DNR
Home PageTrails featured during May 2007
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Map | Key | State Park/State Historic Site | Trail Name | Total Miles |
1 2 3 4 5 6 |
KC NE C SL L SE |
Weston Bend SP |
Hiking/Bicycling Trail River Forks Trail Sinkhole Trail River Scene Trail Lake View Bend Trail Braille Trail * |
3.0 2.0 1.5 3.0 1.5 1.0 |
 Click on this symbol next to a trail name to view comments from hikers of that trail. |
1. Kansas City Region - Weston Bend State Park - Hiking/Bicycling Trail -- 3 total miles (loop)
Trailhead: On left past contact station
This three-mile asphalt trail winds up and down the loess hills that dominate Weston Bend State Park. The trail crosses a creek twice and intersects with Harpst Trail at the yellow bench and white bench. Stenciled on the trail are mile markers to assist walkers wishing to increase their distance and time. Hikers may walk in either direction. Bicyclists must keep to the right.
Hikers can expect to encounter short steep hills; stable surfaces; shared use of trail with bicyclists; a bridge; overhanging vegetation (tree canopy); and various wildlife, insects and plants.
2. Northeast Region - Crowder State Park - River Forks Trail -- 2 total miles (loop)
Trailhead: Beach parking lot
This loop trail begins at the beach parking lot and is marked with blue blazes. Hikers and bicyclists will travel the rugged, hilly terrain through a woodland on loess/glacial till soils dominated by white oak and shagbark hickory. In the spring, the ground is carpeted with wildflowers and ferns from valley floor to ridgetop. The Thompson River is briefly visible from the trail’s farthest point.
Hikers can expect to encounter steep hills; rocks and roots in trail surface; stairs; stable surfaces; shared use of trail with bicyclists; possible natural occurrences; overhanging (tree canopy); and various wildlife, insects and plants.
3. Central Region - Rock Bridge Memorial State Park - Sinkhole Trail -- 1.5 total miles (loop)
Trailhead: Devil's Icebox parking lot
Sinkhole Trail follows an old road through the historic site of Pierpont and continues up a forested valley to a ridge top of old fields dotted with sinkholes. A spur connects with the Grassland Trail parking lot, while a connector route shortens the loop. The base of one sinkhole is gated to prevent someone from falling into a 30-foot-deep pit known as Hog’s Graveyard Cave. Sinkhole Trail is signed with green arrows.
Hikers can expect to encounter rocks and roots in trail surface; steep hills, with two being rather steep; shared use of trail with bicyclists; unstable surfaces; possible natural occurrences; overhanging vegetation (tree canopy); and various wildlife, insects and plants.
4. St. Louis Region - Castlewood State Park - River Scene Trail -- 3 total miles (loop)
Trailhead: Off Keifer Creek Road; look for trailhead sign in parking lot
This three-mile loop is the most spectacular trail in the park and highlights the park’s most memorable features. The trail climbs to and then traverses a series of bluffs overlooking the Meramec River. It then goes down a long wooden staircase that takes you from the top of the bluffs to the valley below. From there, the trail provides an up-close look at the river and the bottomland surrounding it. Along the way, you will pass panoramic vistas, remnants of the historic resort era and floodplain forest.
Hikers can expect to encounter a steep hill; wooden steps; bluffs next to the trail; an area with an unstable surface; possible natural occurrences; and various wildlife, insects and plants.
5. Lakes Region - Lake of the Ozarks State Park - Lake View Bend Trail -- 1.5 total miles (loop)
Trailhead: Campground gatehouse
This 1.5-mile hiking trail, marked with blue arrows and blazes, begins at the campground gatehouse with entries into campgrounds 3 and 4. The first portion of the loop passes along the base of steep cliffs near the lake and offers the best views of the water. Despite the rockiness of the soil, in the springtime a wealth of wildflower species decorates the ground here. Through the trees, hikers may catch a glimpse of a great blue heron fishing, ducks feeding near the shore, or lizards darting along the trail's edge. If you wish to make your hike longer, this trail also connects to Fawn’s Ridge Trail near the gatehouse. This trail has moderate terrain.
Hikers can expect to encounter rocks and roots in trail surface; steep hills; wooden steps; unstable surfaces; a bridge; overhanging vegetation (tree canopy); possible natural occurrences; and various wildlife, insects and plants.
6. Southeast Region - Elephant Rocks State Park - Braille Trail -- 1 total mile (loop) * also Accessible Trail of the Month
Trailhead: Off parking lot
Elephant Rocks Natural Area can be easily viewed from the one-mile, paved Braille Trail. Designed especially for people with visual or physical disabilities, Braille Trail is the first of its kind in Missouri state parks. The trail passes by a quarry pond, which now supports a variety of animal life. A short spur off of the trail takes visitors to the top of the granite outcrop, where they can explore the maze of giant elephant rocks. A second spur brings visitors to a point overlooking an old quarry site. The asphalt trail features interpretive signage.
Hikers can expect to encounter stable surfaces; and various wildlife, insects and plants.
