Missouri is full of amazing parks and conservation areas that offer some great little hiking trails. You can find a wide range of dog-friendly, ADA-accessible nature trails that aren’t an all-day adventure. Check out these beautiful trails that tally less than three miles and are considered some of the best hikes in Missouri.
- Engine House Ruins Trail - Elephant Rocks State Park
Fredlyfish4/Wikimedia The Engine House Ruins Trail sits inside Elephant Rocks State Park and is an easy 1.5-mile hike. The trail is paved and is ADA-accessible. Leading to the ruins of a 1902 train engine house, this is one of the best hikes in Missouri. You definitely don’t want to forget your camera, and after you’ve traversed this picturesque path, head over to Elephant Rocks for a bit of exploration. Read more about this trail to historic Missouri ruins in our previous article. Elephant Rocks State Park, 7390, 7406 MO-21, Belleview, MO 63623, USA
- Johnson’s Shut-Ins Sate Park Trail - Lesterville
Keith Yahl/Flickr This trail, located in Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, is a 2.5-mile loop with amazing views. The rocky terrain and series of stairs may get you a bit sweaty, but cool off with a swim in the shut-ins once you finish. The shut-ins are a popular natural waterpark in Missouri, but be prepared for the crowds if you visit on one of the hottest days of the summer. Are you up for hiking two amazing Missouri trails at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park? Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park Campground, Middle Brook, MO 63656, USA
- Klondike Park Trail - Augusta
Matthew/Flickr The Klondike Park Trail is one of the shortest on the list at 1.4 miles. Pass a picturesque lake, and consider a bike ride on the near by Katy Trail when you finish. If you’ve never been to Klondike Park, you’re in for a real treat and, likely, a huge surprise. Did you know that this pretty Missouri park is home to a white sand beach? Yep, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. Unfortunately, you can’t swim in the lake, but you can take a stroll barefoot along the soft sand. Get a peek at this hidden gem in Missouri in our previous article. Klondike Park, 4600 S Missouri 94, Augusta, MO 63332, USA
- Devil’s Icebox Trail - Rockbridge Memorial State Park
All Trails/Mark Brown The Devil’s Icebox Trail is only 2.5 miles with amazing scenery. This trail will lead you over streams and through the woods. It even provides a view of the Devil’s Icebox cave. Unfortunately, tours of the cave are no longer being offered, in an effort to protect the resident bats. The trek is still worth the effort for just a peek at this natural wonder in Missouri. Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, 5901 South Highway 163, Columbia, MO 65203, USA
- Trail Among The Trees - Rockwoods Reservation Conservation Area
Fredlyfish4/Wikimedia Considered one of the best hikes in Missouri, Trail Among the Trees is a short 1.8 mile-loop that’s drenched in natural beauty. The picturesque path scores an easy rating. However, due to some stairs and elevation gains, it is not ADA-accessible. Pups are allowed on the Missouri trail. Learn more about this kid-friendly hike in Missouri in our previous article. Rockwoods Reservation, 2751 Glencoe Rd, Wildwood, MO 63038, USA
- White River Valley Trail - Table Rock State Park
All Trails/Aaron Francisco The White River Valley Trail is a 2.7-mile, dog friendly trail in Table Rock State Park. Enjoy this shaded trail on hot and humid summer day. Table Rock State Park, 5272 Historic Hwy 165, Branson, MO 65616, USA
- Mastodon Park Trail - Imperial
Mastodon State Historic Site/Facebook Mastodon State Historic Site has two separate trails. The wildflower trail is only 0.6 miles and is gravel paved. It’s pretty all year around but to get the full impact, you definitely have to follow this path in the springtime when the flowers are in full bloom. Regardless of which trail you follow, walk where Mastodons roamed over 12,000 years ago! Check out this easy Missouri hike in our previous article. Mastodon Drive, Mastodon Dr, Imperial Township, MO 63052, USA
- Greer Spring Trail - Mark Twain National Forest
Kbh3rd/Wikimedia Visit Mark Twain National Forest to find Greer Springs Trail. This 1.8-mile trail features Missouri’s second largest spring. It produces more than 222 million gallons of water each day. The path is dotted with picturesque footbridges and educational placards. Will you hike the trail to this beautiful Missouri spring? Mark Twain National Forest, Birch Tree Township, MO 65438, USA
- Powder Valley Nature Center Trail - St. Louis
stannate/Flickr Powder Valley Nature Center Trail is a paved 2.4-mile loop. On quiet days visitors can spot wildlife - from deer to turkey - without having to go outside of the St. Louis metro area. Carve out time to visit the indoor area of the nature center, which is home to an aquarium, a beehive, and more. Find out why this Missouri nature center is heaven on earth. Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, 11715 Cragwold Rd, Kirkwood, MO 63122, USA
- Graham Cave Loop - Montgomery City
Kbh3rd/Flickr Graham Cave Loop is 2.7 miles long and provides access to Graham Cave. Most of this area was inhabited by American Indians and remains virtually untouched by modern civilization. Read more about Graham Cave in our previous article. Graham Cave State Park, 217 State Hwy TT, Danville, MO 63361, USA
Whether you’re new to hiking or a seasoned veteran these trails are worth the trip. Do you agree that these are some of the best hikes in Missouri? Let us know in the comments! Next time you’re up for more adventure, plan a visit to this gorgeous Missouri spring.
Fredlyfish4/Wikimedia
The Engine House Ruins Trail sits inside Elephant Rocks State Park and is an easy 1.5-mile hike. The trail is paved and is ADA-accessible. Leading to the ruins of a 1902 train engine house, this is one of the best hikes in Missouri. You definitely don’t want to forget your camera, and after you’ve traversed this picturesque path, head over to Elephant Rocks for a bit of exploration. Read more about this trail to historic Missouri ruins in our previous article.
Elephant Rocks State Park, 7390, 7406 MO-21, Belleview, MO 63623, USA
Keith Yahl/Flickr
This trail, located in Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, is a 2.5-mile loop with amazing views. The rocky terrain and series of stairs may get you a bit sweaty, but cool off with a swim in the shut-ins once you finish. The shut-ins are a popular natural waterpark in Missouri, but be prepared for the crowds if you visit on one of the hottest days of the summer. Are you up for hiking two amazing Missouri trails at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park?
Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park Campground, Middle Brook, MO 63656, USA
Matthew/Flickr
The Klondike Park Trail is one of the shortest on the list at 1.4 miles. Pass a picturesque lake, and consider a bike ride on the near by Katy Trail when you finish. If you’ve never been to Klondike Park, you’re in for a real treat and, likely, a huge surprise. Did you know that this pretty Missouri park is home to a white sand beach? Yep, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. Unfortunately, you can’t swim in the lake, but you can take a stroll barefoot along the soft sand. Get a peek at this hidden gem in Missouri in our previous article.
Klondike Park, 4600 S Missouri 94, Augusta, MO 63332, USA
All Trails/Mark Brown
The Devil’s Icebox Trail is only 2.5 miles with amazing scenery. This trail will lead you over streams and through the woods. It even provides a view of the Devil’s Icebox cave. Unfortunately, tours of the cave are no longer being offered, in an effort to protect the resident bats. The trek is still worth the effort for just a peek at this natural wonder in Missouri.
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, 5901 South Highway 163, Columbia, MO 65203, USA
Fredlyfish4/Wikimedia
Considered one of the best hikes in Missouri, Trail Among the Trees is a short 1.8 mile-loop that’s drenched in natural beauty. The picturesque path scores an easy rating. However, due to some stairs and elevation gains, it is not ADA-accessible. Pups are allowed on the Missouri trail. Learn more about this kid-friendly hike in Missouri in our previous article.
Rockwoods Reservation, 2751 Glencoe Rd, Wildwood, MO 63038, USA
All Trails/Aaron Francisco
The White River Valley Trail is a 2.7-mile, dog friendly trail in Table Rock State Park. Enjoy this shaded trail on hot and humid summer day.
Table Rock State Park, 5272 Historic Hwy 165, Branson, MO 65616, USA
Mastodon State Historic Site/Facebook
Mastodon State Historic Site has two separate trails. The wildflower trail is only 0.6 miles and is gravel paved. It’s pretty all year around but to get the full impact, you definitely have to follow this path in the springtime when the flowers are in full bloom. Regardless of which trail you follow, walk where Mastodons roamed over 12,000 years ago! Check out this easy Missouri hike in our previous article.
Mastodon Drive, Mastodon Dr, Imperial Township, MO 63052, USA
Kbh3rd/Wikimedia
Visit Mark Twain National Forest to find Greer Springs Trail. This 1.8-mile trail features Missouri’s second largest spring. It produces more than 222 million gallons of water each day. The path is dotted with picturesque footbridges and educational placards. Will you hike the trail to this beautiful Missouri spring?
Mark Twain National Forest, Birch Tree Township, MO 65438, USA
stannate/Flickr
Powder Valley Nature Center Trail is a paved 2.4-mile loop. On quiet days visitors can spot wildlife - from deer to turkey - without having to go outside of the St. Louis metro area. Carve out time to visit the indoor area of the nature center, which is home to an aquarium, a beehive, and more. Find out why this Missouri nature center is heaven on earth.
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, 11715 Cragwold Rd, Kirkwood, MO 63122, USA
Kbh3rd/Flickr
Graham Cave Loop is 2.7 miles long and provides access to Graham Cave. Most of this area was inhabited by American Indians and remains virtually untouched by modern civilization. Read more about Graham Cave in our previous article.
Graham Cave State Park, 217 State Hwy TT, Danville, MO 63361, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Missouri August 11, 2022 Beth Price-Williams What are some easy hikes in Missouri? Some of the best hikes in Missouri are also the easiest. The one-mile Cave Spring Trail in Kansas City, for example, is a kid-friendly hike in Missouri that promises a ton of fun for kiddos (and adults!) of all ages, and it includes some fascinating stone structures. At less than a mile, the Old Kate Trail at Parkville Nature Sanctuary is perhaps best known for its gorgeous waterfall. If you love animals, you can’t go wrong with a trek along the three-mile Drover’s Trail, which meanders through Prairie State Park and offers up-close views of the resident wild buffalo. (Take your camera, and remember not to get too close!)
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Missouri
August 11, 2022
Beth Price-Williams
What are some easy hikes in Missouri? Some of the best hikes in Missouri are also the easiest. The one-mile Cave Spring Trail in Kansas City, for example, is a kid-friendly hike in Missouri that promises a ton of fun for kiddos (and adults!) of all ages, and it includes some fascinating stone structures. At less than a mile, the Old Kate Trail at Parkville Nature Sanctuary is perhaps best known for its gorgeous waterfall. If you love animals, you can’t go wrong with a trek along the three-mile Drover’s Trail, which meanders through Prairie State Park and offers up-close views of the resident wild buffalo. (Take your camera, and remember not to get too close!)
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Some of the best hikes in Missouri are also the easiest. The one-mile Cave Spring Trail in Kansas City, for example, is a kid-friendly hike in Missouri that promises a ton of fun for kiddos (and adults!) of all ages, and it includes some fascinating stone structures. At less than a mile, the Old Kate Trail at Parkville Nature Sanctuary is perhaps best known for its gorgeous waterfall. If you love animals, you can’t go wrong with a trek along the three-mile Drover’s Trail, which meanders through Prairie State Park and offers up-close views of the resident wild buffalo. (Take your camera, and remember not to get too close!)
