Park Trails

Nyblad Trail

This trail has a natural surface with a gentle terrain that is easy to hike. When rainfall has been plentiful, there are two small creek crossings that may contain water. Traveling along the shoreline of the Little Sac arm of Stockton Lake, you will be hiking through secondary forest including elm, hickory and oaks. In the spring, look for blooming redbud and dogwood trees. In the fall and winter, squirrels, deer and wild turkey feed on acorns and hickory nuts along the trail. While walking on the trail, you will be treated to views of the lake. Watch for birds that feed or live near water, including great blue herons, barred owls, ospreys and eagles.

The trail runs between the East and West campgrounds. It does not make a complete loop, so you will need to walk back along the trail or walk a half mile along the campground road to your vehicle.  The park amphitheater is on the trail near the East Campground. 

Umber Ridge Trail

The trail has a natural surface with a gentle terrain that is easy to hike.  This area is typical of the western Ozarks where the prairie meets the woodlands.  The trail travels along a west-facing slope offering several vistas of Stockton Lake then turns and travels along open white oak woodlands on an east-facing slope.  While on the trail,  you will walk through open woodlands including large oaks and hickory trees.  In the spring,  look for redbud and dogwood trees and trilliums blooming.   In the fall and winter, watch for squirrels, white-tailed deer and wild turkey feeding on acorns and hickory nuts along the trail.  While walking on the trail, you will be treated with views of the clear waters of Stockton lake; watch for birds that feed or live near water, including great blue herons, barred owls, osprey and bald eagles.