Blue Trail (Clinton Lake North Shore) Hiking Guide
Clinton Lake's North Shore trails are a long network of rocky singletrack on the hills above the water just west of Lawrence. The blue-blazed Blue Trail runs closest to the lake. It is popular with mountain bikers, but hikers share it, and you can cut it short at many points by switching to the White Trail.
Permit: Clinton State Park requires a Kansas state park vehicle permit, priced per vehicle: from November 1, 2026, $7 a day or $39 for a calendar-year annual permit (the Passport bought with Kansas vehicle registration is $30.50). The Corps of Engineers' Overlook Park trailhead is free.
The Trail
Hiking Project maps the Blue Trail as an 8.0-mile point-to-point with about 286 feet of climbing and 353 feet of descent, between 888 and 967 feet of elevation, with grades up to 17 percent. Kansas Wildlife and Parks lists the whole North Shore Trail system at 25 miles, open all seasons to walking and mountain biking. The tread is rolling and full of rocks and roots, which Hiking Project warns is hard on the ankles; the hills aren't steep, but they wear on you after a few miles.
Planning the Distance
The trails run from the Corps of Engineers' Overlook Park west through Clinton State Park, and the White, Blue and Red trails are each blazed in their own color. The White Trail runs farther from the water and links to the Blue at several points, so you can build a short loop or a full-day traverse. For a one-way hike, leave a car at each end; otherwise turn around at a mile marker that suits your day.
Fees and Parking
Most trailheads are inside Clinton State Park, which requires a Kansas state park vehicle permit. KC Hiker notes that the Overlook Park trailhead is free, while other access points need park admission. Kansas Wildlife and Parks charges by vehicle, not by person. From November 1, 2026, a daily vehicle permit is $7 (up from $5) and the calendar-year annual permit is $39 (up from $25), with reduced senior and disabled rates. Kansas vehicle owners can add a State Parks Passport at registration instead, now $30.50. KC Hiker gives the North Shore trailhead parking as N. 1402 Road; restrooms are at Overlook Park and elsewhere in the park, not on the trail.
Dogs, Mud and Hazards
Kansas wildlife and parks rules allow pets on department land if they are on a lead no longer than 10 feet and under the owner's control. Hiking Project asks hikers to stay off when the trails are especially muddy, because damage from wet use can take years to fix; the Urban Trail Co. status line listed Clinton Lake open on October 19, 2026. Watch for snakes and poison ivy, and on fall mornings carry a stick for the spider webs strung across the singletrack.
Hiking tips for Blue Trail (Clinton Lake North Shore)
- Start at Overlook Park if you don't want to buy a state park permit.
- Add the State Parks Passport when you renew a Kansas vehicle registration if you visit state parks often.
- Wear sturdy shoes; the rocks and roots never really let up.
- Use the White Trail connectors to shorten the day.
- Give the singletrack time to dry out after a soaking storm.
Nearby trails to explore
- Emerald Trail (Lexington Lake Park)
- Konza Prairie Nature Trail
- South Shore Trail (Shawnee Mission Park)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Clinton's north shore is long enough to make a car shuttle worth it. Post the Blue Trail on TrailMates, sort out the shuttle and the permit in the event's group chat, and hike the shoreline end to end. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.