Explore the best rated trails in Bolivar, MO. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Trail of Tears Greenway and Ward Branch Greenway. With more than 10 trails covering 70 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.
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.
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!
Cute little trail with a water hazard. We stayed at Cooks RV and rode the bikes to the trailhead at the school. We got about a mile into it and came across a creek crossing. There is no bridge, so you have to ride through the creek on a concrete pad. There is signage that says not to cross through the water, so I assume that this creek is normally dry. The blacktop needs to be upgraded in a few spots.
We picked up the trail at the end of South Kings Avenue which is near the McDaniel Park trailhead. This urban trail has quite a bit of turns and curves. Trail width varies depending on the location and follows the creek for the most part. Mile markers and directional signs are painted on the pavement. For the first 1.6 miles, there are a few street crossings and the trail parallels roads. A short distance after you cross over the Kansas Expressway overpass, the trail goes through the Springfield Botanical Gardens. Plan on a stop here to stroll through one of the many gardens. The botanical gardens are gorgeous. The trail continues on for a short distance through a shady area and you can almost forget you are in a major city. We turned around at MM 5.4, West Battlefield Rd.
The trail surface was good. You cycle through two short tunnels which might be flooded after a heavy rain. It also seems that the section of the trail beyond the botanical gardens could also be subject to some flooding. We are not from the area so can’t comment for sure on flooding. I would recommend this trail. There are no amenities along the trail.
We parked at the paved Willard Trailhead at 107 E. Jackson Street and headed towards Springfield. We were only interested in a short out-and-back ride on the asphalt section and that section of the trail served its purpose. We have hybrid bicycles. The trail was in pretty good shape. There was one section where tree roots uprooted the pavement and one or two trees could have used pruning. Part of the trail is shady. If you are looking for a scenic trail, this one isn’t it. The section we rode goes through industrial areas – concrete factory, airport, trucking business, mini storage before ending at the Kearny trailhead in Springfield. Except for the Willard trailhead which has restrooms, picnic area and bicycle shop, there are no amenities along this section of the trail. We would recommend the pizza place across from the Willard trailhead – the pizza was excellent!
Nice little trail. Fassnight park can be a little rowdy but that is only a small fraction of the trail and it depends on when you travel through. The second half was definitely my favorite.
Nice little trail. Fassnight park can be a little rowdy but that is only a small fraction of the trail and it depends on when you travel through. The second half was definitely my favorite.
Started at Bolivar and turned around at mile marker 31 since it was not paved after this point, getting dark, and was muddy! Definitely take detour when it says so you don't have to backtrack. Not safe to cross the highway there!
If you park at Taj's trailhead and go south, there are a couple of hills to negotiate where the trail couldn't follow the floodplain of Wilson's Creek. And the Springfield treatment center is just across the creek, so there are some odors. Going north from Taj's trailhead the trail crosses some cowfields that sometimes contain cattle, so there are gates to open and close in a few places and cow patties to decorate the trail. But a nice trail that is not heavily traveled and asphalt paved, a good place for a rural walk or ride close to Springfield's west side.
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