AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Forest Park

Kennedy Forest–Heels Path, 3 sights

5.3 mi · ▲ 137 ft · 1 hr 50 min

Kennedy Forest–Heels Path, 3 sights is a 5.3-mile out-and-back in Forest Park near Rock Springs, MO. The route reaches Kennedy Forest. It is mostly level, with 137 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi476 – 581 ft6.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Wheels Path 38.63073, -90.27909
Nearest town Rock Springs, MO · Official trailhead info (forestparkmap.org)
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Kennedy Forest–Heels Path, 3 sights

5.3 mi · ▲ 137 ft · 1 hr 50 min

Elevation 477–580 ft

Out & Back · Forest Park

Trailhead: Wheels Path · 38.63073, -90.27909

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:49 AM · sunset 7:01 PM

Transit-accessible: Oakland at Highlander stop 78 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Wheels Path, heading W.
  2. 0.5 miContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading W.
  3. 50 ftContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading W.
  4. 50 ftContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading W.
  5. 100 ftContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading W.
  6. 50 ftContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading W.
  7. 50 ftContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading W.
  8. 50 ftContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading W.
  9. 50 ftContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading W.
  10. 50 ftContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading SW.
  11. 50 ftBear right, heading S.
  12. 50 ftBear left, heading S.
  13. 150 ftContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading W.
  14. 150 ftContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading W.
  15. 50 ftTurn right onto Wheels Path, heading W.
  16. 0.3 miPass Kennedy Forest.
  17. 1.3 miContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading N.
  18. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading N.
  19. 150 ftContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading N.
  20. 50 ftContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading N.
  21. 50 ftContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading N.
  22. 0.4 miContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading E.
  23. 50 ftReach Kennedy Forest, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  24. 50 ftContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading E.
  25. 0.4 miContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading E.
  26. 100 ftContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading E.
  27. 50 ftContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading E.
  28. 150 ftContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading NE.
  29. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading W.
  30. 0.1 miTurn left, heading W.
  31. 1.5 miTurn left onto Heels Path, heading S.
  32. 50 ftContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading S.
  33. 300 ftBear right, heading SE.
  34. 50 ftBear left onto Heels Path, heading SE.
  35. 50 ftContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading SE.
  36. 50 ftContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading SE.
  37. 50 ftContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading E.
  38. 50 ftContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading E.
  39. 50 ftContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading E.
  40. 50 ftContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading E.
  41. 100 ftContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading E.
  42. 50 ftContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading E.
  43. 50 ftContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading E.
  44. 0.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/kennedy-forest-heels-path-out-back-3-sights

Trail surface

78% paved22% gravel

Weather

Sunrise 6:49 AMSunset 7:01 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.1 mi in (~3 min). Leave by 6:39 PM for the 7:01 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:19 PM — 9 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Oakland at Highlander stop 78 m from the trailhead
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Wheels Path Trailhead

Hikes near Rock Springs, Missouri