MDC Outdoor Recreation Spotlight: 5 mountain biking opportunities in northeast Missouri

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages Missourians to find ways to connect with nature as the weather warms up, in ways consistent with COVID-19 health guidelines.

Careful use of conservation areas and mountain biking on Missouri’s public trails can provide excellent opportunities to embrace physical distancing, boost physical and mental health, and discover nature.

“Mountain biking is an exciting way to experience the outdoors, and MDC and our partners have trails for cyclists of all skill levels,” said MDC Recreational Use Specialist A.J. Campbell.

Mountain bikes offer trail users the ability to cover more distance than hiking, and experience more of Missouri’s diverse geography and ecological communities. Mountain biking also presents unique challenges and requires some preparation and planning to stay safe.

Always bike safely on Missouri trails:

• Make a plan and tell someone where you’re going and when you plan to return.
• Wear a helmet.
• Stay on the trail.
• Use caution, manage speed, and anticipate trail obstructions.
• Share the trail, announce when passing hikers, horse riders, and other trail users.
• Prepare for bike repairs and other emergencies; pack food, water, sanitizer, lights, and anything else you may need if your trip takes longer than planned.
• Maintain physical distancing, wear a mask when appropriate, protect yourself and others from disease by following health guidelines while on the trail, and while traveling to- and from your destination.

MDC allows bicycles on conservation area roads and trails open to vehicle traffic, and on designated trails, except where posted. Conservation areas offer plenty of mountain biking opportunities across northeast Missouri, just a short drive from home. Learn more about these, and other mountain biking opportunities at nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places, and download the MO Outdoors App for mobile devices.

Sugar Creek Conservation Area

• Uses: Hike, mountain bike, and horseback
• Length: Approximately 10-miles total; multiple loops
• Surface: Dirt, rock, gravel
• Difficulty level: Moderate
• Unique features: Scenic, hilly woodlands and a waterfall on Elm Creek

Located west of Kirksville in Adair County. This area offers three trail loops: 2-, 3-, and 5-miles each, that can be combined to form a 10-mile loop. Cyclists can access the multi-use trails from multiple points on the area and ride through scenic, hilly woodlands. These trails are closed to bikes and horses during firearms deer hunting seasons and spring turkey hunting season. The area also offers primitive camping, a shooting range, and disabled-accessible privy.

Steyermark Woods Conservation Area

• Uses: Hike and mountain bike
• Length: Approximately 1.3 miles total; single loop
• Surface: Dirt
• Difficulty level: Moderate to difficult
• Unique features: Single track trail through a beautiful, old forest.

Located inside the city limits of Hannibal in Marion County. A single loop trail travels through the rich woodlands of the Mississippi River Hills in the area’s 73-acre tract, including old-growth forest, with diverse understory trees, shrubs, and ferns adorning the forest floor. Trailhead access from County Road 410 on the north side of the city. MDC worked with local volunteers to develop this trail.

Deer Ridge Conservation Area

• Uses: Hike, mountain bike, and horseback
• Length: Approximately 17.4-miles total; multiple loops
• Surface: Dirt
• Difficulty level: Moderate
• Unique features: Beautiful woods, excellent camping and day-use facilities

Located north of Lewiston in Lewis County. This area offers approximately 17.4-miles of multi-use trails, winding through diverse woodlands and wetlands. The trail system consists of many loops of varying lengths and difficulty levels, allowing cyclists to customize their experience. The area also offers several shady primitive camping areas with picnic tables and fire rings. There are also multiple pavilions with picnic tables near the area’s 48-acre lake, fishing accesses, firearms and archery ranges, and disabled-accessible privies. These trails are closed to bikes and horses during firearms deer hunting seasons and spring turkey hunting season. The NEMO Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen of Missouri helps MDC maintain this trail.

Big Creek Conservation Area

• Uses: Hike and mountain bike
• Length: Approximately 1-mile; one-way
• Surface: Dirt
• Difficulty level: Moderate
• Unique feature: Access to neighboring state park’s large trail system

Located southwest of Kirksville in Adair County. This area offers a 1-mile trail segment that travels through grasslands and woods, eventually connecting users to the trails on neighboring Thousand Hills State Park. Cyclists can ride the 1-mile trail segment out-and-back or complete an additional 3-mile loop on Thousand Hills State Park before returning. Trailhead access located approximately 1-mile west of Kirksville at the end of County Road 226 (Rainbow Basin Trail). The area also offers primitive camping and several fishing ponds. F.L.A.T.S. helps the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and MDC maintain these trails.

Henry Sever Lake Conservation Area

• Uses: Hike, mountain bike, and horseback
• Length: 6.5-miles; partial loop that can be completed with public roads.
• Surface: Dirt
• Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
• Unique features: Excellent camping and day use facilities near Henry Sever Lake

Located approximately halfway between Kirksville and Quincy, IL, in Knox County. This area features a 6.5-mile trail that forms a partial loop around Henry Sever Lake. Cyclists can complete the loop by riding rural roads on the north and east side of the area. The trail provides great wildflower viewing opportunities in the spring and summer and wildlife viewing opportunities year-round. This area also offers several shady primitive camping areas with picnic tables and fire rings, as well as a pavilion with picnic tables near the area’s 158-acre lake. Trail access from the main parking lot on Missouri Highway KK just north of Newark. These trails are closed to bikes and horses during firearms deer hunting seasons and spring turkey hunting season.

Find other excellent mountain biking opportunities in central Missouri at Thousand Hills State Park near Kirksville, and Wakanda State Park near La Grange.