Missouri Hiking and Biking Trails

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Hiking and Biking Trails Missouri

Discover Missouri by foot or by bike. There are many hiking and biking trails throughout the state. Explore forests, woodlands, wetlands, beaches around lakes, parks, river valleys, historic sites, winding roads, quiet countrysides and peaceful towns. See birds and wildlife along the way. Stop to fish or canoe. Hike or bike with a buddy. Bring along adequate water and food. Take your cellphone. Stay on trails. Use commonsense. Take all safety precautions. Get aquainted with local regulations and laws if applicable. Enjoy your trip.

See State Parks for more hiking and biking areas.

 

Hike or Bike across Missouri via the Katy Trail State Park. This trail is a 225 mile hiking and biking route. The Katy Trail crosses the Missouri River in the northwest and is only 13 miles long in this region. In the Northeast, hikers and bikers can access trail at 9 different locations in region. In Central Missouri, access the trail at 16 different locations.

 

Northwest Missouri

Katy Trail State Park
passes through Northwest Missouri for 13 miles
acccess point is at New Franklin in Howard County and crosses Missouri river
New Franklin

Richard L. Berkley Riverfront Park
Located on the Missouri River in Downtown Kansas City, bike or hike a mile long path with scenic views of the riverfront and downtown skyline
Kansas City

Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and state historic site
tours of 19th century woolen mill and home, hiking trails on property
Lawson

Burr Oak Woods Nature Center
5 hiking trails, aquarium, wildlife viewing room
Blue Springs

Bunch Hollow Conservation Area
unspoiled area for excellent hiking and nature study
Chillicothe

Mormon Walking trail
one mile walking trail with displays on Mormon history
Independence

Truman walking trail
2.7 mile sidewalk trail
Independence

James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area
conservation area excellent area for hiking
Lee's Summit

Fountian Grove conservation Area
wetlands area with hiking trails
Meadville

Smithville Lake
near Kansas City, hiking and biking trails
Smithville

Bluffwoods Conservation area
2300 acre orested area with hiking trails and picnic shelters, located just south of St. Joseph

Mark Youngdahl Urban conservation area
2 miles of hiking trails, wildflowers, marsh and pond, picnic shelters with grills, benches for rest
St. Joseph

 

Northeast Missouri

Katy Trail access points for hiking and biking: St. Charles, Augusta, Greens Bottom Road, Dutzow,, Marthasville, Weldon Spring, Treloar, Matson, and McKittrick.

Shaw Nature Reserve
5 acre wildflower garden with 14 miles of hiking trails through prairie, wetland and down to Meramec River
Gray Summit

Mastodon State Historic Site
south of St. Louis off I-55, discover Native American Indian artifacts in museum, hiking trails are on premises
Imperial

City Cycling tours
bikes and helmets provided, guided bicycle tours of St. Louis historic areas
St. Louis

Big Creek Conservation Area
5 mile scenic hiking trail through grasslands
Kirksville

Union Ridge Conservation Area
over 8000 acres, hike through prairie, grasslands, forest and savanna, see wildlife
Kirksville

Powder Valley Conservation Nature center
paved hiking trails, one is handicap accessible
Kirkwood

Creve Coeur Park and Lake
6 mile walking and biking trail along 320 acre lake with picnic shelters
Maryland Heights

Columbia Bottom Conservation area
Missouri and Mississippi rivers area, shallow wetlands, prairie and bottomland forest, hiking trails and nature study
St. Louis

St. Louis Riverfront trail
12 miles of paved trails along Mississippi River, scenic views of river
St. Louis

Rockwoods Reservation
picnic areas and hiking trails, 1800 acres of forest with springs and streams
Wildwood

Central Missouri

Katy Trail State Park has 16 access points in Central Missouri. Gain access at Portland, Mokane, Tebbetts, North Jefferson, Hartsburg, McBaine, Rocheport, Boonville, Pilot Grove, Cliton City, Sedalia Depot, Sedalia Fairgrounds, Green Ridge, Windsor, Calhoun and Clinton.

Katy Depot Heritage Site
Access the Katy trail state park next to this site
Ssedalia

Sedalia Heritage Trails
hike or bike through historic town
Sedalia

Pertle Springs Park
Once a mineral springs resort, hiking trails with picnic grounds
Warrensburg

Cosmopolitan Recreation Area
mountain bike course
Columbia

Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area
River wetlands area with hiking and nature study
Columbia

Flatbranch Park
biking paths in downtown park, trailhead to 8.2 mile MKT Trail
Columbia

MKT Nature Trail
biking and walking trail connects to Katy Trail state park
Columbia

Three Creeks Conservation Area
1277 acres with hiking and biking trails, scenic area with streams and bluffs, forests and grasslands
Columbia

Rock Eddy Bluff Farm
hike along the Gasconade River
Dixon

Stinson Creek Hiking Trail
scenic walking trail along limestone bluffs and Stinson Creek
Fulton

Binder Park
hiking and bike trails with playground
Jefferson City

Runge Nature Center
5 inter connected hiking trails, see wildlife, aquarium and nature library
Jefferson City

Washington Park
1 mile hiking and biking trail
Jefferson City

Mark Twain National Forest
forest lands of Ozark highlands with springs, mountains, caves and glades, hiking trails
Rolla

Southeast Missouri

Silver Mine Recreation Area
1 mile scenic hiking trail
Fredericktown

Caster River Conservation Area
20 miles of hiking and biking trais
Marble Hill

Roger Pryor Poneer Backcountry
27 miles of hiking trails

Markam Springs RecreationArea
hiking trails with river access and picnic area
Poplar Bluff

Silver Mines Recreation Area
hiking trails along St. Francis River with picnic areas
Potosi

Old Frisco Railroad Hiking trail
hiking and biking trails
Salem

Sutton Bluff area
hiking trails with scenic views
Salem

Ozark National Scenic Riverways
hiking trails along the Current and Jacks Fork rivers
Van Buren

Southwest Missouri

Hercules Glades Wilderness
12000 acres in Mark Twain National forest with trails
Ava

Lane Spring Recreation Area
south of Rolla, hiking trails along Little Piney River with picnic area
Houston

Wildcat Park
wooded walking trail, cave and natural spings with picnic areas
Joplin

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park
walking and biking trails inside 10000 acre nature park
Lampe

Compton Hollow Conservation Area
hiking trails
Marshfield

Ozark Trailrides
trails, Indian burial grounds, canoe rentals
Mountain Grove

Paddy Creek Wilderness
hiking trails along river with scenic views
Roby

Mark Twain National Forest
1.5 million acres, Ozark highlands, forest, springs, caves, barren glades, hiking trails
Rolla

Busiek State Forest Wildlife area
south of Springfield, 2505 acres of forested lands to explore
Springfield

Ozark Greenways Sac River Trail
mountain biking, moderately rugged trail for hiking too, total of 8 miles of trails
Springfield

Ritter Springs Park
266 acre park with hiking trails, lake, picnic areas, cave and playground
Springfield

Springfield Conservation Nature center
3 milesof hiking trails with self guided exhibits
Springfield