Emerald Trail (Lexington Lake Park) Hiking Guide

Lexington Lake Park sits west of De Soto, and the Emerald Trail is the route Hiking Project maps through its woods. The singletrack threads oak and hickory forest above the lake, crosses a few open patches and passes outcrops of limestone. It is a good pick when Shawnee Mission Park feels busy.

no permit neededdog-friendly
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
4.5 mi
Elevation gain
205 ft
Trailhead
De Soto
well-worn singletrack through oak and hickory woodslimestone outcrops and stray pink granite465-acre park with a 27-acre lakevirgin prairie with federally threatened Mead's milkweed
springfallwinter

The Trail

Hiking Project maps the Emerald Trail as a 4.5-mile point-to-point with about 205 feet of climbing and 228 feet of descent, between 820 and 895 feet of elevation. Its contributor found the tread well maintained, clear and recently trimmed, rocky in places, and mostly under trees with only a few open spots. Signage is sparse, but the path is well worn. Watch for limestone formations and the occasional piece of pink granite, which the contributor found odd for the area. To come back to your car, either retrace your steps or combine it with other loops in the park's trail network.

The Park

Johnson County Park and Recreation District describes Lexington Lake Park as 465 acres, west of De Soto and north of Kansas Highway 10, with a 27-acre lake. The district highlights a virgin prairie with 120 prairie plant species, including the federally threatened Mead's milkweed, plus oak and hickory forest and tallgrass prairie. There is a 1.6-mile paved trail around the lake and nine miles of mountain bike and hiking trails, along with a disc golf course and a shelter.

Sharing With Bikes

The dirt trails here are shared with mountain bikers, and the Urban Trail Co. maintains them with JCPRD. Riders move quickly through the trees, so keep your ears open on blind turns. The trails close to everyone when they are wet. Check the Urban Trail Co. status line at (913) 204-0204 or the RainoutLine app; Lexington Lake Park showed open on October 19, 2026.

Fees, Dogs and Facilities

JCPRD parks have no entry fee; boating and fishing on the lake need their own permits and licenses. Dogs must stay on a leash. JCPRD's trail guide warns that most restrooms are shut from early November until roughly April 15, with portable toilets filling in, so plan for that on a winter visit.

Hiking tips for Emerald Trail (Lexington Lake Park)

  • Check the Urban Trail Co. line before you go; the dirt closes when wet.
  • Download the route; trail signs are sparse.
  • Step aside for bikes on the shared singletrack.
  • Plan an out-and-back or a loop, since the trail is mapped one way.
  • Look for the spring and summer wildflowers in the park's prairie.

Nearby trails to explore

  • South Shore Trail (Shawnee Mission Park)
  • Prairie Center Main Trail
  • Blue Trail (Clinton Lake North Shore)

Hike this trail with TrailMates

Lexington Lake is quiet enough for a relaxed group hike. Post the Emerald Trail on TrailMates, agree in the event's group chat on whether to go out-and-back, and meet at the lake lot. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.