A Runner's Guide to Lee's Summit | The Running Well Store

Written by Robert Stocklaufer, Team Lead at The Running Well Store Lee's Summit location and Lee's Summit resident. Specialty in local route knowledge, trail running, and helping new runners take their first step.

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Running in Lee's Summit: More Than You Think

Whether you are looking to start commuting to work on foot due to rising gas prices, starting a more outdoorsy lifestyle, or hoping to find some new and unique places to run in the Lee's Summit area, we got you covered! Lee's Summit is a large municipality with a total land area of just about 66 square miles, so as you can imagine, there are a lot of great recreational areas for you to run, walk, and bike on! Here is a non-exhaustive list of some of our favorite routes, ranging from short little park paths perfect for a sunny day with the kids, all the way up to 20-mile epic trails that make you feel like a Hobbit on an unexpected journey!

The Heart of Lee's Summit Running: Rock Island Trail

700 SW Pryor Rd, Lee's Summit, MO 64081

If you have ever talked with a local Lee's Summit runner and asked "What's the best place to run in this town?" 9 times out of 10 you will get the same answer: "The Rock Island Trail." Rock Island is a 14ish-mile out-and-back gravel trail that goes from Lee's Summit to Arrowhead Stadium. Rock Island is beloved for a multitude of reasons. Some of the most frequently mentioned reasons include that it's flat, wide, shaded, carless, and has unlimited flexibility (meaning you go as far as you mean to go, and turn around and come back). Rock Island provides a nature sanctuary in the middle of town that a lot of us need after a long day of work! You can also explore the various trails that go off on the side of Rock Island if you are feeling more adventurous! Rock Island is also growing. The city is currently working on an extension of the trail that will connect it to the legendary Katy Trail, which goes all the way to St. Louis!

Park Paths (0.5 to 1 Mile Loops)

Lee's Summit has 30 parks, many of which have wide ADA accessible paved paths. Lee's Summit park paths tend to be no longer than a mile, so these paths are often great for runners looking to do short repeats and those who don't want to stray too far from the water and car. Speaking of water, most Lee's Summit Parks do have fountains, so do bring a bottle and some electrolytes like Zym tabs to maintain hydration during your workout! Some of our favorite parks to run are:

Lea McKeighan Park

125 NE Chipman Rd, Lee's Summit, MO 64063

Lea McKeighan is one of the most popular parks in town. Not only does it have a large jungle gym and splash pad for the kids, but it boasts a flat .75-mile handicap accessible loop that is almost always shared amongst fellow runners and walkers!

Arborwalk Park

1301 SW Arbor Park Drive, Lee's Summit, MO 64086

If you are looking for something with a little less foot traffic and on the south side of Lee's Summit, look no further than Arborwalk Park in Raintree. Arborwalk consists of a .9 mile loop that takes you around the quaint pond and over a pretty bridge amongst the trees.

Miller J Fields Park

1301 SE 3rd Terr, Lee's Summit, MO 64063

Miller Park features the best of both worlds with the previous two parks mentioned. Featuring a large play area for kids, a splash pad, and baseball fields, this is a favorite for parents as you run .6 mile loops around your little one in this quiet neighborhood park! Miller also has some of the nicest restroom facilities! This park's path is a perfect kilometer, which makes kilometer repeats and 5ks a mental breeze!

Some other significant park paths to check out are Lowenstien, Charles David Hartman, and Happy Tails.

Lake Runs (2.7 to 5 Miles)

One of our favorite aspects of Lee's Summit is just how many lakes we have in town! We have 6 large lakes, and almost all of them have running and walking paths! These next running routes are where most local Lee's Summit runners choose to run, providing the right amount of exploration without being completely alone!

Unity Village Nature Trail

1901 NW Blue Pkwy, Unity Village, MO 64065

The Unity Loop is a 2.7-mile gravel nature trail that takes you out to a secluded lake, a small cave, and some cool turn-of-the-century Spanish architecture homes and back! This trail does have a couple significant hills that boast 260 feet of climbing per loop. This trail is perfect for runners who are seeking a bit of solitude but still want the safety and reassurance of being only a couple minutes away from help.

Raintree Lake Loop

825 SW Raintree Dr, Lee's Summit, MO 64082

The Raintree Lake loop is one of Lee's Summit's most popular residential lake trails. This 5-mile trail takes you along the shore and around the 235-acre lake. You will walk along paths, sidewalks, and small parts running along the residential road, so we highly encourage you to wear reflective gear like our Noxgear reflective lights so cars can see you! We also encourage you to bring your own hydration and fuel since there are no stops along the route.

James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area Loop

12405 SE Ranson Rd, Lee's Summit, MO 64082

James A. Reed, or JAR for short, is a wildlife area on the east side of Lee's Summit. It consists of 12 smaller lakes stocked with fish. This is the perfect place to run if you are looking to be one with nature. It is pretty secluded, besides the occasional deer, birds, and fisherman sightings. The 2.7-mile JAR loop is clear year-round from snow, and is a favorite for winter runs.

Another lake run we encourage you to check out is the Lakewood Loop in North Lee's Summit!

Long Runs (5 to 15 Miles)

These next recommendations are much longer and more strenuous. Whether there isn't a way to easily get back to the car, hilly routes, or exposure to the sun and weather, we encourage you to come into these runs with the necessary gear like lights, a running vest, nutrition, and a phone.

Legacy Loop

1201 NE Legacy Park Dr, Lee's Summit, MO 64086

The Legacy loop is a fully paved 5-mile loop that circles Lee's Summit's largest recreational park. The park consists of an 18-hole disc golf course, a 22-acre pond, a large amphitheater, a softball and baseball complex, and numerous other outdoor activities. On the path, you will find open prairies, rolling hills, and other runners and cyclists enjoying the outdoors. This is one of those paths that doesn't have a lot of support once you are a couple miles in, so we encourage you to bring a running bottle like our Nathan and Amphipod handhelds filled with your hydration drink of choice and maybe a gel or two!

Longview Loop

3390 SW Fascination Dr, Lee's Summit, MO 64081

The Longview loop is a highly trafficked 10-mile loop that circles Longview Lake on the West Side of Lee's Summit. A majority of the run will be shared with cyclists on massive pedestrian-only shoulders along the roads. This route has numerous rolling hills, and at the south end of the lake, you will face a large 100+ foot climb that provides you with a scenic and beautiful view of all of Lee's Summit as far as the eye can see! We recommend a running vest, reflective materials, extra hydration, and multiple gels to get you through this tough but rewarding run.

Little Blue Trace Trail

13498 E 87th St, Lee's Summit, MO 64064

The Little Blue is not so little, consisting of 15.5 miles of packed gravel and pavement that runs from just north of Lee's Summit up through Independence. This is another long out-and-back trail that is pancake flat and used heavily by runners, walkers, and cyclists. There is not as much tree coverage with this trail as there is with Rock Island, so make sure to wear sunscreen, a running hat, and sunglasses like our Goodr and Tifosi. Plan ahead with this trail, and make sure to bring all the necessary items for a long run!

Another Long Run location would be running the Lake Winnebago Loop, which is about 13 miles of rolling hills.

Trail Runs in Lee's Summit

Lee's Summit is very fortunate to be where it's located. As you can tell, we have already listed numerous trails, but we do have tons of rugged single track filled with rocks, roots, animals, and a lack of cell phone service. If this is what catches your eye, we encourage you to have a pack with all your necessary running gear like the Ultraspire Stealth Race Vest, a Garmin that has built-in Maps and SOS mode, proper trail shoes, and a headlamp. This is where we don't call these trails for runners and walkers, it's now runners and hikers!

Lower Rock Ledges Loop

8401 Beach Rd, Lee's Summit, MO 64086

Lower Rock Ledges is a 3.5-mile loop that runs along the edge of Lake Jacomo. This trail is one of the most popular first-timer trails, because it's easy to access and easy to follow. Just be prepared for mud in the Spring and Summer. Do be aware that the trail runs adjacent to Upper Rock Ledges, so make sure you follow the markers along the trail so you don't get mixed up.

North Shore Trail Loop

This is a more tamed and relaxed 4.5-mile trail that goes along the north shore of Blue Springs Lake. The terrain is not very rough for singletrack; however, the trail does have tons of intersections, so be sure to have a Garmin with maps handy to make sure you don't go off path. This trail has beautiful views of the water almost the entire time and tends to be a bit cooler since it's less inland than other trails in the Lee's Summit area.

Complete Augie Trail Loop

8201-8205 SE Park Rd, Lee's Summit, MO 64064

If you're looking for rugged and seeking the backcountry feeling, this 17-mile loop is yours! Covering Augie trail phases 1-4, you can expect rocky bluffs, steep climbs, and tons of nature and wildlife. This is for the experienced hiker and trail runner, since you will not be seeing many faces along the way! This trail is a personal favorite and has over 1000ft of climbing. Please make sure to be overly cautious and have anything and everything you could need before starting.

Some other trails to explore around Lee's Summit are Eight Track, Prickly Pear, Bobcat, Larry's Trail, and JAR Birding Trail.

Frequently Asked Questions: Running in Lee's Summit

Q: What is the best place to run in Lee's Summit?
A: Most local runners will tell you the Rock Island Trail, a 14-mile out-and-back gravel trail from Lee's Summit to Arrowhead Stadium. It is flat, shaded, car-free, and completely flexible in terms of distance. It is the single most mentioned running route in the Lee's Summit running community.

Q: Are there good running trails for beginners in Lee's Summit?
A: Yes. The park loops at Lea McKeighan, Arborwalk, and Miller J Fields are all flat, accessible, and easy to navigate. For first-time trail runners, the Lower Rock Ledges Loop at Lake Jacomo is the most beginner-friendly option with clear markings and easy access.

Q: Where can I do long runs of 10 or more miles in Lee's Summit?
A: The Longview Loop (10 miles around Longview Lake) and the Little Blue Trace Trail (15.5 miles) are both excellent options for longer efforts. For the most epic option, the Complete Augie Trail Loop covers 17 miles of rugged terrain with over 1,000 feet of climbing.

Q: Is there a running group in Lee's Summit?
A: Yes. Lee's Summit has a group running 4 days a week from various locations around town. Stop in to The Running Well Store Lee's Summit location and we can get you connected with the group.

Q: What gear should I bring for long trail runs in Lee's Summit?
A: For longer and more remote routes, we recommend a running vest with hydration, a GPS watch with map capability, nutrition like gels or chews, reflective gear for road-adjacent routes, and trail shoes with grip for technical terrain. Come in to the store and we can help you dial in exactly what you need for your planned route.