Saddle up your horse and go for a ride on one of the 16 equestrian trails in Missouri State Parks. Some of these trails are good for easy riding, while others prove to be more of a challenge. Whichever park you choose, you will behold the scenic views of beautiful Missouri while trail riding.
Babler State Park
Babler State Park in Wildwood, Missouri has a 6 mile Equestrian Trail. Riders cross over a paved road, climb a steep hill and travel across a cement bridge. Sights along the way include a historic bridge built in the 1930s, a historic barn and stables and a historic stone tunnel.
http://mostateparks.com/park/dr-edmund-babler-memorial-state-park
Sam A. Baker State Park
The equestrian trail at Sam A. Baker State Park in Patterson, Missouri is a 16.75 mile trail through the St. Francois Mountains. On this challenging trail, you will climb from 415 feet above sea level in Big Creek Valley up to 1,313 feet above sea level at the top of Mudlick Mountain. There is an equestrian campground at this park.
http://mostateparks.com/park/sam-baker-state-park
Castlewood State Park
There are three horseback trails at the Castlewood State Park in Ballwin, Missouri. The Castlewood Loop is a 2.75 mile trail that runs through old farmland and the floodplain. Chubb Trail is 7 miles of riding through rugged and hilly terrain along with flat, forested bottomland. Grotpeter Trail is 3.75 miles of challenging terrain, several elevation changes and numerous road crossings.
http://mostateparks.com/park/castlewood-state-park
Crowder State Park
Horseback riders can ride the 8.6 mile long Thompson River Trail at Crowder State Park in Trenton, Missouri. Most of the trail is an open low-lying floodplain and bottomland forest. Riding along the ridge top of a field, you will see the scenic view of the valley below.
http://mostateparks.com/park/crowder-state-park
Cuivre River State Park
The Cuivre River Trail at Cuivre State Park in Troy, Missouri offers 11.25 miles of horseback riding. On the north loop, you will run into Sugar Bluff, bottomland forests and a large wet weather spring. The south loop offers a scenic view of the Cuivre River valley along Frenchman’s Bluff. Equestrians can enjoy camping and a day use area at the south loop.
http://mostateparks.com/park/cuivre-river-state-park
Johnson’s Shut Ins
The Goggins Mountain Trail at Johnson’s Shut Ins in Middlebrook, Missouri is a 10 mile trail that passes through 5,000 acres of forest in the Goggins Mountain Wild Area. This loop can be rather difficult due to some of the uphill climbs and rocky creeks. There are no roads or power lines in this area and riders should bring along an ample supply of drinking water.
http://mostateparks.com/park/johnsons-shut-ins-state-park
Katy Trail State Park
Horses are permitted on a 25 mile stretch of the Katy Trail between Calhoun and the State Fairgrounds in Sedalia. This flat, wide path is mostly shaded and riders can park their trailers in the trailhead parking lots along the equestrian section of the trail.
http://mostateparks.com/park/katy-trail-state-park
Knob Noster State Park
The McAdoo Trail System at Knob Noster State Park in Knob Noster, Missouri is 7.5 miles long. Equestrians riding this dirt trail will ride through bottomland and upland forests, several creeks, up steep grades and inclines.
http://mostateparks.com/park/knob-noster-state-park
Lake Wappapello State Park
The Lake Wappapello Trail in Williamsville, Missouri is 12.75 miles long and riders can see shoreline views, open fields and Ozark hillsides. There is a large equestrian trailer parking lot at the trailhead end of Wappapello Trail Road.
http://mostateparks.com/park/lake-wappapello-state-park
Lake of the Ozarks State Park
Lake of the Ozarks State Park in Kaiser, Missouri has three equestrian trails. Springs Trail is 2.5 miles and travels through woodlands to bluff tops above the lake. Trail of Four Winds is 13.5 miles and you will see views of the lake, rocks, outcrops, streams, ponds and woodlands. White Oak Trail is .70 mile and is a fairly flat trail that runs along a ridge.
http://mostateparks.com/park/lake-ozarks-state-park
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park
Gans Creek Wild Area Trail System at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park in Columbia, Missouri is 8.5 miles long. The 750 acre Gans Creek Wild Area has numerous small streams bordered by high bluffs. The equestrian trail is open from July 1 to October 31 when the trails are dry.
http://mostateparks.com/park/rock-bridge-memorial-state-park
Route 66 State Park
Route 66 State Park in Eureka, Missouri has four trails for horseback riders. The “W” Trail is .50 mile and runs through a wooded section of the park. The Inner Loop Trail is 2 miles long and a segment of the trail is shared with two-way traffic. Outer Loop Trail is 3.25 miles long and a small portion of the trail lies on Route 66. South Loop Trail is 1.5 miles long and the first .6 mile of the trail is paved. Equestrian parking is allowed in the trailhead parking area.
http://mostateparks.com/park/route-66-state-park
St. François State Park
St. Francois State Park in Bonne Terre, Missouri permits horseback riders at the Pike Run Trail. This trail is 10.25 miles long and is located on the underdeveloped 2,256 acre Coonville Creek Wild Area. This relatively difficult trail has numerous water crossings and steep inclines.
http://mostateparks.com/park/st-francois-state-park
St. Joe State Park
St. Joe Park in Park Hills, Missouri has two equestrian trails. The Hickory Ridge Trail is 4 miles long and the Pine Ridge Trail is 13 miles long. Both trails have some steep, rocky inclines along with level surfaces. The equestrian staging area has a paved parking lot, picnic tables, barbecue grills, a vault toilet and hitching posts.
http://mostateparks.com/park/st-joe-state-park
Trail of Tears State Park
The Peewah Trail at the Trail of Tears State Park in Jackson, Missouri is 10 miles long. Riders will travel along bottomlands, cross several creeks and climb a steep hill out of the valley to the top of the ridge. Equestrians may park their trailers on the grass outside the overlook gate at the west loop entrance.
http://mostateparks.com/park/trail-tears-state-park
Watkins Mill State Park
The Equestrian Trail System at the Watkins Mill State Park in Lawson, Missouri is 4 miles of an open grassy area that follows a ridge down to a creek. Riders should use caution when riding down the steep slopes to the two creek crossings. The trail parking lot is big enough to park 8 to 10 horse trailers.
http://mostateparks.com/park/watkins-mill-state-park