Explore the best rated trails in Bolivar, MO, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Ward Branch Greenway and South Creek Greenway . With more than 10 trails covering 72 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We started in Bolivar, MO and rode south to Walnut Grove, where we rested, had some lunch and rode back to Bolivar. A very pleasant out and back, 45.5 miles roundtrip. The trail is paved in Bolivar, but once leaving town and crossing the highway, and restarting the trail just off Hwy 13, it's all gravel and some spots have been repaired so can have deep gravel and some sand. There are many bridges in this section to cross and a nice canopy so very shady. It's, the jarring on the gravel that makes it a difficult and slow going ride. Walnut Grove TH has zero amenities, so we rode the short distance into town and found a gas/food stop with potties, pizza, ice cream and nice folks to chat with. We returned to the WG TH and rode back to the very beginning of the trail in Bolivar and called it a day.
Day 2 we drove to WG TH, parked, and rode south to Willard towards Springfield. This had more open space, not as much canopy and a very nice TH in Willard with potties, food and the small town of Willard with lots of amenities. This was a 21.5 mile out and back.
We did not ride all the way into northern Springfield as we heard conflicting information of the trail not being safe with homeless and robberies. So instead of continuing past Willard on the asphalt part of the trail, we returned to WG TH and again had some lunch at the same stop as the day before in Walnut Grove. All in all, we had a nice time on the trail, saw very few other cyclists, heard and saw lots of birds and had a lovely ride. This was done over 2 days in early Sept 2024, so not a busy trail.
We would not recommend road bikes, you need good wide tires to tackle the gravel and the sand. Overall the trail is in good maintenance and a nice trail to ride.
Rode the 16 mile section from Springfield to Walnut Grove on hybrid bikes. The first 8 miles on 10 ft wide asphalt in decent shape through woodlands. Adjacent to road and past light industrial areas but buffered by vegetation. Next 8 miles on packed gravel through meadows and farmland.
We found no way to connect with another trail and a narrow bridge (2 lane car bridge without and bike lane or walkway) crosses the river. Nicely surfaced path rides alongside the river.
Nice trail for a short bike ride, good asphalt or concrete surfaces, wide enough to pass walkers. Trail appeared to have ways to connect easily with other trails.
Great trail. I started at lost hill trailhead and went west. There were even 2 port-a-John’s there. The trail was either blacktop or cement at least 7’ wide. Mileage markets every tenth of a mile. Very enjoyable, and well groomed. Great discovery near my hotel!
If you are heading south on the trail from Bolivar when you pass 120 rd about a Quater mile 2 dogs will attack you. I will not ride that way again. Its safer on 13 highway
Started in Springfield. Rode 12.5 miles before turning around. Well maintained trail. First 8 miles paved then gravel. Trail mostly lush and shaded. Several places to eat along the paved path.
Parked at Taj's trailhead. Started up the hill going north. At the top of the hill there is a gate with a large padlock on it. I could go no further unless I were to lift my bicycle over the gate.
We parked at Tal's Trailhead and went North. There were some challenging hills as the path wandered through open pasture and forest. We followed the map from TrailLink and missed the path twice which kind of screwed up our mileage goal! We stopped at Rutledge Wilson's Farm Park...what a treat! Don't pass this stop up. A working farm with opportunity to interact with the goats, mini-ponies and sheep. We started back to ride the South Creek Greenway and realized the beginning of that trail was at the top of a large hill and a bit of the path is on a very busy road. We watched a cyclist navigate the traffic and decided to call it quits! Always enjoy riding new trails and this experience would have been better with trail markings.
I started at Pershing school and walked in one mile. The trail was fantastic ( I am used to my gravel on where I live); and had mile markers on the asphalt every .2 miles. Asphalt all the way I walked and mostly shaded; lots of trees, simply a beautiful experience!
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