Explore the best rated trails in Shell Knob, MO, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Blowing Springs Greenway and Bella Vista Lake Trail . With more than 62 trails covering 204 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.
My bike group traveled from Mid Missouri to Fayetteville area to ride this trail in September 2025. The trail was well maintained, well marked and it was separated away from the traffic lanes of cars. We rode all 40 miles in a weekend and visited Crystal Bridges during our ride. We also took a tour around Lake Fayetteville, which was a nice ride through the woods and around the lake. This was my second time riding this trail and I would go again.
This is a very nice trail with some challenging portions. Like most rail trails I would recommend using a bicycle with wide tires, 35mm up. The paved portions between Springfield and Willard and the section between the Bolivar Trailhead and the La Gemme Petite Prairie area are fine for road bikes.
Best Time to ride: I would say fall is the best. However, as this trail has plentiful tree cover it is not that bad in the summer.
Best Stops: Willard is absolutely wonderful. Great pizza place right across from the trailhead. The HOBO HAVEN Stop I thought was pretty cool.
Scenery: Missouri at its best. Forests, prairies, rolling hills, rivers, cattle ranches, lush meadows and grasslands. This trail crosses 16 bridges which are really cool.
Challenges: The north end of the trail, past the small village of Wishart, has had some washouts and the repairs are rough gravel and at times loose gravel. This portion of the trail up to the asphalt portion is kinda rough so take your time and keep your eye on the trail surface. The next big challenge is in Bolivar where the trail is interrupted by a 4 lane freeway. Please don't try and cross this. It is dangerous and the median is very wet and muddy. I have mapped a SAFE detour that avoids the non-bicycle-friendly portion of West Aldrich Road. You can view it here on Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52840487 . The Trail Link trail guide says they have a detour, " see below", but there is nothing there. This detour uses roads with nice shoulders and quiet residential streets.
If you are staying in Bolivar, I stayed at the Best Western Plus and wholeheartedly recommend it. Cyclist-friendly folks and a nice hotel with a great restaurant next door.
Summary: This is one of the most scenic rail trails in Missouri and well worth a visit.
The trial is great to get to the razorback Trail, and from were I live to get to Fayetteville Lake.
Would be great if it wasn't for the dogs and their owners. I carry an air horn on the bike, they didn't like that at all.
I originally liked this trail once I followed it out of Ritter Springs, (which has questionable hours) and to the east. I enjoyed the trail with the wide open landscapes and fun bell you could ring. Then I reached a part where I had to go through the creek. I found this impossible due to the depth of the water.
From the frequent times I've used this trail, it's been well-maintained and relatively clean. Connections from this Greenway to other trails are marked with signs going onto Battlefield Rd. Will be nice once the extension opens to Wilsons Creek Battlefield.
Rode out from bolivar. Out about 8 miles a dog chased me hard. On the way back same fellow. Would love to ride to springfield spend the night and ride back. But agreasive dog and no place to overnight park makes this a nogo for me
Great trail. Ended up as a 14 mile ride doing the loop by the farm twice. 534 elevation and we have heavy bikes. Had to walk a few of the hills. Only drawback was the sewage treatment smell at one point.
I recently rode from the JB and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center to Fayetteville. I thought the section from the nature center to Springdale lake was the “Spring Creek Trail”. I think the map shown here from Lake Springdale to Maple avenue was part of the razorback trail. I’m not a local though so I could be wrong.
We started in Bentonville and rode to Fayetteville in three hours. No construction or detours. It is a well maintained trail with beautiful views! It has challenging hills and some street riding but we felt safe the entire ride. Car drivers were very considerate. There are many of places to stop to eat or rest along the way. The trail is well marked with signs.
We rode this trail for a couple of days, just the Razorback, but you could connect to the entire areas regional trails that intersect throughout the trail and make it a few day ride if you're in the area. Our two day total was 67 miles.
There was a lot of construction going on throughout the trail and some of it is not well marked on the detours.
Hills, lakes, parks, benches, along river beds, as well as paths dedicated on city streets. Overall a nice trail. Lots of weekend riders, families, strollers, etc. Fun urban riding. Any bike will do as the trails are concrete and asphalt mostly with some dirt tracks. Lots of amenities, shade and fun.
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