I love all of our parks, but I have a soft spot for Stephens Lake Park. I spent time there in college studying with friends, had a sushi date with my long-distance bestie on one of the benches while people-watching … and my canine companion is a big fan, too.
— Kelsey Winkeljohn
I agree with Kelsey about how many awesome parks we have! Our favorite is probably the Fairview Park. We go there for the playground (as well as Fairview’s school playground), the wooded nature area with its hidden trails and ponds, the 9-hole disc golf course, and the available shelter/bathroom. It is such an awesome place to spend time with our boys and get into nature, but right in the middle of town!
— Garrett Walker
Rockbridge State Park for hiking and trail running.
— Ashley Lasiter
Grindstone Nature area has a piece of my heart. I used to walk down to the trailhead from my apartment and wander until I couldn’t walk anymore. The creek and bridge are breathtaking!
— Fleet Feet of Columbia
The MKT, a roughly nine-mile trail from Flat Branch Park in downtown Columbia to the Katy Trail trailhead at McBaine, is one of the city’s most prized treasures. It intersects some amazing ecosystems along Hinkson and Perche creeks. The 3M wetland is a bird watcher’s haven and the trailhead at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial at Battle Gardens is well worth the experience.
— Jodie Jackson Jr.
Bear Creek Trail. Lots of full bluebird houses and water life in pond.
— Melissa Vogt
B Hinkson Creek Trail at the Grindstone Nature Area trailhead. All the flatness of the MKT but more curves and varying views. A true COMO gem.
— Jeremy Bloss
onnieview!! Beautiful sunsets on a completely paved path through wildflowers, beautiful woods, and a bird sanctuary. Can’t beat the accessibility!
— Nichole Salas
Capen park off leash area.
— Suzanne Claus Rothwell
All areas of Grindstone Creek trail and grindstone nature area (including waters moss memorial wildlife area)! Family friendly and not too technical plus’s paved portions to the east of old 63. So many beautiful trees and the leaves in the fall are literal lots of wildlife (deer, turtles, snakes, and fish) and there are some great connecting trails. CoMo has an amazing trail system! If I can have two: Probably high ridge trail is tied with grindstone. Super easy hike with lots of habitat variation in a short distance: grasslands, forest creek bottoms, bluffs. Lots of great wildflowers in the spring. Beautiful views!
— Caleb Knerr
Is Pinnacles out of “city” area? If not, I have lots of reasons why it’s my favorite!
— Katie Barnes
Editor’s Note: Thank you for showing Pinnacles some love, Katie. The 70-acre Pinnacles Youth Park is neither a city nor a state park, but is operated and maintained by the Boone County Pinnacles Youth Foundation, using only donations and volunteer labor. It receives no government funding. It has been enjoyed by local folks for more than 50 years now and it is open to the public for day use. Scouts, church and 4-H groups, etc. can camp overnight. Pinnacles is about 12 miles north of Columbia on the east side of Highway 63.
