The wife and I have just started walking, as a means of much needed exercise. I am a former powerlifter and she was once an athlete, in golden years past. We have been walking by Shoal Creek, a great walk, and it is nearer to our house, but once we walked this trail we both fell in love. Great walk. Even when it is busy, there are quiet moments to see nature and wildlife. Most people you pass say hello, nod, or let you pet their dog. That may just be the people of Joplin, but still it is an incredibly beautiful, friendly, and surprisingly strenuous walk. We are gonna do the whole thing soon, and once we do she says we are going to mountain bike the whole thing. What a great natural spot to escape to. Joplin is blessed with such beautiful natural settings.

This trail is great for a stroll or a quick bike ride. Beautiful scenery and you can start either off of Allan St or from Briarbrook.

We rode the entire trail out and back. We live near the KATY trail and that is always our reference. Trail is not as well maintained as KATY. The southern end is much better maintained. We started north at bolivar. The first 4 miles are paved or good. The next several miles are bad for narrow tires, to the extent that I rode my Mountian bike day two. We quit at 215 highway for 12.5. Then return same poor trail. Day 2 on mountain bike of course the trail was much better. The closer to Springfield the bet it got. The last 8 miles blacktop. All in all great ride, the only exception was that rough ride on the northern end.

I rode to mile 20 and back. Paved until mile 8.2 then crushed gravel, which was still good riding. At mile 17 the conditions worsened. Tree canopy gives good shade 75% of the time, but also, as noted by others, has a maze of hanging spider webs if you go early (before other riders clear them out). Ride bikes would not fare well on the tougher gravel after mile 17.

Love this trail! There are also a few places to stop and eat or enjoy the Ozarks!

I rode Bolivar MP35 to MP21, I did not do due research and thought the trail would be comparable to The Katy Trail State Park, no comparison. The trail was not marked well especially around highway bypass leaving Bolivar, no signs. South of paved section MP35 to MP30 (approximate) the trail was more or less terrible, mud, soft sand, sink holes around bridges, big rock ballast, small washouts. etc. No place to get water. I asked several people about stores where I could get water same response, "They didn't know of any", so at MP 21 I turned around and returned to Bolivar, my water bottle empty. I will not be back.

Me and some friends took the trail from Springfield to Bolivar and back Great trail, gives you the feeling you're in the middle of nowhere Ate at the sonic in Bolivar for lunch All good except for the nail I picked up on the big bridge but hey it's better than work any day I recommend this trail it's great Johnny 6 Fingers bicycle club

Trail is closed due to road construction 3 miles out from Springfield until late Nov 2019. Parked at Willard Trail Head, rode South to closure, then N to mile 15 and back. Trail is paved from Springfield to 2 miles N of Willard - total of 8 miles paved. Unpaved portion at least to mile 15 was in great shape - smooth, mostly shaded but some open sections. Rolling farmland - peaceful and scenic. Riding on Tuesday afternoon - gorgeous, sunny 72 degree day, only a few bikers/walkers on the paved section, did not see anyone else on the trail for the 14 miles of unpaved section I rode. Restrooms/food/secure parking at Willard. Nice rest area with swing at Conco Quarries and benches/tables at Frisco Trail Mini Storage. City park with large pool about 1 1/2 miles N of Willard Trail Head - pool closed for season but a nice cooling off place if riding the trail in the summer.

Hard to find the beginning of the trail from the maps but found it started by the coffee shop! The port a potty was actually in the middle of the trail....use it because there isn’t one at the end in Joplin! Will definitely ride it again. Nice tree canopy coverage in much of the trail!