Hidden in all corners of Missouri are enchanting spots that will remind you of an old-fashioned fairy tale. These six charming hikes in Missouri all lead to picturesque footbridges, the kind you might see in one of those storybooks. Each of the hikes, arguably some of the best hikes in Missouri, is rated easy or moderate, making it appropriate for the whole family.
- Heels Path and Prairie Boardwalk – St. Louis
All Trails/Bill Keaggy For a leisurely and an easy trail that features a restored Victorian footbridge, follow the one-mile Heels Path and Prairie Boardwalk Trail in St. Louis’ Forest Park. The trail offers a ton of natural features – from a flowing creek to wildflowers – and is picture-perfect at any time of the year. View a trail map of Heels Path and Prairie Boardwalk on All Trails.
- Shut-In Trail – Patterson
All Trails/Makawan Karim If you’re yearning for a bit of a challenge, follow the Shut-In Trail, tucked in Sam A. Baker State Park. While the trail is rated moderate, it’s also easy enough for families with kids. The trail clocks in at just under two miles and features a footbridge, a waterfall, and wooden stairs. Learn more about the Shut-In Trail.
- Skunk Hollow Loop Trail – Cameron
All Trails/Lady Arcane Tallying just under 1.5 miles, Skunk Hollow Loop Trail will take you across several quaint footbridges. The trail in Wallace State Park is rated easy. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a small waterfall that only flows when the park’s stream is particularly powerful. Get more details on Skunk Hollow Loop Trail.
- Turner Lake and Ziskie Lake – Salem
All Trails/Doug Niedholdt For a picturesque hike, make your way to Shawnee Mac Lakes Conservation Area. There, you’ll find the 2.2-mile Turner Lake and Ziskie Lake Trail, which is considered easy. Keep an eye out for local wildlife, including owls, on the trail that also features a footbridge. Find more information on the Turner Lake and Ziskie Lake Trail.
- Bridge Trail – Lebanon
All Trails/Conway Hawn No matter what season you hike the Bridge Trail, you’ll discover it’s simply beautiful, particularly the footbridge. Nestled in Bennett Spring State Park, Bridge Trail spans 1.3 miles and is considered easy. The tree-lined trail is popular with both families with kids and with dogs. Learn more about the Bridge Trail.
- Bootleg Access Trail – Potosi
All Trails/Mike Koziatek If you’re near Mark Twain National Forest, you’ll definitely want to hike the Bootleg Access Trail. At just 1.7 miles, the trail is rated moderate, although it’s worth the effort. You’ll pass colorful wildflowers, several overlooks, and a charming footbridge in the middle of the woods. Find more information on Bootleg Access Trail.
Do you know of any other enchanting hikes in Missouri that lead to fairytale footbridges? What do you think are the best hikes in Missouri? Let us know in the comments! For more adventure, check out the 10 best hiking trails in Missouri.
All Trails/Bill Keaggy
For a leisurely and an easy trail that features a restored Victorian footbridge, follow the one-mile Heels Path and Prairie Boardwalk Trail in St. Louis’ Forest Park. The trail offers a ton of natural features – from a flowing creek to wildflowers – and is picture-perfect at any time of the year. View a trail map of Heels Path and Prairie Boardwalk on All Trails.
All Trails/Makawan Karim
If you’re yearning for a bit of a challenge, follow the Shut-In Trail, tucked in Sam A. Baker State Park. While the trail is rated moderate, it’s also easy enough for families with kids. The trail clocks in at just under two miles and features a footbridge, a waterfall, and wooden stairs. Learn more about the Shut-In Trail.
All Trails/Lady Arcane
Tallying just under 1.5 miles, Skunk Hollow Loop Trail will take you across several quaint footbridges. The trail in Wallace State Park is rated easy. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a small waterfall that only flows when the park’s stream is particularly powerful. Get more details on Skunk Hollow Loop Trail.
All Trails/Doug Niedholdt
For a picturesque hike, make your way to Shawnee Mac Lakes Conservation Area. There, you’ll find the 2.2-mile Turner Lake and Ziskie Lake Trail, which is considered easy. Keep an eye out for local wildlife, including owls, on the trail that also features a footbridge. Find more information on the Turner Lake and Ziskie Lake Trail.
All Trails/Conway Hawn
No matter what season you hike the Bridge Trail, you’ll discover it’s simply beautiful, particularly the footbridge. Nestled in Bennett Spring State Park, Bridge Trail spans 1.3 miles and is considered easy. The tree-lined trail is popular with both families with kids and with dogs. Learn more about the Bridge Trail.
All Trails/Mike Koziatek
If you’re near Mark Twain National Forest, you’ll definitely want to hike the Bootleg Access Trail. At just 1.7 miles, the trail is rated moderate, although it’s worth the effort. You’ll pass colorful wildflowers, several overlooks, and a charming footbridge in the middle of the woods. Find more information on Bootleg Access Trail.
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Address: Forest Park, 5595 Grand Dr, St. Louis, MO 63112, USAAddress: Sam A. Baker State Park, 5580 MO-143, Patterson, MO 63956, USAAddress: Wallace State Park, 10621 MO-121, Cameron, MO 64429, USAAddress: Salem, MO 65560, USAAddress: Bennett Spring State Park, 26250 MO-64A, Lebanon, MO 65536, USAAddress: Mark Twain National Forest, 401 Fairgrounds Rd, Rolla, MO 65401, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Missouri April 07, 2022 Beth Price-Williams How do I find the best hiking trails near me? Finding the best hiking trails near you is as easy as visiting Only In Missouri, like you’re doing right now. After all, our beloved state is brimming with hiking trails – more than 1,100, in fact. Hiking is the perfect activity, whether you’re heading out solo or with family or friends, in all four seasons. One of the best hiking trails in Missouri, if you love gorgeous white sand, is the Klondike Park Trail. Short and sweet, the scenic trail spans 1.7 miles, and you’ll get to see the park’s gorgeous white sand beach. The River Scene Trail Loop meanders through Castlewood State Park and offers some of the best views you’ll find of Meramec River. For the most breathtaking views, follow the trail during the peak of the fall foliage. The Coy Bald Trail is perfect if you’re seeking solitude among nature. Traveling 6.7 miles through the Hercules Glade Wilderness Area, the scenic trail is drenched in natural beauty, featuring streams, waterfalls, and lush forested area. Are there any easy hikes in Missouri? Missouri offers hiking trails for hikers of all skill levels. If you’re looking for a challenge, you’ll certainly find it and, if you prefer an easy hike, you’ll find a ton of ‘em in Missouri. One of the easiest hikes in Missouri, in fact, is Trail Through Time in Ste. Genevieve. The trail wanders just under two miles through Pickle Springs Natural Area and will give you an up-close view of gorgeous natural boulders. The Cave Spring Trail at William Klein Park in Kansas City measures just a mile and is perhaps best known for its beautiful stone structures. If you’re in the mood for chasing waterfalls, you can’t go wrong on the .09-mile Old Kate Trail at Parkville Nature Sanctuary. View grazing bison at Prairie State Park in Mindenmines. The three-mile Drover’s Trail is brimming with pure natural beauty.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Missouri
April 07, 2022
Beth Price-Williams
How do I find the best hiking trails near me? Finding the best hiking trails near you is as easy as visiting Only In Missouri, like you’re doing right now. After all, our beloved state is brimming with hiking trails – more than 1,100, in fact. Hiking is the perfect activity, whether you’re heading out solo or with family or friends, in all four seasons. One of the best hiking trails in Missouri, if you love gorgeous white sand, is the Klondike Park Trail. Short and sweet, the scenic trail spans 1.7 miles, and you’ll get to see the park’s gorgeous white sand beach. The River Scene Trail Loop meanders through Castlewood State Park and offers some of the best views you’ll find of Meramec River. For the most breathtaking views, follow the trail during the peak of the fall foliage. The Coy Bald Trail is perfect if you’re seeking solitude among nature. Traveling 6.7 miles through the Hercules Glade Wilderness Area, the scenic trail is drenched in natural beauty, featuring streams, waterfalls, and lush forested area. Are there any easy hikes in Missouri? Missouri offers hiking trails for hikers of all skill levels. If you’re looking for a challenge, you’ll certainly find it and, if you prefer an easy hike, you’ll find a ton of ‘em in Missouri. One of the easiest hikes in Missouri, in fact, is Trail Through Time in Ste. Genevieve. The trail wanders just under two miles through Pickle Springs Natural Area and will give you an up-close view of gorgeous natural boulders. The Cave Spring Trail at William Klein Park in Kansas City measures just a mile and is perhaps best known for its beautiful stone structures. If you’re in the mood for chasing waterfalls, you can’t go wrong on the .09-mile Old Kate Trail at Parkville Nature Sanctuary. View grazing bison at Prairie State Park in Mindenmines. The three-mile Drover’s Trail is brimming with pure natural beauty.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Finding the best hiking trails near you is as easy as visiting Only In Missouri, like you’re doing right now. After all, our beloved state is brimming with hiking trails – more than 1,100, in fact. Hiking is the perfect activity, whether you’re heading out solo or with family or friends, in all four seasons. One of the best hiking trails in Missouri, if you love gorgeous white sand, is the Klondike Park Trail. Short and sweet, the scenic trail spans 1.7 miles, and you’ll get to see the park’s gorgeous white sand beach. The River Scene Trail Loop meanders through Castlewood State Park and offers some of the best views you’ll find of Meramec River. For the most breathtaking views, follow the trail during the peak of the fall foliage. The Coy Bald Trail is perfect if you’re seeking solitude among nature. Traveling 6.7 miles through the Hercules Glade Wilderness Area, the scenic trail is drenched in natural beauty, featuring streams, waterfalls, and lush forested area.
Are there any easy hikes in Missouri?
Missouri offers hiking trails for hikers of all skill levels. If you’re looking for a challenge, you’ll certainly find it and, if you prefer an easy hike, you’ll find a ton of ‘em in Missouri. One of the easiest hikes in Missouri, in fact, is Trail Through Time in Ste. Genevieve. The trail wanders just under two miles through Pickle Springs Natural Area and will give you an up-close view of gorgeous natural boulders. The Cave Spring Trail at William Klein Park in Kansas City measures just a mile and is perhaps best known for its beautiful stone structures. If you’re in the mood for chasing waterfalls, you can’t go wrong on the .09-mile Old Kate Trail at Parkville Nature Sanctuary. View grazing bison at Prairie State Park in Mindenmines. The three-mile Drover’s Trail is brimming with pure natural beauty.
