Find the top rated mountain biking trails in Bolivar, whether you're looking for an easy short mountain biking trail or a long mountain biking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a mountain biking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We wanted to ride from Springfield to Bolivar, but the trail condition from Willard to Walnut Grove was poor. That section was so grass covered we were barely able to stay upright. This section has not been mowed, apparently never been graded. It appears to be just an overgrown country road.
This is a beautiful trail but there is no way I could have seen it all without an ebike. Rented ebikes locally for a couple hours and were able to connect over to the trail of honor and ride along the James River. There is also a connect to the Nature Center.
Nice trail a lot of shade and not over crowded.
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.
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.
Narrow, twisty, paved trail with sharp hills (trappy) runs besides, over and in three places through a lovely creek. Mostly shaded, scenic enough but nasty on a road bike. Maybe a Mountain bike?
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