Outlet Park
Managed by City of Lawrence
578 acres4.6 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Photo: Shannon Beat · CC BY 4.0AOutdoors
Outdoors in Lawrence
Lawrence has 46 miles of mapped trails, 1.3 for every square mile of land
13% of Lawrence’s land is conserved, about 2,984 acres. The biggest trail networks: Outlet Park (4.6 mi), Riverfront Park (2.9 mi), Lawrence Nature Park (2.8 mi). 89% of residents live within a half mile of a park.
Ahead of 92% of U.S. towns · #3 of 151 in Kansas. What drives it
Conserved land
13%
2,984 acres · of 34.6 sq mi of land
Trails
46 mi
1.3 per sq mi of land
Park land
2,777 ac
29 acres per 1,000 residents
Near a park
89%
of residents within ½ mile
Bike routes
116 mi
25 mi lanes · 58 mi paths
Highest peak
1,037 ft
Mount Oread
Lakes & rivers
8
4 boat launches
What kind of outdoors town is Lawrence?
Read from the map. The page puts what stands out first.
Outdoors grade
How much outdoors does Lawrence have?
On conserved land, trails, park land and how close residents live to a park, Lawrence is ahead of 92% of U.S. towns, #3 of 151 in Kansas. All four inputs are above most U.S. towns; trail miles rank highest, park acres per resident lowest.
A
OutdoorsA character grade: shown, never part of Lawrence’s overall grade.
Conserved land13% of the land · typical KS town 2% · U.S. 4%A−Trails1.3 miles of mapped trail per square mile of land (46 mi) · KS 0.2 · U.S. 0.4APark land29 acres of park per 1,000 residents (2,777 acres) · KS 13 · U.S. 13B+Parks close to home89% of residents within a half mile of a park · KS 76% · U.S. 72%B+
All U.S. towns we grade (21,298)Ahead of 92%
LessMore
Kansas towns of 2,500+ (151)#3 of 151
Few Kansas towns conserve much land (a typical one, 2%; the U.S., 4%), so Lawrence’s 13% is ahead of 96% of Kansas towns, while its trails per square mile lead 94% of them.
How sure. Graded on any three of the four inputs instead, the letter would still be A. Trails and many small parks come from OpenStreetMap, mapped by volunteers, so coverage varies from town to town; the half mile is a straight line from each census block, so a river or highway in the way isn’t counted against it.
PAD-US, OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors), Census 2025 Gazetteer and 2020 blocks; details in Sources below. How TownRatings grades the outdoors →
The map
Conserved land, trails & bike routes
Tap a number to zoom to a park. Tap a layer to hide it.
Easements protect land from building but are usually private.© OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US
Places to walk
Pick a walk
The longest trail network is Outlet Park, with 4.6 miles. Directions go to the nearest trailhead or public parking.
Riverfront Park
Nature preserve
717 acres2.9 mi of trail
Riverfront North Park TrailLawrence River TrailConnector
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the trailheadWebsite ↗
Lawrence Nature Park
Managed by City of Lawrence
94 acres2.8 mi of trail
Purple RouteWhite RouteYellow RouteRed Route
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Sports Pavilion Lawrence
Park
77 acres2.2 mi of trail
Sports Pavilion Lawrence TrailsRock Chalk Park Trails
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lotWebsite ↗
"Dad" Perry Park
Managed by City of Lawrence
46 acres1.9 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Prairie Park
Managed by City of Lawrence
81 acres1.2 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lotWebsite ↗
South Park
Managed by City of Lawrence
17 acres1 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto Lot #7Website ↗
DeVictor Park
Managed by City of Lawrence
46 acres0.9 mi of trail
DeVictor Park Nature Trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lotWebsite ↗
All 51 parks & preserves
Outlet Park578 acres · 4.6 mi of trail · City of Lawrence
DirectionsRiverfront Park717 acres · 2.9 mi of trail
DirectionsLawrence Nature Park94 acres · 2.8 mi of trail · City of Lawrence
DirectionsSports Pavilion Lawrence77 acres · 2.2 mi of trail
Directions"Dad" Perry Park46 acres · 1.9 mi of trail · City of Lawrence
DirectionsPrairie Park81 acres · 1.2 mi of trail · City of Lawrence
DirectionsSouth Park17 acres · 1 mi of trail · City of Lawrence
DirectionsDeVictor Park46 acres · 0.9 mi of trail · City of Lawrence
DirectionsBrook Creek Park41 acres · 0.9 mi of trail · City of Lawrence
Kanza Southwind Nature Preserve18 acres · 0.8 mi of trail · City of Lawrence
Burcham Park64 acres · 0.7 mi of trail
DirectionsHolcom Park32 acres · 0.7 mi of trail · City of Lawrence
DirectionsNaismith Valley Park46 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · City of Lawrence
DirectionsRotary Arboretum44 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · City of Lawrence
DirectionsDeerfield Park10 acres · 0.5 mi of trail
DirectionsWatson Park9 acres · 0.5 mi of trail
DirectionsEdgewood Park18 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · City of Lawrence
DirectionsHaskell Driving Range12 acres · 0.4 mi of trail
DirectionsLyons Park11 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · City of Lawrence
DirectionsBroken Arrow Park29 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsVeterans Park3 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsSesquicentennial Point79 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsMarvin Grove35 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsBurroughs Creek Trail and Linear Park34 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsStonegate Park16 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Lawrence
Hobbs Park6 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · City of Lawrence
DirectionsClinton Park5 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsJohn Taylor Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsWater Tower Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsRobinson Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsPat Dawson Billings Nature Area44 acres
Centennial Park38 acres
DirectionsPeterson Park22 acres · City of Lawrence
DirectionsConrad & Viola McGrew Nature Preserve15 acres
DirectionsGreen Meadows Park11 acres · City of Lawrence
Quail Run Park10 acres
DirectionsSandra J. Shaw Community Health Park8 acres
DirectionsHaskell Rail-Trail8 acres
DirectionsTraditional Native Games Space3 acres
Constant Park3 acres · City of Lawrence
DirectionsWoody Park3 acres · City of Lawrence
DirectionsChief Jim McSwain Park2 acres · City of Lawrence
DirectionsPark Hill Park #12 acres
Parnell Park2 acres · City of Lawrence
DirectionsLudlam Park2 acres
DirectionsPark Hill Park #22 acres
DirectionsPark Hill Park #31 acres
DirectionsChaparral Park1 acres · City of Lawrence
Walnut Park1 acres
DirectionsHand Park1 acres · City of Lawrence
DirectionsQuarry Park1 acres · Lawrence Parks and Rec
DirectionsWho protects it
2,984 conserved acres
13% of Lawrence’s land. Who manages Lawrence’s conserved land, from the USGS Protected Areas Database. Approximate, because parcels can overlap.
Town or city2,330 ac
Army Corps of Engineers1,227 ac
Local Park · 1,966 acRecreation Management Area · 1,227 acLocal Conservation Area · 237 acLocal Recreation Area · 100 acLocal Historic or Cultural Area · 27 ac
Good to know
Conserved doesn’t always mean open to visitors. Public access isn’t recorded for 1 of 55 parcels. The walks above are places people visit.
The biggest protected parcels
| Parcel (PAD-US) | Managed by | Acres | Public access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton Recreation Area Recreation Management Area | Army Corps of Engineers | 1,227 | Open |
| Riverfront Park Local Park | Town or city | 763 | Open |
| Unknown Park Local Conservation Area | Town or city | 237 | Open |
| Future Park (Undeveloped) Local Park | Town or city | 179 | Unknown |
| Sesquicentennial Point Local Park | Town or city | 97 | Open |
| Lawrence Nature Park Local Park | Town or city | 96 | Open |
| Youth Sports Complex Local Recreation Area | Town or city | 88 | Open |
| Mutt Run Local Park | Town or city | 84 | Open |
| Prairie Park Local Park | Town or city | 78 | Open |
| Burcham Park Local Park | Town or city | 59 | Open |
5 smaller protected places aren’t shown.
Things to do
147 places to go in Lawrence
Beaches, playgrounds, peaks, falls and more. Pick a kind.
Public pools in Lawrence
South Park Wading PoolIn South Park
DirectionsPlaygrounds in Lawrence
117 playgrounds are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Dog parks in Lawrence
Riverfront Park Off Leash Dog AreaIn Riverfront Park
DirectionsPlus 7 dog parks without a name on the map. Tap “Show all on map” to see them.
Boat launches in Lawrence
Lawrence Eighth Street Boat Ramp
DirectionsLawrence Riverfront Park Boat RampIn Riverfront Park
DirectionsPlus 2 boat launches without a name on the map.
Peaks in Lawrence
Mount Oread1,037 ft elevation
DirectionsCampgrounds in Lawrence
Hidden Valley Camp
DirectionsDisc golf in Lawrence
Riverfront Park Disc Golf CourseIn Riverfront Park · City of Lawrence
DirectionsCommunity gardens in Lawrence
Lawrence Community Garden
DirectionsLittle Prairie Community GardenIn Peterson Park
DirectionsRaised Garden BedHaskell Greenhouse
DirectionsRaised Garden BedHaskell Greenhouse
DirectionsRaised Garden BedHaskell Greenhouse
DirectionsRaised Garden BedHaskell Greenhouse
DirectionsRaised Garden BedHaskell Greenhouse
DirectionsRaised Garden BedHaskell Greenhouse
Directions5 more community gardens
Raised Garden BedHaskell Greenhouse
DirectionsRestoration AreaHaskell Greenhouse
DirectionsRestoration AreaHaskell Greenhouse
DirectionsRestoration AreaHaskell Greenhouse
DirectionsRestoration AreaHaskell Greenhouse
DirectionsPlus 1 community garden without a name on the map. Tap “Show all on map” to see it.
Trails & water
15 named trails and 8 lakes & rivers
Named trails
Open to bikes · 0.7 miUnpaved · 20.5 mi
Haskell Cross Country Course4.2 mi
Sports Pavilion Lawrence Trails2.5 mi
Riverfront North Park Trail1.4 mi
Purple Route1.2 mi
White Route0.8 mi
Brook Creek Outer Loop0.7 mi
Yellow Route0.6 mi
Rock Chalk Park Trails0.6 mi
DeVictor Park Nature Trail0.5 mi
Haskell Medicine Wheel0.5 mi
5 more trails
Lawrence River Trail
0.2 miRed Route
0.2 miConnector
0.1 miBrook Creek Connectors
0.1 miBrook Creek Connector
0.1 miLakes & rivers tap for directions
Biking & sports
116 miles of bike routes
Bike lanes are often missing from the map in smaller towns, so that number is likely low.
25 mi
painted or protected bike lanes
58 mi
off-road bike paths
32 mi
shoulders & shared lanes
Courts & fields
58Basketball
55Tennis
25Soccer
24Baseball
19Football
14Pickleball
12Beach volleyball
11Softball
Includes school and college facilities, which aren’t always open to the public.
History along the way
History →66 places on the National Register, one a National Historic Landmark
The country’s official list of places worth saving (National Park Service). The map also marks 12 historic points from OpenStreetMap: plaques, memorials and old buildings.
Old Lawrence City HallBuilding · listed 1971
About itLudington HouseBuilding · listed 1971
About itCol. James Blood HouseBuilding · listed 1972
About itOld West Lawrence Historic DistrictDistrict · listed 1972
About itDyche Hall, University of KansasBuilding · listed 1974
About itGreen Hall, University of KansasBuilding · listed 1974
About itSpooner Hall, University of KansasBuilding · listed 1974
About itJohn N. Roberts HouseBuilding · listed 1974
About itS. T. Zimmerman HouseBuilding · listed 1974
About itOld Lawrence City LibraryBuilding · listed 1975
About itJohn Palmer Usher HouseBuilding · listed 1975
About it54 more on the History page.
When to get out
April is the best month for walking in Lawrence
NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for the town and the daylight at its latitude. Outlined months have long days, highs of 59 to 86 °F and little rain for the place.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daylight (h) | 9.7 | 10.7 | 11.8 | 13.2 | 14.3 | 14.9 | 14.6 | 13.7 | 12.4 | 11.1 | 10.0 | 9.4 |
| High (°F) | 39 | 45 | 56 | 66 | 76 | 85 | 90 | 88 | 80 | 68 | 55 | 43 |
| Rain (in) | 1.0 | 1.4 | 2.3 | 3.8 | 5.1 | 5.5 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 3.8 | 3.1 | 2.0 | 1.6 |
January is the driest month (1.0 in) and July the warmest (highs of 90 °F). 5.5 inches fall in June, the wettest month. Summer highs reach 90 °F, too hot for the outline. The climate in Lawrence →
Next door
Lawrence and its neighbors
Lawrence has the most mapped trails of the 6 towns around it. Tap a town to see its outdoors.
Lawrence46 miClinton Township36 miKanwaka Township25 miWakarusa Township18 miGrant Township7.1 miEudora Township1.1 mi
| Town | Conserved of land | Trail mi per sq mi | Park acres per 1,000 | Near a park ½ mile | Outdoors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | 13% | 1.3 | 29 | 89% | A |
| Wakarusa Township | 3% | 0.4 | 95 | 24% | B |
| Grant Township | — not graded: under 1,000 residents or part of its town | ||||
| Kanwaka Township | 20% | 0.6 | 820 | 11% | A− |
| Clinton Township | — not graded: under 1,000 residents or part of its town | ||||
| Eudora Township | under 1% | under 0.1 | 11 | 73% | C |
The four inputs of the Outdoors grade, from the engine; shares are of land, not water.
Questions about parks and trails in Lawrence
Where can I hike in Lawrence?
The longest trail networks: Outlet Park, 4.6 miles; Riverfront Park, 2.9 miles; Lawrence Nature Park, 2.8 miles; Sports Pavilion Lawrence, 2.2 miles. Each one is on the map above, with directions to the nearest trailhead or parking.
How much of Lawrence is conserved land?
13% of its land, against a typical 2% for a Kansas town and 4% nationally (PAD-US). Conserved doesn’t always mean open to visitors: easements are usually private land.
Are dogs allowed on Lawrence’s trails?
Outlet Park and Riverfront Park don’t have dog rules recorded on the map; check the signs at the trailhead.
Where can I bike in Lawrence?
116 miles of bike routes are on the map: 25 of painted or protected lanes, 58 of off-road paths and 32 of shoulders and shared lanes.
Is there public land near Lawrence?
12,773 acres of parks and open public land lie inside Lawrence or within 10 miles of it (PAD-US), 3,208 of them inside the city line.
How much outdoors does Lawrence have?
Ahead of 92% of U.S. towns on the Outdoors grade, #3 of 151 in Kansas. The grade combines the share of land that is conserved, miles of mapped trail per square mile of land, park acres per 1,000 residents and the share of residents within a half mile of a park. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.
Trail talk
Conditions, parking and favorite walks from Lawrence neighbors.
Share a tip
Sources
Where this page comes from
Conserved and public land: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), service updated July 2026. Parks, trails, playgrounds, beaches and other places: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), map data as of 2026-10-28. Land and water area: Census 2025 Gazetteer. Residents near a park: 2020 Census blocks. National Register: National Park Service. How TownRatings grades the outdoors →