Hiking across Missouri can be quite educational, especially if you take any of these 11 trails that lead to some incredible pieces of history. From national monuments to ancient caves there are amazing stops along these Missouri trails. Take advantage of the amazing weather and hit some of these great nature trails before the end of the season.
- George Washington Carver National Monument Trail - Diamond
Doug Neidholdt/AllTrails This one mile loop is located at the birth place of famous botanist George Washington Carver. Take the trail around the cabin and check out the pre-civil war cemetery. Find the trail at 5646 Carver Rd., Diamond.
- Parker Hollow access to Nichols Farm - Salem
Doug Neidholdt/AllTrails The Nichols Farm is a lasting reminder of how people lived in the Ozarks. This quaint farm is now persevered as a part of the Ozark Scenic Riverways and can be accessed from Parker Hollow trail. This out-and-back trail is less than a mile and is popular among hikers and horseback riders. Find the trail at County Rd. 652, Jadwin.
- Graham Cave Loop - Danville
Andrew Davis/AllTrails Graham Cave is an important site in the history of Missouri. Archaeologists who studied Graham Cave believe that Native Americans lived inside the cave between 8,000 and 10,00 years ago. This 2.7 mile loop features a wet-weather waterfall and the ancient cave. Find the park at 217 Highway TT, Danville.
- Alley Spring Overlook Trail - Eminence
Edward So/AllTrails Alley Springs is easily one of the most beautiful historic sites in the state. The beautiful blue water and the bright red mill make for an idyllic setting. Take this 1.4 mile loop for an informative and stunning hike. Find Alley Springs six miles west of Eminence on State Route 106.
- Cave Springs - Kansas City
Jason Bell/AllTrails Cave Springs Park in Kansas City is full of history. Once a major stop along the Sante Fe Trail, because of the natural stream, this area was also home to a nature camp during the early 1900s. By the 1940s the camp was abandonded and looters set fires to the cabins. Today, all that is left for the camp are the iconic stone chimneys. Take the one mie trail through the park to see the chimneys lake, and cave. You can find the park at 8701 E. Gregory Blvd., Raytown.
- Fort Bellefontaine Loop Trail - St. Louis
Renee Wilmesherr/AllTrails Fort Belle Fontaine was an important gathering place in the formative years of the Show Me State. The stone fortresses can be seen from the Fort Bellefontaine Loop Trail which is a moderate 2.9 mile trail. Find the park just 25 minutes north of downtown St. Louis at 13002 Bellefontaine Rd., St. Louis.
- Union Covered Bridge - Paris
Doug Neidholdt/AllTrails Union Covered Bridge, built in 1871, is one of only four remaining covered bridges left in Missouri. This short and easy trail leads right to the bridge where you can find a kiosk detailing the bridge’s long history. This hike is also ADA friendly. Find the Union Covered Bridge loop at 20700 Monroe County Road 962, Paris.
- Dillard Mill Walk - Davisville
Doug Neidholdt/AllTrails Another beautiful and historic mill can be found on Huzzah Creek. Dillard Mill is one of the states best-preserved gristmills, completed in 1908. Find the historic site and take the 1.4 mile Dillard Mill Walk at 142 Dillard Mill Rd., Davisville.
- Osage Bluff Scenic Trail -Folk
Craig F./AllTrails This ancient Native American cairn can be found in the Painted Rock Conservation Area along the Osage Bluff Scenic Trail. This burial site is thought to be between 500 and 1,500 years old. Find this 1.9 mile loop trail on Highway 133, seven miles west of Westphalia.
- Forest Park Trail - St. Louis
Jenny Bellman/AllTrails Forest Park has been voted the nations best city parks and it’s easy to see why. The 6.6 mile trail is great for brisk walks, bike riding, and rollerblading. There are many historically important landmarks throughout Forest Park that are located along the trail. Find Forest Park at 5595 Grand Dr., St. Louis.
- Castle Trail - Camdenton
Lacey McCall/AllTrails For a short hike with stunning views take Castle Trail at Ha Ha Tonka State Park. The trail leads to the castle ruins of the wealthy Snyder family. Check out the trail at 1491 State Rd. D, Camdenton.
Have you taken any of these historical hiking trails? Tell us about your trip in the comments below.
Doug Neidholdt/AllTrails
This one mile loop is located at the birth place of famous botanist George Washington Carver. Take the trail around the cabin and check out the pre-civil war cemetery. Find the trail at 5646 Carver Rd., Diamond.
The Nichols Farm is a lasting reminder of how people lived in the Ozarks. This quaint farm is now persevered as a part of the Ozark Scenic Riverways and can be accessed from Parker Hollow trail. This out-and-back trail is less than a mile and is popular among hikers and horseback riders. Find the trail at County Rd. 652, Jadwin.
Andrew Davis/AllTrails
Graham Cave is an important site in the history of Missouri. Archaeologists who studied Graham Cave believe that Native Americans lived inside the cave between 8,000 and 10,00 years ago. This 2.7 mile loop features a wet-weather waterfall and the ancient cave. Find the park at 217 Highway TT, Danville.
Edward So/AllTrails
Alley Springs is easily one of the most beautiful historic sites in the state. The beautiful blue water and the bright red mill make for an idyllic setting. Take this 1.4 mile loop for an informative and stunning hike. Find Alley Springs six miles west of Eminence on State Route 106.
Jason Bell/AllTrails
Cave Springs Park in Kansas City is full of history. Once a major stop along the Sante Fe Trail, because of the natural stream, this area was also home to a nature camp during the early 1900s. By the 1940s the camp was abandonded and looters set fires to the cabins. Today, all that is left for the camp are the iconic stone chimneys. Take the one mie trail through the park to see the chimneys lake, and cave. You can find the park at 8701 E. Gregory Blvd., Raytown.
Renee Wilmesherr/AllTrails
Fort Belle Fontaine was an important gathering place in the formative years of the Show Me State. The stone fortresses can be seen from the Fort Bellefontaine Loop Trail which is a moderate 2.9 mile trail. Find the park just 25 minutes north of downtown St. Louis at 13002 Bellefontaine Rd., St. Louis.
Union Covered Bridge, built in 1871, is one of only four remaining covered bridges left in Missouri. This short and easy trail leads right to the bridge where you can find a kiosk detailing the bridge’s long history. This hike is also ADA friendly. Find the Union Covered Bridge loop at 20700 Monroe County Road 962, Paris.
Another beautiful and historic mill can be found on Huzzah Creek. Dillard Mill is one of the states best-preserved gristmills, completed in 1908. Find the historic site and take the 1.4 mile Dillard Mill Walk at 142 Dillard Mill Rd., Davisville.
Craig F./AllTrails
This ancient Native American cairn can be found in the Painted Rock Conservation Area along the Osage Bluff Scenic Trail. This burial site is thought to be between 500 and 1,500 years old. Find this 1.9 mile loop trail on Highway 133, seven miles west of Westphalia.
Jenny Bellman/AllTrails
Forest Park has been voted the nations best city parks and it’s easy to see why. The 6.6 mile trail is great for brisk walks, bike riding, and rollerblading. There are many historically important landmarks throughout Forest Park that are located along the trail. Find Forest Park at 5595 Grand Dr., St. Louis.
Lacey McCall/AllTrails
For a short hike with stunning views take Castle Trail at Ha Ha Tonka State Park. The trail leads to the castle ruins of the wealthy Snyder family. Check out the trail at 1491 State Rd. D, Camdenton.
Looking for more great hiking trails in the Show Me State? Check out these 10 trails in Missouri that are under 3 miles.
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