TOUR | Abandoned Nature Camp in Swope Park in Kansas City, MO!

[@bothworlds69]

I been to this place in the early 1990's when I was a kid. I was almost in denial about this place even existing

[@Roloves-rd3ov]

I run summer camps every summer and we used the camp up until like 2010 maybe after. We would bring our groups there have multi camp competitions, hike the trails, etc. So suprised to see it completely overgrown. I think it would make a great haunted trail during Halloween and maybe money raised could help other parts or clear some of the trails.

[@HitTheTrailsKC]

A Halloween walk could be a fun time! They are starting to commercialize the area with a Christmas lights drive through on the main road. Swope park has plenty to offer. I’d love to see more people utilize it and bring money and ideas to the area.

[@heatherbratcher4184]

That song was the song we sang at camp. Did you go there? I was a camper from 80s until it closed in 88 when I was a counselor for the camp. It is a huge part of my childhood and I love every inch of that place.

[@HitTheTrailsKC]

Hi Heather. I don't have any personal connection with the camp. I know Dick Dawson and came across some of information he and others have compiled about the camp. It's a really fascinating place to explore though, along with some other historical locations-- Loose Park and Unity Village to name a few.

[@glowworm4436]

Today I just found an “abandoned trail” that branches off the Trolley Track Trail at around Woodland Ave...it was very overgrown and kept leading into East legacy park. It was getting dark and i came across an abandoned “hobo camp” so I turned back but I would like to see where it goes in the daytime sometime and find out why it’s been left neglected.

[@melindagracesmith9999]

Really nice job making this video!

[@HitTheTrailsKC]

Thanks, Melinda. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@glowworm4436]

I walked through these abandoned buildings in Swope park this weekend. Was wondering why they were left in disrepair. I did look up the pool tho...it was an old hydrotherapy pool for children.

[@HitTheTrailsKC]

I did not know much about the park either before starting this video and digging into it. The old camp has a fascinating history, and the buildings are a relic frozen in time. It looks like it was a great place to be while it was active.

[@metalmindedmaniac2587]

Still ain't ever been there and Mr. Thomas H. Swope is a far distant relative perhaps one day I'll visit.

[@thebookishhbookworm]

Hey, this is a great video,. Are the biking trails in Swope Park only for rugged mountain biking? Or are they smooth enough for lowkey electric bike cruising for the less athletically inclined?

[@HitTheTrailsKC]

Hey! Thanks for writing in. A mountain bike would be needed on these trails. If you are looking for some smooth paved paths, check out Blue River Trail in South KC. I’d also recommend Longview Lake, where you can even rent a bike if needed.

[@thebookishhbookworm]

@@HitTheTrailsKC ok thanks! I will definitely add your suggestions to my list!

[@monikabeck1285]

Awesome!!!! I had understood that Swope Park was one of the largest in-city parks in the US. I have enjoyed Swope Park by taking my high school class as a teacher (2008) appreciation party to the Swope Park Memorial on the Golf Park. My father in 1968 would take my siblings and I to the same spot overlooking the what now is the zoo and Starlight Theater. Beautiful Lion Statues. At that time it was just a lake with road below .We would walk down the Karst terrain builded by nautral stone steps. Beauty of Nature. When I was in college in 2000 , a part of my assignment of the Honors Class was that I had a project to make a request of the US to restore a KC memorial. It has shined and I dont know if it had to do with my request, but I'm sure happy. Come see it!

[@HitTheTrailsKC]

Thanks Monika. Swope is not only beautiful, but it holds so much history for the city. I'm glad you've been able to enjoy it over they years. Thanks for stopping by my channel!

[@ShowMeMo]

It's not abandoned.