{{ galleryProps.activeIndex + 1 }}/5
Trail Length:
1.3 miles
Difficulty:
Easy
Trail Usage:
Hiking
Trail Type:
Looped
Terrain:
Crushed Gravel
ADA Accessible:
No
Pet Friendly:
No
Bathrooms:
Yes
Trail Cost:
Free
Parking:
Available at Trailhead
Easy: Typically less than 4 miles. Minimal change in elevation. Few or no obstacles.
Moderate: These trails tend to be longer. They also typically have more extreme changes in elevation, steeper inclines, and some obstacles.
Challenging: Long trails (typically 8+ miles), more extreme changes in elevation, steep inclines, and some obstacles. Completing them will require carrying provisions.
Share this Trail
Share this Trail
Trail Features at a Glance
River
Rock Formations
Trail Description
The Bethany Falls Trail is a 1.33 mile looped trail. It is one of my favorite trails to visit over and over again in the Kansas City metro area. Though it is only within 20 miles of downtown, it is distant enough from the hustle and bustle of city activity to provide a calming and serene natural atmosphere. The trail is one of many within the Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area.
[su_heading size="20"]
Bethany Falls…
The Bethany Falls Trail is a 1.33 mile looped trail. It is one of my favorite trails to visit over and over again in the Kansas City metro area. Though it is only within 20 miles of downtown, it is distant enough from the hustle and bustle of city activity to provide a calming and serene natural atmosphere. The trail is one of many within the Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area.
Bethany Falls Trail Overview
Burr Oak Conservation Area
Bethany Falls Trail is located within the Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area. There are a total of 6 trails within the 1,071 acre property. The trails are covered with finely crushed gravel, which is well-suited for draining water, making this park a great place to visit while other trails are closed due to rain. While some of the trails are ADA accessible, the Bethany Falls Trail contains a shallow staircase.
Lush Vegetation and Wildlife
The trail begins with a short trip over a wooden bridge that serves as the entrance and exit to the trail. It then veers left to begin the journey around the looped portion of the trail. Along the way, you’ll encounter some beautiful greenery, inland forest, and an overlook of Burr Oak Creek. Wild violets are prevalent along the trail from around April to June.
Large Limestone Outcrops
Of all the trails within the Burr Oak Conservation Area, the Bethany Falls Trail is easily the most scenic. This is due to the magnificent outcrops of limestone–some of the largest I’ve discovered in the Kansas City area. Bethany Falls Limestone (the namesake of the trail) is a composition of limestone that is prevalent in the Kansas City area. The trail meanders alongside these moss-covered limestone outcrops, and occasionally passes between them.
Hours of Operation
Area Hours
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Monday: 6:00AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Administration Building Hours
Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Trail Breakdown
Bethany Falls Trail is one of many short trails within the Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area. See the full list of trails below:
| Trail Name | Mileage | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Tree Trail | 0.75 | Hiking |
| J Earnest Dunn Jr. Discovery Trail | 0.5 | Hiking |
| Wildlife Habitat Trail | 1.5 | Hiking |
| Bethany Falls Trail | 1.33 | Hiking |
| Hickory Grove Trail | 1.15 | Hiking |
| Prairie Connector Trail | 0.5 | Hiking |
Location
Trail Length:
1.3 miles
Difficulty:
Easy
Trail Usage:
Hiking
Terrain:
Crushed Gravel
ADA Accessible:
No
Pet Friendly:
No
Bathrooms:
Yes
Trail Cost:
Free
Parking:
Available at Trailhead
Share this Trail
Easy: Typically less than 4 miles. Minimal change in elevation. Few or no obstacles.
Moderate: These trails tend to be longer. They also typically have more extreme changes in elevation, steeper inclines, and some obstacles.
Challenging: Long trails (typically 8+ miles), more extreme changes in elevation, steep inclines, and some obstacles. Completing them will require carrying provisions.
It's Easy to Say Thank You
You can support this free hiking guide by buying anything from Amazon using this link. I will receive a small commission from the sale and it comes at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Hit The Trails KC
Buy Anything on AmazonSupport via PayPal
You can also support Hit The Trails KC directly by making a donation via PayPal.
Nearby Trails
Hit The Trails KC creates cinematic virtual tours and reviews of hiking trails.
Copyright © 2021 HitTheTrailsKC. All rights reserved.