The Columbia Trail System features a variety of trails in different settings - parks, nature sanctuaries, along creeks and through wooded areas - with a variety of trail surfaces for runners, walkers, wheelers, and bicyclists. Amenities along the trails, such as water fountains, restrooms, and bike repair stations, are provided to make your journey easier. You can find the location of these amenities on the trails map. Choose the trail type in the box on the top right, and a list of trails will appear.
Trails have long been important to the quality of life for Columbians. In a 2015 city-wide citizen survey, it was found that 82 percent of Columbia households use the trail system! In fact, this love of trails extends outside Columbia's borders - the state of Missouri in 2013 was named the "Best Trails State" by American Trails, a national, nonprofit organization working on behalf of the nation's hiking, biking and riding trails. Columbia Parks and Recreation is proud to contribute to this designation.
This concrete 0.25-trail that circles the 6.8-acre Lions-Stephens Park was designed primarily for use as a physical fitness exercise circuit, but may also be used for walking or jogging.
This gravel trail circles the pond and loops around the perimeter of the park. The trail routes around and connects all the park amenities - the pond, shelter, playground, basketball court and playfield.
The gravel trail loops around the perimeter of this 9.4-acre park. The trail can be accessed from Manhasset Dr. on the east or Louisville Dr. on the west.
The MKT Trail is Columbia's premiere multi-use trail. It ranked second in the nation for "Best Urban Trail" in the 2016 USA Today's 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards. This 10-foot wide trail built on the old railbed of the MKT railroad begins in downtown Columbia in Flat Branch Park at 4th and Cherry Streets. The all-weather crushed limestone surface provides opportunities for walking, running, and cycling. The City's 4.7 mile MKT links to Boone County's 4.2 miles of trail at the southwest edge of the city at Scott Blvd. The County's trail connects with the State of Missouri's Katy Trail State Park near McBaine. The distance from the start of the MKT Trail to the Katy Trail is 8.9 miles. The KATY Trail extends for 240 miles from St. Charles in eastern Missouri to Sedalia in western Missouri.
Trail Miles: 8.9 miles, limestone (4.7 miles - City of Columbia, 4.2 miles - Boone County)
Visitors may wander around the grounds of the historic Maplewood Farm site or choose to walk the 1.3 miles of trail to explore the natural wooded area of the park. Other amenities of Nifong Park include a lake, a reservable shelter, and the Maplewood Barn with an outdoor theater.
Located off Green Meadows Rd. on Lynnwood Dr., this 10-acre neighborhood park has a 0.3-mile gravel trail well-suited for walking in a natural wooded setting.
This gravel trail encircles the 40-acre lake at A. Perry Philips Park. Trail users can enjoy a view of the lake busy with fishers and boaters (trolling motors only). There are two single table shelters along the lake trail to provide a shady place to picnic.
Take a nature walk from the picnic area to Bear Creek on the nature trail in Proctor Park. The path makes a small circle through a wooded area and leads to Bear Creek Dr.
This challenging mountain bike course was designed by the 1996 Olympics key course designers. The trailhead is east of Antimi Baseball/Softball Complex in Cosmo Park.
This 19-acre park features a 0.6-mile gravel walking trail loop with varying grades that encircles the park's picnic shelter, pond, playground, large playing fields, and Rock Quarry House. The park is located just off Grindstone Pkwy., which can be accessed from either Rock Quarry Rd. or Old Hwy. 63 via Ponderosa St.
The trail begins at Bonnie View Nature Sanctuary located at 3300 Rollins Rd. and travels south to Chapel Hill Rd. There is a trail connector through Fairview Park to Fairview Elementary School to provide a safe and enjoyable route to school for students.
The gravel trail follows the west and south sides of this triangle-shaped park and connects to the sidewalk along Smiley Lane, forming a 0.4-mile loop.
400 W. Smiley Ln.
Trail Miles: 0.4 mile, limestone and concrete sidewalk
The 0.3-mile gravel trail encircles the 6.1 acres leased from the Evangelical Free Church. The trail loops around the baseball/softball practice field and passes along some wooded areas.
The South Providence Trail runs alongside Providence Rd. from Old Plank Rd. to Green Meadows Rd. By use of the crosswalk at Providence and Old Plank Rd., trail users can commute from Rock Bridge Elementary School to Green Meadows Rd. Users can access the trail at any Providence Rd. intersection along the way.
Trail Miles: 1.7 miles, concrete with limestone side path
Stephens Lake Park trails have something for everyone. Two trails, including a 0.6-mile lake trail and a 1.7-mile perimeter trail, allow park users to enjoy the scenic views as they walk, run, bike, or wheel.
A sidewalk from Garden Dr. leads east to the playground area. The sidewalk turns into a gravel trail at the bridge, travels east around the park, circling back west the length of the park, and leads back to Garden Dr.
A 0.25-mile walking trail meanders through the wooded area in Westwinds Park using two wooden bridges to cross a natural creek. Parts of the trail climb steep grades in the woods. The trail then becomes concrete as it circles around the playground and picnic shelter to the park entrance.
This 0.4 mile concrete trail loops around the perimeter of the park and includes the sidewalk on Lansing Drive. Visitors may enjoy stopping to sit and rest at the council ring located in a shady area off the trail. The trail travels mostly through the wooded areas of the park and connects the inclusive playground at the south of the park with the playfields at the north end of the park. There is trail connector to the Ronald McDonald House to the west.
3505 Lansing Avenue
Trail Miles: 0.4 mile (includes sidewalk along Lansing Ave.), concrete
