The Platte River flows through Platte Falls Conservation Area along a 9.1-mile unchannelized stretch. The area includes floodplain and upland woods, agricultural land, grassland, former fields and wetlands. Two boat ramps allow canoeists and kayakers to paddle for more than 2.5 miles without having to shuttle a vehicle. Here, the river and landscape can be experienced together, while the boat ramps also provide a practical way to enjoy recreational activities on the water.

River Views, Trails and Habitats

Trails in Weston Bend State Park offer sweeping views of the Missouri River. The overlook is accessible to people with disabilities. The Weston Bluffs Trail offers a different perspective on the river: it follows the Missouri River from Weston City Hall to the southern trailhead near Beverly. The perspectives described are therefore distinct: an overlook above the river on the one hand, and a trail that follows the river on the other.

Parkville Nature Sanctuary is a 115-acre wildlife sanctuary with nearly three miles of hiking trails. Animals found there include songbirds, deer and other small mammals, as well as frogs, turtles, snakes, colorful insects and many species of butterflies. This diversity ranges from mammals and birds to amphibians, reptiles and insects. English Landing Park offers a different kind of trail: three miles of walking paths closely follow the winding Missouri River. The park also has a large playground area and a disc golf course.

Platte Landing Park combines a boat ramp providing access to the main channel of the Missouri River with restored wetlands. These wetlands support wildlife habitats and allow visitors to experience a natural area within the park. Anyone wishing to fish at night on the Missouri River from English Landing Park or Platte Landing Park needs both a state fishing license and a city permit.

Art and Local History

The National Silk Art Museum features rotating exhibitions of more than 500 French and English silk tapestries. They are based on works by major artists from the 15th through the 20th century. The source works thus span several centuries, while the exhibitions change.

The Ben Ferrel Platte County Museum is housed in a Victorian brick house in the Federal Empire style, built in 1882. The museum includes a library with resources on local history and family genealogy. The Lewis and Clark Exhibit at Weston City Hall, by contrast, focuses on the expedition’s stop in this area along the Missouri River in the summer of 1804. The exhibit also covers the flora, fauna and topography observed by the expedition.

Weston’s historic Main Street offers unique shops and restaurants. Historic tours of Weston last 1 hour and 30 minutes and include a brief stop at the Weston Historical Museum. In Downtown Parkville, historic character along the Missouri River meets local restaurants and unique shops. Alongside nature and river experiences, art, local history and the offerings of the two downtowns provide distinct ways to explore the area.

Discover more destinations: Riverside, Platte City, Ferrelview, Oregon County, Boone, Callaway, Perry County, Miller County.

For the broader travel overview: Missouri.