Blue Hills Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Blue Hills Park is a 1,200-acre park located in Kansas City, Missouri.


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Summary

The park offers various attractions, including hiking trails, fishing, picnic areas, and playgrounds. Some of the main reasons to visit Blue Hills Park include its beautiful scenery, peaceful atmosphere, and ample outdoor recreation opportunities.

One of the main points of interest in Blue Hills Park is the 3.3-mile Blue River Greenway Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the park's natural beauty. The trail is a popular spot for hiking, biking, and even horseback riding. Visitors can also enjoy fishing in one of the park's two lakes and take advantage of the picnic areas and playgrounds for a fun family outing.

Interesting facts about Blue Hills Park include that it was once a part of the Santa Fe Trail and that it was used as a training ground for soldiers during World War I. The park is also home to a variety of plant and animal species, including deer, coyotes, and various birds.

The best time of year to visit Blue Hills Park is during the spring and fall months when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most vibrant. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy winter activities such as sledding and ice fishing on the park's lakes.

Overall, Blue Hills Park is a beautiful and tranquil destination that offers something for everyone. From outdoor enthusiasts to families looking for a fun day out, this park has plenty to offer.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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