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: July 1 - July 11
Date: Friday, July 11, 2025 8:00 am - Friday, July 11, 2025 5:00 pm
Location: Runge Conservation Nature Center
Let your stuffed animal enjoy a night of outdoor fun at the nature center! Drop your critter off at Runge on Thursday, July 10 or Friday, July 11, any time between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Then on Friday night while you’re at home, your plush pal will go camping, hiking, birdwatching, and more with other curious critters! After picking up your pal on Saturday, you’ll receive photos of their exciting adventures! The camp-out will be chaperoned by a naturalist and a permission slip for your animal will need to be completed at the time of drop off. One stuffed animal per child, please. Registration required. All ages
Registration period: June 24 - July 12
Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025 7:30 pm - Saturday, July 12, 2025 9:00 pm
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

As the sun dips below the horizon, heighten your senses and discover how the forest comes alive at night. Embark on this nocturnal adventure complete with hands-on activities that will make your experience immersive. This is a no flashlight hike, meaning we will only be using red lights to avoid damaging our night vision. Make sure to bring bug spray and water, as well as proper walking shoes.

We will be hiking our Hickory Ridge Short Loop, which measures to 1/2-mile loop. Come prepared as this trail contains steep inclines and declines. Be sure to register all participants in your group, including children. Meet the naturalist by the frog statue in front of the nature center.
Registration period: June 1 - July 15
Date: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 10:00 am - Tuesday, July 15, 2025 11:30 am
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Join us for our monthly stroll along the trails of Powder Valley to enjoy the seasonal wonders of nature. What wonderful plants, animals and scenery will we encounter? We will discuss all the new wonders we discover in this particular time of year. Dress for the weather.
Registration period: July 1 - July 11
Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 8:00 am - Wednesday, July 16, 2025 5:00 pm
Location: Knob Noster State Park
Grab your hiking stick and join volunteers from Runge Nature Center for a guided hike of Opossum Trail at Knob Noster State Park (Johnson County); 4 miles – intermediate. Meet at Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City or the trailhead. Some transportation is provided, but carpooling will be necessary as there is limited space in our vehicles. Hike leaders will contact participants via e-mail before the hike to give directions and other information. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, bring a water bottle, and pack a lunch/snack. Note: Registration is limited and closes on July 11 at 8 AM. Registration required. Ages 18+
Registration period: June 25 - July 15
Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 6:00 pm - Wednesday, July 16, 2025 7:00 pm
Location: Online only
The three levels of hiking in Missouri will get you completely set up to confidently set out on a hike of any distance here in the state! We will cover all the basics from mapping to what you will carry with you. This is a fantastic resource for the beginning hiker or someone looking for an easy way to get back outdoors!
Registration period: June 6 - July 18
Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025 7:30 am - Saturday, July 19, 2025 11:00 am
Location: Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area
Join us for a 3-mile hike to view the herons and egrets feeding in the MTC marsh. The young have just left the nests so we may see both young and adults feeding together. See some of the showiest members of all wading birds. Meeting details will be sent out to registrants the day before the program.
Registration period: June 1 - July 22
Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 6:00 pm - Tuesday, July 22, 2025 7:30 pm
Location: Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center
Registration required (adults) Grab your walking shoes and get ready for a leisurely stroll through the tree lined streets of Calvary, Forest Hill and Rose Hill cemeteries. Covering roughly 2-miles, this slow-paced hike will utilize cemetery roads and some sidewalks as we discover the beautiful trees of the area. During the hike we will discuss native and non-native trees and the threats to them, wildlife that rely on trees, hiking safety and other great urban hikes. The instructor will e-mail the exact meeting location to participants the week prior to the hike. You will receive an e-mail from the instructor if weather conditions indicate a need to cancel the program. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor after registering and at least one week prior to the program.
Registration period: May 30 - July 21
Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 9:00 am - Wednesday, July 23, 2025 3:00 pm
Location: Cape Girardeau Nature Center

Southeast Missouri was a hotbed of Civil War dispute. Enjoy a 2.5 mile hike on Holly Ridge Conservation Area, and learn about the unique habitat of the area and the impact this had on the Civil War. Then, drive down the road and visit the Stoddard County Civil War Memorial Cemetery to view grave markers for soldiers from the county that fought on both sides of the Civil War.

This hike traverses moderately challenging terrain and is not ADA accessible. Participants will need to pack their own sack lunch and sufficient water.
Registration period: July 1 - July 23
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025 8:00 am - Saturday, July 26, 2025 5:00 pm
Location: Onandaga Cave State Park
Put on your hiking shoes and join volunteers from Runge Nature Center for a guided hike at Onondaga Cave State Park (Crawford County); 4 miles – moderate. Meet at Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City or the trailhead. Some transportation is provided, but carpooling will be necessary as there is limited space in our vehicles. Hike leaders will contact participants via e-mail before the hike to give directions and other information. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, bring a water bottle, and pack a lunch/snack. Note: Registration closes on July 23 at 8 AM. Registration required. Ages 18+
Registration period: June 23 - July 26
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025 9:00 am - Saturday, July 26, 2025 12:00 pm
Location: Valley View Glades Trailhead

Join a naturalist on a guided 2.6-mile hike through Valley View Glades Natural Area in Hillsboro, Missouri. Hikes will be held during all four seasons in 2025, and we will discuss the changes happening on this beautiful and diverse trail throughout the year! Keep an eye out for more dates to come! Please note: this is a rugged, natural-surface trail that may not be suitable for beginner hikers. For this reason, all participants should be 16 years old or older. Make sure to bring water, dress for the weather, and wear sturdy, close-toed shoes!

Please make sure to register all participants ahead of time.