DNR
Home PageTrails featured during September 2007
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Map | Key | State Park/State Historic Site | Trail Name | Total Miles |
25 26 27 28 29 30 |
KC NE C SL L SE |
Weston Bend SP Thousand Hills SP Katy Trail SP Babler SP Table Rock SP Sam A. Baker SP |
North Ridge Trail Craig's Cove Loop Trail North Jefferson Trailhead Dogwood Trail Shoreline Trail * Shut-Ins Trail |
2.0 3.0 1.0 2.0 4.4 3.0 |
 Click on this symbol next to a trail name to view comments from hikers of that trail. |
25. Kansas City Region - Weston Bend State Park - North Ridge Trail -- 2 total miles (loop)
Trailhead: At the end of the park road
The trail follows the c. 1900 roadbed that once led from the farm (where you park to access the trail) to the barn and eventually Weston. The trail now takes you to the top of the loess bluffs offering a panoramic view of the Weston bend in the Missouri River. A French Canadian trading house operated in this area c.1830.
Hikers can expect to encounter rocks and roots in the trail surface; steep hills; overhanging vegetation (tree canopy); bluffs next to the trail; and various wildlife, insects and plants.
26. Northeast Region - Thousand Hills State Park - Craig's Cove Loop Trail -- 3 total miles (loop)
Trailhead: Same as Thousand Hills Trail; look for signs
Craig’s Cove Loop, the shortest of the park's three trails, is a three-mile loop trail located on the west side of Forest Lake. This trail is suited perfectly for beginners and average riders.
Hikers can expect to encounter rocks and roots in the trail surface; steep hills; unstable surfaces when wet; possible natural occurrences; overhanging vegetation (tree canopy); shared use of the trail with bicyclists; and various wildlife, insects and plants.
27. Central Region - Katy Trail State Park - North Jefferson Trailhead -- 1 total mile (there and back)
Trailhead: North Jefferson Trailhead; head west toward Hartsburg
Although Katy Trail State Park is much longer, you will only need to walk one mile to qualify. Begin your journey by reading the information panels at the trailhead that explain some of the natural and cultural resources of the area. Nearby is the plaque commemorating the official completion of Katy Trail State Park from St. Charles to Sedalia in 1996. Also note the wayside exhibit on the flood of 1993 and its impact on the trail and the area. As you walk, you will notice the rich farmlands along the trail and the bluffs up ahead of you. If you look back toward Jefferson City, you will have nice views of the State Capitol.
Hikers can expect to encounter stable surfaces; shared use of the trail with bicyclists; and various wildlife, insects and plants.
28. St. Louis Region - Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park - Dogwood Trail -- 2 total miles (loop)
Trailhead: On Guy Park Drive, next to playground and old nature center
This is probably the most strenuous of the park's four trails. It rises and falls several times over the maximum altitude change in the park, about 300 feet. The trailhead serves both Dogwood and Woodbine trails and the two trails can easily be combined for a longer hike. Chert, a flintlike rock, is exposed in some of the slopes of dry ridges on this trail. The trail also leads you through moist, green valleys in the low sections of the trail and heavily wooded sections on the northeast side of the trail. At the highest point, the trail passes a stone picnic shelter and restroom, remnants of the work done by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) when the Great Depression-spawned group used the park as a camp in the 1930s.
Hikers can expect to encounter rocks and roots in the trial surface; steep hills; wooden steps; bridges; shared use of the trail with horses in some areas; natural occurrences-downed trees; overhanging vegetation (tree canopy); and various wildlife, insects and plants.
29. Lakes Region - Table Rock State Park - Shoreline Trail -- 4.4 total miles (there and back) *also Accessible Trail of the Month
Trailhead: In the picnic area
This multi-use trail travels more than 2.2 miles along the shoreline of Table Rock Lake. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Herschend Family Entertainment Corp. partnered in this effort to connect the Dewey Short Visitor Center, the Showboat Branson Belle and Table Rock State Park. The trail is open from dawn to dusk and its 8-foot width and asphalt surface accommodate foot traffic, motorized wheelchairs, bicycles, skateboards and scooters.
Hikers can expect to encounter stable surfaces-paved; a bridge; possible natural occurrences; overhanging vegetation (tree canopy); shared use of the trail with bicycles, skateboards, scooters and wheelchair; and various wildlife, insects and plants.
30. Southeast Region - Sam A. Baker State Park - Shut-Ins Trail -- 3 total miles (loop)
Trailhead: Across Hwy. 143 from the dining lodge
This trail starts on Mudlick Trail and takes visitors gradually uphill through oak and hickory forests. A small stone shelter built by the Civilian Conservation Corps on a scenic bluff offers a spectacular vista of Big Creek canyon. Hikers descend down a series of switchbacks, passing glade openings and rocky canyons. Once at the bottom, hikers can stop off at the Big Creek shut-ins, located only a short distance from the trail. The trail leads through the floodplain of Big Creek along the base of Mudlick Mountain and showcases majestic sweet gums, sycamores and cottonwoods along with the unique yellowwood tree.
Hikers can expect to encounter rocks and roots in the trail surface; wooden steps; stable surfaces; possible natural occurrences; bluffs next to the trail; overhanging vegetation (tree canopy); and various wildlife, insects and plants.
