Park Trails

Hickory Ridge Trail

This trail is a loop, but you can use just a portion of it because of its length and intersections with other trails. Parts of the trail are a natural surface, some are rocky. Portions are steep, while others are level. Some sections will take users through a typical hardwood forest, while others go through beautiful pine growths. White connector trails 1 and 2 allow you to shorten or lengthen your route. Campers in Campground 2 have access to this trail from the basic loop and the electric loop.

Lakeview Trail

The majority of this trail is natural surface, but a short section along Monsanto Lake is paved. Portions of the trail along the lake follow the contours with a few rolling hills. Other portions of the trail are somewhat steep with loose gravel.

Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Riding Area

This area is about 2,000 acres, 800 of those with a surface of tailings, which is a crushed limestone referred to as “sand flats.”  The remaining area is wooded hillsides. Motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), four-wheel-drive vehicles, dune buggies, side-by-side vehicles and snow mobiles are permitted to use the area. A daily $5 ride permit  can be purchased at the park office.

Specific safety gear is required, including DOT-approved helmets for all users except those driving or riding in a fully enclosed metal cab. Flags are required for any vehicle with three or more wheels. There is a list of regulations.

Only motorcycles, ATVs and side by sides are permitted to use the trails in the woods.  The other larger vehicles are restricted to the “sand flats,” which have a vegetated desert-like appearance. The drier the tailings, the more difficult it is to maneuver vehicles. It is easier to maneuver vehicles on the tailings if they are slightly firm with moisture. The wet tailings can be misleading; if you get stuck, the tailings seem to take on a quicksand-like characteristic.

Most of the wooded trails are identified with a three digit numbering system.  The “100” trail circumvents the entire riding area. The wooded trails vary in difficulty, from a relatively flat earthen type surface to steep, rocky, eroded slopes.  

Trailhead amenities include loading ramps, vault toilets, a change house, picnic tables, barbecue grills, water hydrants, a drinking fountain, a shower tower, three first-come, first-served picnic shelters and an ORV Rinse Station.

Off-Road Vehicle Riding Rules

Paved Bicycle Trail

This paved trail can be accessed from five trailheads. Blankshire and Harris Branch trailheads are located along the main 11-mile loop. Both offer access to the 3.75-mile section of wheelchair accessible trail. If starting at and returning to Pim Day-Use Area, you can expect a total trip of 12.5 miles. From Missouri Mines State Historic Site, the total round trip will be 12.25 miles. Farmington Trailhead is just outside the southeast property boundary of the park and offers a total round trip of 14.5 miles. 

On this trail, you will experience a wide variety of plant and animal life as well as glimpses of the park’s Off-Road Vehicle Riding Area.  Certain sections of this trail have inclines greater than 10 percent, while other sections have drop-offs close to the edge.

Pine Ridge Trail

Parts of this trail are natural surfaces and sections are rocky. Portions are relatively steep with other sections level. Some sections will take you through a typical hardwood forest, while others go through beautiful pine growths. The trail crosses a stream in a few places. During dry weather; the stream may not have water in it.

The amenities at the Equestrian Staging Area include a paved parking lot to accommodate large rigs, picnic tables, barbecue grills, a vault toilet, hitching posts, trash cans and a recycling can. Campers in Campground 2 have access from the basic loop and the electric loop. This trail is a loop, but you can use just a portion of it because of its length and intersections with other trails.