The Best Backpacking in Missouri

An offshoot from the Ozark Trail, the Bell Mountain Loop trail offers a 12 mile loop (when starting from the HWY A trail head) that works perfectly as a beginner backpacking trip. The Ozark Trail website offers excellent maps for all sections of the trail (for free!), click here.Day 1: Hike 7.5 m...

This hike or bike ride in Castlewood State Park is rated as moderate and starts out with pleasant views on the bluffs. Follow the orange blazes as the trail descends into Kiefer Creek Valley, where you will hike alongside Kiefer Creek. The trail was originally built so that bicyclists could acc...

Starting from the Onondaga trail head of the Ozark Trail, this 12.6 mile backpacking trip and 12 mile float can be completed in two full days, or stretched into three days if you want to take a more casual pace. There is plentiful water, and several good camping spots along the trail, and of cour...

This 6.5 mile loop is a great hike that takes you into the Haha Tonka Oak Woodland Natural Area. It shares a trailhead with the Acorn Trail but is clearly marked on which way you should go. This hike isn't super challenging but make sure that you are in good physical condition and that you have s...

Starting at 850 feet of elevation, this 3.25 mile loop is a great beginner backpacking trip. The trail is fairly rough so a sturdy pair of hiking boots is a must. The trail splits a quarter mile in; you will need to go right. After another quarter mile you will enter the Patterson Hollow Wild Are...

Cuivre River Trail Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Troy, Missouri.

Ozark Trail: Taum Sauk Section is a point-to-point trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Arcadia, Missouri.

Turkey Pen Hollow Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Camdenton, Missouri.

Hercules-Glades Long Creek Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Bradleyville, Missouri.

Busiek Purple, Orange, White Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Chestnutridge, Missouri.

The Ozark Trail: Current River Section is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a river located near Ellington, Missouri.

Berryman and Ozark Trail is a loop trail where you may see local wildlife located near Davisville, Missouri.

Bell Mountain Loop via Ozark Trail - Trace Creek Section is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Belleview, Missouri.

Sugar Creek Blue Trail is a loop trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Kirksville, Missouri.

White's Creek Trail from Brawley Pond Trailhead is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Fremont, Missouri.

Katy Trail: Jefferson City to Hermann is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a river located near Jefferson City, Missouri.