South Shore Trail (Shawnee Mission Park) Hiking Guide
The South Shore Trail is the quiet side of Shawnee Mission Park. While mountain bikers ride the singletrack on the north shore, this unpaved loop stays hikers-only and winds through shady woods along the south side of the park's lake. It is short, mostly flat and free, which makes it an easy weeknight walk on the Kansas side of the metro.
The Loop
Hiking Project maps the eastern loop at 3.0 miles with about 145 feet of climbing, and its description calls it the 2.85-mile eastern half of a longer South Shore Trail. Johnson County Park and Recreation District's 2026 trail guide lists the South Shore Loop at 3.1 miles and rates it easy. Expect a densely canopied dirt path with gentle grades, a few rocks and roots, and glimpses of Shawnee Mission Park Lake through the trees. Right at the start you cross a creek on a concrete causeway, which floods only in high water; other crossings run only after rain.
Parking and Access
Start from the Shelter 10 lot or the Walnut Grove playground area; the district names both as access points. The park's main address is 7900 Renner Road. The park's status line carries a standing note that the South Shore Trail is closed between Walnut Grove and the off-leash area, while the separate hiking-trail line for the south trails showed open in mid-October 2026, so call (913) 204-0204, extension 20, before you commit to a direction.
Rules, Dogs and Hours
There is no fee to enter JCPRD parks; permits apply only to activities like boating, fishing and archery. Dogs are welcome on a leash, and the park also has a 44-acre off-leash area west of the 87th and Ridgeview entrance if your dog needs a run afterward. That area closes Tuesday and Thursday mornings until 9 a.m. for maintenance. Park hours run 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. from November through February and 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. the rest of the year.
Restrooms and Seasons
Hiking Project notes restrooms near Shelter 10 and Walnut Grove that may be open only seasonally, plus a portable toilet. The district says most of its restrooms close by November 1 and reopen around mid-April. The dense canopy keeps most of the loop shaded, which makes it a better summer choice than the open prairie trails elsewhere in Johnson County.
About the Park
Johnson County bought the land with its first parks bond in 1956 and dedicated Shawnee Mission Park on May 30, 1964. At 1,756 acres it is the second-largest park in the county, and JCPRD calls it the most visited park in Kansas. Much of that traffic heads for the beach, marina, disc golf courses and dog area, and the South Shore Trail keeps bikes off its tread.
Hiking tips for South Shore Trail (Shawnee Mission Park)
- Call (913) 204-0204, extension 20, to check the south hiking trails before you drive.
- Park at Shelter 10 for the shortest walk to the trailhead.
- Skip the causeway crossing after heavy rain; it is the one spot that floods.
- Bring water in winter, when the seasonal restrooms are usually closed.
- Save the north-shore singletrack for another day; it is shared with mountain bikes.
Nearby trails to explore
- Emerald Trail (Lexington Lake Park)
- Prairie Center Main Trail
- Wyandotte County Lake Bridle Trail Loop
Hike this trail with TrailMates
The South Shore loop is short enough for an after-work walk. Post one on TrailMates, settle on Shelter 10 or Walnut Grove in the event's group chat, and walk the lake together. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.