Find the top rated fishing trails in Missouri, whether you're looking for an easy short fishing trail or a long fishing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a fishing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
It just goes down the street it's not worth even going to work with you some money
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.
Have to say I didn’t really enjoy this trail ride. Very little shade. Prefer the MCT trails in IL over by Edwardsville. Trail was nicely paved. Several roads to cross. Some quick side trails you can do. Urban most of the time. Did like seeing the horses by Grants farm.
Nice wide path for both biking & walking. Starting at the tennis courts for easy secure parking works great. Very clean, no issues with feeling unsafe or homelessness. Connects with Indian creek trail so can ride or walk for a long ways.
This Art installation is on the Katy trail just west of Matson. They are spectacular!
If passing through Independence, MO (Kansas City) on I-70, the trail in easily accessed directly from several hotels. Trail is mixed packed/crushed limestone and in good condition with some patches of concrete. You could tell new concrete had been poured in certain sections showing signs of continual improvement. Some of trail bridges are narrow, we at times ride Catrikes and it would have been a tight fit on a Catrike. My disappointment is the pedestrian bridge south of Bundschu Rd, reading some of the other reviews the bridge has been blocked for some time. Plenty of steel grating and bars have been welded to the bridge to prevent access. Sad repair of the bridge has not been a priority. Loss of 6.2 ish miles. There is a north and and a south section it will be great when they connect the two sections. Note the signage is not very good, really non existent, be sure to have a map available with labeled cross streets. Watch for deer LOTS of deer during the evening hours.
Interesting to see the water level in Hartsburg creek and the flood levels recorded on the bridge
Nice trail a lot of shade and not over crowded.
A lovely, and mainly flat, paved trail that goes around the fake lake and very nice wetlands areas. There are some shaded parts, but you will be primarily in the sun. This is my favorite trail in the area to bike on, and it is never crowded, except near the pavilion area in the park if they are having a summer event.
Stopped by and rode part of this trail while on a trip to Florida. What an awesome trail. Most of our trails in Florida are paved so I was a little hesitant of the gravel but it was no problem. Huge rock bluffs, the river, wineries breweries and eating establishments, it’s awesome, who could ask for more. Rode 23 miles from Defiance to Marthasville for lunch and back. We’ll be back to do more in the future!!
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