Parks, trails, lakes, and sports facilities in and around Kirksville and Adair County — from the city park system to the state park two miles down the road. This is not an exhaustive list; let us know if there’s a local recreation option that should be added.
Details below were gathered from each organization’s own site or public listings as of October 2026 and may change.
Parks, Trails & Recreation
Kirksville Parks & Recreation Department
The city department overseeing all Kirksville parks, sports leagues, and recreation programs, with online registration for classes and facility rentals, plus a scholarship program providing financial assistance toward program fees for qualifying participants.
Thousand Hills State Park & Forest Lake
A 3,215-acre state park two miles west of town, centered on the 573-acre Forest Lake, with a swimming beach, marina, cabins, camping, hiking and biking trails, and ancient petroglyphs.
(660) 665-6995 · 20431 State Hwy 157, Kirksville, MO
Big Creek Conservation Area
A 1,064-acre Missouri Department of Conservation area between Kirksville and Thousand Hills, with a multiuse trail connecting the two, plus birding and an annual 10K and half marathon.
Hazel Creek Lake
A 530-acre lake three miles north of Kirksville, city-owned and MDC-managed, open for fishing and electric-motor boating around the clock.
(660) 627-1225
Kirksville Aquatic Center
An indoor pool open year-round plus a seasonal outdoor water park with a splash pad, at Rotary Park. Offers swim lessons, water aerobics, and lifeguard training.
(660) 627-7665 · 801 E. Mill St., Kirksville, MO
Rotary Park & Disc Golf Course
A nine-hole disc golf course alongside picnic shelters, the Ray Klinginsmith Amphitheatre, and a sledding hill, at the same site as the Aquatic Center.
North Park Complex
A 30-acre sports complex on Novinger Street with multiple softball fields, a regulation baseball field, pee-wee fields, a concession stand, and accessible restrooms.
2710 Novinger St., Kirksville, MO
Detweiler Park
A city park on the former Kirksville High School site, dedicated in 2023 and named for former mayor Richard Detweiler, with concrete walkways and a gazebo built from recycled materials.
411 E. McPherson St., Kirksville, MO
Rock Lake Conservation Area
The newest addition to the city’s park system, a 15-acre lake with ongoing prairie restoration, developed jointly by the City of Kirksville and the Missouri Department of Conservation.
3405 S. First St., Kirksville, MO
McKinney Bark Park
Kirksville’s only dedicated dog park, with separate areas for small and large dogs, water bowls, and waste stations.
2524 S. Franklin St., Kirksville, MO
FLATS (Forest Lake Area Trail System)
An ADA-accessible, community-supported trail network for walking, jogging, and biking, anchored by the trailhead and nature playscape on N. Osteopathy St.
Kirksville Country Club
An 18-hole semi-private golf course with a driving range and pro shop, open to members and guests.
(660) 665-5335 · 1115 Country Club Dr., Kirksville, MO
Leisure World Lanes
A longtime local bowling center with a full-service lounge, open evenings and weekends.
(660) 665-7764 · 2310 E Illinois St., Kirksville, MO
The Armory Field House
A multi-sport training facility in the historic armory building, with turfed training bays, an indoor walking track, a fitness center, and a wrestling/combat room.
500 S. Elson St., Kirksville, MO · thearmoryfieldhouse@gmail.com
