Find the top rated trails in Carthage, whether you're looking an easy walking path or a long bike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The Watco Trail, named for the short-line railroad operator headquartered in Pittsburg, stretches diagonally through the Kansas city just west of downtown. The trail is open on a portion of the former...
The Frisco Greenway Trail runs along a portion of the former St. Louis–San Francisco Railway (the Frisco), which played an important role in the development of Joplin and Webb City. Jasper County...
The 36-mile Frisco Highline Trail connects Springfield to Bolivar, winding its way through Missouri farm country along an abandoned rail corridor. The 8-mile section from Springfield to the north end...
The Watco Trail, named for the short-line railroad operator headquartered in Pittsburg, stretches diagonally through the Kansas city just west of downtown. The trail is open on a portion of the former...
The Frisco Greenway Trail runs along a portion of the former St. Louis–San Francisco Railway (the Frisco), which played an important role in the development of Joplin and Webb City. Jasper County...
The Ruby Jack Trail runs for 16 miles between Carthage, MO, and the Kansas state line. The trail links the towns of Carthage, Oronogo, and Carl Junction, traversing farmland, wetland, and woodland. As...
The 36-mile Frisco Highline Trail connects Springfield to Bolivar, winding its way through Missouri farm country along an abandoned rail corridor. The 8-mile section from Springfield to the north end...
The Frisco Greenway Trail runs along a portion of the former St. Louis–San Francisco Railway (the Frisco), which played an important role in the development of Joplin and Webb City. Jasper County...
The Watco Trail, named for the short-line railroad operator headquartered in Pittsburg, stretches diagonally through the Kansas city just west of downtown. The trail is open on a portion of the former...
The 36-mile Frisco Highline Trail connects Springfield to Bolivar, winding its way through Missouri farm country along an abandoned rail corridor. The 8-mile section from Springfield to the north end...
The Ruby Jack Trail runs for 16 miles between Carthage, MO, and the Kansas state line. The trail links the towns of Carthage, Oronogo, and Carl Junction, traversing farmland, wetland, and woodland. As...
We ran a 25k on this trail. Started at Carthage parking lot in the park due to more parking for race participants and entered the trail at trailhead and went to Grant St in Oranogo and back to Carthage. Round trip 15.6 miles. It was small white crushed chat similar to the Frisco Trail in Joplin. Pretty level with only noticeable incline getting on the trail at Carthage Trailhead. A few areas had some grass grown up on the trail but paths were still easy to run thru or ride a bike thru. Scenery past a salvage yard at the start then mostly farm and ranch land. No lose pets. Heard a couple dogs in 2 yards and farm with a loud rooster. Absolutely pleasant Trail experience! If it was paved I would give it a 5. Would love to have a trail similar in our community!!
I started our ride in Carthage with a couple of my grandchildren on mountain bikes. I did not know what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised. The trail was hard-packed gravel and was very smooth. We only went 3-4 miles west then returned. There are benches set up in several spots to rest. We all enjoyed the ride. I will be using this trail much more often. My wife will also join us on her beach cruiser.
We have just finished resurfacing 2 miles of the Ruby Jack from the Carthage Trail Head to Leggett and Platt. We placed fine gravel over the rough gravel that was there for several years. The trail is holding up well.
There are plans to extend the trail 1.5 miles to the west towards Carl Junction. We should know by the end of the summer of 2016 when this will take place.
The Rusty Chain Gang went from Bolivar to Springfield and spent the night at the Courtyard and went back the next day.
No need to go into great detail as Emily's review was spot on. A mower and tree trimming is much needed on all sections of the trail. Some areas worse than others.
A reminder to everyone there is no water on the trail and pack extra water with you. I had 3 water bottles but needed the 4th.
I am looking forward in going back when I see some more positive feedback.
It is a shame that a trail through such a gorgeous, natural area is so inconsistently maintained. My husband and I rode from south of Bolivar (MM 31) north into Bolivar one day, and the second day rode from MM 31 south on the unpaved portion of the trail down to around MM 21.
The paved portion of the trail was average; some roots, but overall decent. The road detour around Hwy 13 in Bolivar is rather long and a bit confusing if you don't know the area due to inadequate signage, but we figured it out.
Parts of the unpaved section south of Bolivar were smoothly packed limestone and very easy to ride on our road bikes, which are equipped with wide tires (1.35"). However, a good mowing and branch trimming was needed as the grass and weeds were high, and occasionally the trail would almost disappear in the weeds. But this was tolerable compared to the conditions we encountered the farther south we got.
We had hoped to make it to Walnut Grove at MM 16, but ended up turning around early due to the gravel conditions, mostly from the Little Sac River bridge (MM 23) to MM 21 (and probably farther south). This section appeared to have been relatively recently re-graveled, and not well. The gravel was larger and deeper than ideal (up to 3" deep in some places), leading to fish-tailing and difficulties controlling our bikes. I would recommend this section for mountain bikes only. It was nice to see that some maintenance had been done on this section, but unfortunately, it was not done well; the gravel was not spread evenly or thinly enough, making it somewhat hazardous and not fun to ride.
The bridge conditions were also inconsistent. Some appeared in dire need of maintenance. One wooden bridge had a large hole where a plank was missing, a very hazardous situation.
With more consistent and careful maintenance, this rail-trail could be the gem it should be, but it was a disappointing trail for us, especially compared to numerous other rail-trails we have ridden across the US.
We parked one car in Joplin off North st at the beginning of trail and was able to get nice shaded parking spot and there is a porta potty in this lot. We then hoped in other car and drove to web city near broadway which was difficult to find the trail at first but ended up parking under some shade in the skating rink parking lot and walking towards broadway and cedar and saw the old rail road tracks across the road and saw the trail and began following it. It was me and my wife along with our three year old daughter. Well majority of the trail is shaded really nicely except for about just over half mile stretch when you get near Zora there is absolutely no shade and is burning hot on this stretch but other then this the entire rest of trail is nice and shaded even during hottest part of day. We started just after 3 PM and with out three year old walking herself majority of the way we finished around 4:45 PM but also between Zora and the Joplin starting point were we parked we came across a bridge were we spent some time playing in the water as well. The entire trail is all gravel and overall was an enjoyable afternoon. Would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun walk and without kids could probably be done closer to an hour.
This trail through Joplin and Webb City has access points along its length. There are a couple of paved sections, but fine, graded gravel is well kept within the 'green tunnel' of trees most of the way. Deer, groundhogs, upland and aquatic birds can be found often, especially along the southern portions of the trail (near Turkey Creek, and among the sloping hills). Nearby rail is still active at the southern end, giving nostalgic calls, and occasionally views of parked rail cars on a siding that used to be the rail of this rail-to-trail.
This trail has been in the minds of Carl Junction, Oronogo, and Carthage for years. It is actively used by members of the AVA and the local Dogwood Trailblazers walking groups. I enjoy walks from the Oronogo access. From that point eastward to Carthage, the grading and gravel size are smooth, even allowing family members to ride bike comfortably at the same time I am walking. From Oronogo, westward, there is a mile of coarser, loose, larger gravel, older bridges and more overgrown vegetation. This is a section that runs under the nearby Highway 43. The Carl Junction end of the trail has received (is now still in action) a large amount of clearing, grading and new fine gravel application to make it a very strong, attractive portion of the trail. The trail is a good one. It has different character along different portions, but is still being upgraded each year.
I rode this trail July 17, 2015 from Carthage to about 1 mile past Oronogo. The trail is decent, but that last mile was thicker gravel and the tires pretty much sank in. I was using 38's. We rode till the trail was pretty much covered with vegetation. I can't wait till it is finished all the way to Carl Junction. I will be back to ride the whole thing then.
Horrible over grown and gravel was like quick sand. Had to take road the rest of the way! Don't waste your time.
A nice, short, well-maintained, shady, paved trail that runs through residential areas in Pittsburg, KS. There are lots of street crossings, but most of the streets are quiet. Trailhead Park, at the north end, added in 2010, has a parking lot and water fountain. Because of the numerous street crossings it isn't conducive to fast bicycling, but it's a safe and pleasant place for a jog.
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