Hiking trails in Missouri

Hiking trails in Missouri span every kind of public land the state has to offer — state parks, national forests, recreation areas, county preserves, and a few NPS units. Trail Compass currently lists 10 trails across 1 parks in Missouri, organised by difficulty so you can land on the right route in a few clicks.

Browse by difficulty using the four filter cards directly below, or scroll to the full state trail table. Easy and moderate routes dominate near the population centers; hard and expert routes cluster in the higher, more remote corners of the Great Plains, Black Hills, and badlands.

Best hiking season across Missouri is generally May through October; summer thunderstorms build fast and lightning is the primary objective hazard on exposed grassland. Shorter walks at lower elevations stay accessible longer than alpine routes — if you are hiking in a shoulder month, lean toward state-park trails near urban centers and save the high country for peak season.

Expect to share the trail with pronghorn, bison herds inside protected reserves, prairie dogs, golden eagles, and rattlesnakes in the warmer months. Carry bear spray where signage advises it, store food properly, and remember that the wildlife was here first.

Pick a difficulty tier from the filter cards below, or jump straight to a specific park.