shaded camp sites that have made for many enjoyable summer weekends spent outside the city.
If you want to get away from KC on a short day trip, Watkins Mill should be on your short list of great destinations to explore!

Great paved hiking trail with maintained camping and fishing areas. The 4 mile loops around the lake is great for a weekend stroll with the dog with plenty of areas to stop and watch the water or take in a picnic. Bikes are also allowed, so it makes it a nice place to enjoy the great weather in general.

Great ~3 mi. paved loop for biking/​jogging/​walking. The trail takes you along the lake by fishermen and geese, and through the woods where I’ve seen deer, squirrels, and several other animals. There are nice stops where you can walk down to a creek and see the fish swimming in the water, or even a small waterfall depending on the time of year. If you get off the path and follow a gravel road about halfway around, the loop you can walk to the old schoolhouse for a look around. It’s a great way to stay active outside, considering there aren’t any mountains to hike around here.

I decided to haul the dogs over to Watkins Mill for our daily walk when I went back home to visit. I’ve also been going to this park since I was a kid, as it’s not far from where I grew up. There is a shady trail that runs around the lake, with the swim beach usually open during summer months; fishing is allowed, picnic tables are scattered about, and campsites nearby. One park entrance is located approx 1 mile N of 92 Hwy on Old Quarry Rd/​MO-​RA. Nice park to enjoy the wilderness!

I’ve been coming here since I was a wee little girl. There are many things to do, like hiking, bike riding, swimming, and camping. The hiking\ bicycle trail is paved and only three and 3\4 miles long. It is not at all hilly and can be taken at a leisurely pace. The trail goes around a man made lake with wooded areas surrounding it. You can also go camping and swimming.
Besides hiking you can also take a look at the woolen mill, the sheep, and the octagon school house. There is a fee to go into the woolen mill but you can hike and roam around the property for free