Biking and Hiking Trails

Missouri is blessed with many types of terrain, from savannahs and prairies to rugged hills and lowland marshes. Each provides a unique outdoor experience for bicyclists and hikers of all ages. Trail enthusiasts will find a wide range of surfaces to accommodate all interests and abilities, from the primitive trails of the Irish Wilderness in the Mark Twain National Forest to the self-guided Braille trail in Elephant Rocks State Park. Interpretive trails are also plentiful, offering both recreational and educational opportunities.

One of our most well-known trails is Missouri’s longest (and skinniest) state park, Katy Trail State Park. One of the country’s first rails-to-trails conversions, the Katy Trail follows along the former tracks of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad through the Missouri River valley from St. Charles to Clinton. Much of the hard-packed gravel trail runs alongside the Missouri River, providing welcome breezes and terrific views, as well as the opportunity to view Missouri’s wildlife up close. Numerous stops along the trail provide access to charming rural towns, where neighborhood cafes and antique shops welcome you to relax and enjoy a taste of the local community.

Few hikers can resist the challenge or beauty of the rugged Ozark terrain in the central and southern regions of the state. Hikers reaching the summit of a rocky bluff are rewarded with fantastic views of mature forests, sparkling spring-fed rivers and rolling countryside. Each season offers a changing landscape and new wonders to explore, whether it’s the chattering of birds and new growth in the spring, the rustle of leaves swirling to the ground in autumn or the crisp air of the quiet woods after a fresh snow. The Ozark Trail offers adventurers more than 300 miles stretching from St. Louis through southeast Missouri to the Arkansas border. Many other hiking trails are available in Missouri’s abundant Conservation Areas.

Missouri trails accommodate visitors looking for an afternoon or daylong excursion as well as those seeking a multiple-day experience. Search the links below to begin planning your next Missouri outdoor trail adventure.

Missouri Department of Conservation Trails

Missouri State Parks

Katy Trail State Park

Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Program - Road and Route Information

Missouri Bicycle Federation

Mark Twain National Forest Trails

Ozark Greenways

Frisco Highline Trail

Ozark Trail

Southeast Missouri Regional Trails

Trailnet - St. Louis Area Trails

Mississippi River Trail