Missouri

Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is located near Columbia, Missouri and has over 2,000 acres to explore. The park is known for its unique rock formations, including the rock bridge, sinkholes, and an underground stream at the Devil's Icebox cave.To reach the Devil's Icebox cave, start at the Devil's Icebox parking lot and find the trailhead. The hike is only 0.5 miles long, which includes a loop...

This park is best known for its castle ruins, which are also worth a visit. On the Colosseum Trail, you will hike down through a large 150ft deep sinkhole (the Colosseum) and under a natural stone bridge. After climbing out of the sinkhole you will reach a ridge with nice views. In spring, you will be in the company of blooming dogwoods and wildflowers.

The area is preserved for these amazing geological wonders. Huge boulders that stand end-to-end like a train of circus elephants fill the park. You can hike through the area and even boulder on top of the rocks. Short trails are found between and around the 'elephants!'

A short day trip from Kansas City, Weston Bend State Park offers a nice getaway for those seeking the outdoors.How to get there: Weston Bend State Park is approximately 35 miles northwest of Kansas City. From Kansas City take I-29 N to exit 20 for Weston. Turn left on MO-371 N. Continue onto MO-273 N. Turn right on the first stop light to stay on MO-273 N. Prior to entering Weston, turn left ...

Rocky Falls are located only a short hike away from the parking lot. The swimming hole is also popular, and the adventurous can climb up to the rock face to reach the top of the falls.

An offshoot from the Ozark Trail, the Bell Mountain Loop trail offers a 12 mile loop (when starting from the HWY A trail head) that works perfectly as a beginner backpacking trip. The Ozark Trail website offers excellent maps for all sections of the trail (for free!), click here.Day 1: Hike 7.5 miles, camp at summit of Bell MountainStarting from the HWY A trail head, head north along the connec...

Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is located near Columbia, Missouri and has over 2,000 acres to explore. The Shooting Star Bluffs are roughly a 1/2 of a mile into the Gans Creek Wild Area Trail System. There's a fork in the trail, so stay to the left to see the bluffs. You will see an opening in the trees along the trail on the right, where there is a 100-foot drop off. This is where you will fi...

This hike in Castlewood State Park gives you multiple vantage points on the Meramec River. Follow the red arrows as the trail heads out on the bluffs. You will then descend a staircase into the valley, leading to the river and a floodplain forest.

Large rock formations, picturesque creeks, and wildflowers are all found along this trail. The full day hike can be either split in half via a connector trail, or lengthened into a multi-day backpacking trip, as there are three camping sites off the trail.