Hiking

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A man in a hat walks with boys along a gravel path next to a body of water.
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Take a hike! Our conservation areas have miles of hiking and multiuse trails. Go to your favorite area and explore.

Some trails are multiuse, which means there may also be cyclists, horseback riders, dog walkers, bird watchers, photographers, and others on the trail. Being mindful of others can make outdoor recreation a great experience for everyone.

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Guidelines for Hiking on MDC Areas

Stay on the Trail

Straying from the trail may disturb the places many plants and animals call home.

Maintain a Respectful Volume

There’s no need to whisper, but yelling or listening to loud music can bother wildlife or other people using the trail.

Leave No Trace

Do not leave any trash or personal belongings out on the trails or the surrounding areas. This includes things such as chicken bones, banana peels, and apple cores. Leaving these items along the trail can be dangerous for wildlife and make nature less beautiful.

Know Your Right of Way

Generally, hikers yield to horseback riders only, but check the signage on each trail for special cases. When it comes to other hikers, yield to groups, uphill hikers, and hikers moving at a faster pace.

Before You Go

Check Places to Go to see if the conservation area you want to visit has hiking trails. You can search for trails using the Advanced Search feature.

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Trail courtesy order
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Source: U.S. Forest Service
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Be Prepared

Being prepared can make or break your hiking experience, so make sure you set yourself up to enjoy it.

  • Always pack water — staying hydrated is important when you are engaging in strenuous activities.
  • Check the weather before you go hiking, and dress accordingly. If the temperature will change significantly during your hike, wear layered clothing using items that are easy to change and light enough to carry.
  • Wear comfortable and supportive shoes or boots that you are not afraid to get dirty.
  • Prevent discomfort from the elements with bug spray and sunscreen.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Paying attention to your surroundings can help keep you and others safe and keep you from getting lost. Being aware can also prevent injuries, accidents, and negative encounters with wildlife.

Respect Wildlife

If you encounter wildlife on a trail, please give the animal space. It is likely just passing by and will cause no harm if left alone. However, as black bears make a comeback in southern Missouri, as a hiker, you must be "bear aware"  and know what to do if you encounter a bear while hiking.

Check the Dates

Trails and service roads may be closed to bicycling and horseback riding during all portions of the firearms deer hunting season and shooting hours of the spring turkey hunting season. Check Places to Go for regulations for the area you plan to visit.

Great Places For Hiking

Events

Find events near you.
Registration period: February 23 - March 19
Date: Tuesday, March 19, 2024 10:00 am - Tuesday, March 19, 2024 11:30 am
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

Join an MDC naturalist on a hike on Powder Valley’s Broken Ridge Trail. On this hike we will be looking for native flowering trees like dogwoods and red buds. Broken Ridge Trail is a 2/3 mile paved trail.

Please dress for the weather and bring water for the hike.
Registration period: February 15 - March 19
Date: Tuesday, March 19, 2024 1:00 pm - Tuesday, March 19, 2024 2:30 pm
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
What is the difference between an equinox and an equilux? Join us to discover how the length of the day changes throughout the year, and how that affects the plants, animals and people. We will hike the Hickory Ridge Trail (1.3 miles) and use our senses to experience how nature is changing out of winter, noticing which plants are emerging welcoming the spring. Bring along water, a snack, and dress for the weather.
Registration period: March 1 - March 20
Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2024 8:00 am - Wednesday, March 20, 2024 5:00 pm
Location: Runge Conservation Nature Center
Grab your hiking stick for a guided hike of Gans Creek Wild Area (Boone County); 4-5 miles – moderate. Meet at Runge Nature Center or the trailhead. Some transportation is provided but carpooling may be necessary. Hike leaders will contact participants before the hike to give directions if needed. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, bring a water bottle, and pack a lunch/snack. Registration required. Ages 18+
Registration period: February 6 - March 23
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024 8:15 am - Saturday, March 23, 2024 5:00 pm
Location: Springfield Conservation Nature Center
Meet at the Nature Center and carpool to Hercules Glade. Wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring a sack lunch and water bottle. Trekking poles are recommended. This hike is about 6.5 miles and rugged, rated moderate to difficult.
Registration period: February 13 - March 22
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024 9:00 am - Saturday, March 23, 2024 12:00 pm
Location: Fort Belle Fontaine County Park

Experience the wonders of Fort Belle Fontaine County Park as we hike through a variety of habitats searching for early sights and sounds of spring.

Walk the trail past the upland prairie leading down to views of the Missouri River and the historic Grand Staircase.

Along the way we will look for ephemerals such as Dutchman's breeches and spring beauty, as well as new growth and buds on native trees and bushes.

Parts of the trail are steep and can be muddy. Dress for the weather and wear shoes or boots that can get muddy. Bring a water bottle and a walking stick if you have one.

Meet the naturalist guide in the parking lot just past the entrance to Fort Belle Fontaine County Park.
Registration period: December 15 - March 27
Date: Wednesday, March 27, 2024 9:00 am - Wednesday, March 27, 2024 3:00 pm
Location: Cape Girardeau Nature Center
Are we still in Missouri? Most people don’t realize that southeast Missouri is home to some of the most unique habitats and wildlife found in Missouri. Explore the swamp and bottomlands that help make this ecosystem unique. Keep your eyes open for wildlife like swamp rabbit and otters. This state park is also home to some of Missouri’s state record trees, and you can view many of them along the boardwalk trail. This hiking trip consists of 3 trails found on the area which total nearly 3 miles in the end. All three trails have an easy trail rating. Pack a lunch and enjoy the sights and sounds of Missouri’s southeast between some of the hikes. Participants will meet at the nature center and carpool to the state park.
Registration period: February 17 - April 4
Date: Friday, April 5, 2024 7:00 pm - Friday, April 5, 2024 9:00 pm
Location: St. Louis Regional Office/Busch Memorial CA

Don your headlamps and join us for a night hike to see and hear our slimy amphibian friends and making their way to the water for the Spring around August A Busch Conservation Area. We will meet in the classroom of the main building where we will for a short amphibian ID presentation, then caravan to our night hike destination in search of some cold-blooded critters.

Be prepared to get dirty as we explore the site’s ponds and surrounding areas. Please dress for the outdoors and bring a flashlight/headlamp. Sturdy shoes or rubber boots are recommended.

Difficulty = Moderate: natural, gravel, and paved surface hiking at night. The number of amphibians expected to be seen will depend on the weather. Best results will be when temperatures stay above 50 degrees F at night, especially after rain. Because of this, there is a small possibility this program will be rescheduled to April 6th or April 12th to take advantage of optimal temperatures and weather.

Please register each person attending individually.
Registration period: February 13 - April 5
Date: Saturday, April 6, 2024 9:00 am - Saturday, April 6, 2024 12:00 pm
Location: Fort Belle Fontaine County Park

Warm spring days bring rapid changes to the landscape. Walk the trail past the upland prairie and head down to the Missouri River. Along the trail through the woods, look for more ephemerals that have made their appearance in the past 2 weeks since our March 23 hike. We are not allowed to pick them, so bring your camera to get pictures to keep long after those beauties have bloomed.

You may finish the hike by climbing up the historic Grand Staircase or continue the trail to the top.

Parts of the trail are steep and can be muddy. Dress for the weather and wear boots or shoes that can get muddy. Bring a water bottle and walking stick if you have one.

Meet the naturalist guide in the parking lot just past the entrance to Fort Belle Fontaine County Park.
Registration period: January 19 - April 13
Date: Saturday, April 13, 2024 2:00 pm - Saturday, April 13, 2024 5:00 pm
Location: Blue Spring Branch CA
Hike through one of our regions amazing natural areas at Blue Spring Branch Conservation Area in Perry County Missouri. We will delve into the history of this area and enjoy its unique topography. This area is home to a diversity of plants including some beautiful spring ephemerals. We will learn some tips and tricks on how to identify these pretty wildflowers along the way. This trail is steep, difficult in some areas, and is slick in recent rains. Please wear sturdy hiking shoes with a good tread. We will meet at the nature center where you can choose to ride with us or carpool. Participants ages 12-17 must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration period: March 14 - April 16
Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 7:00 pm - Tuesday, April 16, 2024 8:30 pm
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Have you ever wondered about the sights and sounds of Powder Valley at dusk? Grab your hiking boots and join a naturalist on a guided hike for an evening of learning.