Submitted by Gen_Chaos t3_ygkizn in springfieldMO
Hey everyone! We're wanting to go on a trail today but the wife doesn't want to go to a paved one. Anyone know of any good unpaved ones similar to what's around Sequiota?
Submitted by Gen_Chaos t3_ygkizn in springfieldMO
Hey everyone! We're wanting to go on a trail today but the wife doesn't want to go to a paved one. Anyone know of any good unpaved ones similar to what's around Sequiota?
Stay alert if you go to Fellows lake. There’s usually more bikers than trail hikers on the paths.
There are some dedicated hiking trails to avoid the mountain bike traffic. Google "Fellows Lake Trailhead East" and you'll end up at a little parking lot with a restroom, swing set and dock. There's a sign marking the trailhead. I was under the impression that's a different trail than the MTB route, but I could be wrong. When I have hiked it there was no bike traffic on that trail.
Maybe there's some overlap but there is separation for a lot of it, there are signs as you go along designating the hiking trail and the Dirt66 trail
Stay on the Nature Trail and you should be good. The dedicated mountain bike trails are called Dirt66. Everything is labeled pretty well put there.
Ritter Springs just north of town or Busiek state park south of Ozark
The Conservation Nature Center is mostly gravel trails these days.
AllTrails app is a lifesaver, you can filter by preferences and it’s free unless you want offline mode
If you're looking for something pretty wild and rugged, try Cedar Gap between Seymour and Mansfield. You can do it in tennis shoes if they have grip, and it hasn't rained a lot.
There are many. Almost too many to practically list here. But here are my go-tos when I just have a hankering to get out there and haven’t really planned anything.
Immediately in/around town, trails that may be partially paved but have substantial unpaved areas as well. Relatively short, usually only takes about an hour.
Ritter Springs
Nature Center
Lake Springfield
Little further out, totally unpaved, much greater trail length, can spend a whole afternoon easily. Within about 30 mins of town
Busiek wildlife management area
Sac Woods Conservation Area
Big wild rough full day or multi day hikes, hour to two hours away.
Hercules Glade
Glade Top Scenic Trail
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I live in Ozark, so Busiek is my go-to as it’s only 15 minutes away from me. But I’d drive much further to go there if I had to—it’s an excellent collection of trails with lots of variety.
Agree with this list. Hercules Glades is worth the trip, too.
The path at Valley Watermill Park on the north side is fabulous. Walks around the water and through tree and along creeks. Cool place, easy walk to
Try lost hill park, I think they may have an unpaved trail. If not them, I know there is one at valley watermill park
Valley Water Mill
Little sac woods n of town has grass trails.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield also has a few very easy unpaved trails. I think they range from 1-3 miles. We enjoy them and depending on which one you do there are some old cemeteries hidden in the woods!
Just got back from Busiek State Forest for the last 3 days, love it every time I’m there. Lots of unpaved trail, campgrounds and outdoor gun range as well.
The local conservation areas have good trails. Pleasant Hope and Sac woods are both just north on 13. Compton Hollow is east about 20 miles. It's youth deer season so could be hunters but all 3 are usually uncrowded.
Depending on how much you're willing to drive, Busiek State Forest and Stockton State Park (opposite directions from Springfield) both offer some beautiful scenery and have miles of trails.
Valley Water Mill
teamhj t1_iu903h9 wrote
Head up to Fellows Lake. There are both hiking and mountain biking trail options.