MTB (Dirt) Trails

I need to find MTB dirt trails where I can ride my full suspension trail bike.

"Bootlegger, Cliff Cave, Bangert are going to be the best intro trails."

✓ Arnold City Park

There are at least two unofficial dirt trails at Arnold City Park where I can ride. I doubt I'll ride them often, but they are a place I can some experience riding the new bike.

✓ Lower Meramec Park

In addition to the two mile paved trail, there is a network of dirt trail and mowed corridor in this park. It's all flat, with no dips or creek crossings. This is now my favorite local "easy" dirt trail. I wonder how much of the time it will be under water.

✓ Flamm City Access / Teszars Woods

There is a dirt trail at Flamm City Access going into Teszars Woods Conservation Area. It is on the MDC's map, so I'm taking that to mean that it's legit.

✓ Castlewood State Park

The premiere place for trail biking. I have explored the trails in the lower part of the park fairly well, but there appears to be an extensive trail system in the upper part of the park that I've never seen.

✓ Upper Cliff Cave park

Ironically, the old dirt trails in the woods near where I grew up are now popular for mountain biking. Update: I have ridden some of these trails (the "outer loop"), but I need to explore the rest and become familiar with the layout. Also, these trails are busy and perhaps a bit advanced for me.

✓ Meramec Landing Park

In Valley Park, the "BMX Track" where the dirt crits are. Fairly easy "beginner" trails: not flat, not straight, but no risky features.

✓ Chubb Trail

Starting in West Tyson County Park, passing through the part of Castlewood State Park on the south side of the Meramec River, and evidently ending up in Lone Elk Park. I have ridden the lower part of the trail, but the upper part in West Tyson seems to be beyond my skill level.

✓ Whitecliff Park

In Crestwood. There is a gravel loop and a bunch of little dirt trails. No features really, but a fair amount of grade.

St. Joe State Park

I have seen people riding mountain bikes in the woods, and indeed it is allowed. If so, on what trails?

• ✓ Galena Trail, 7.8 miles
• Hickory Ridge Trail, 4.0 miles
• Pine Ridge Trail, 12.6 miles

Howell Island

I took the Sirrus here once, and it was a bit much for that bike. It ought to be great for my trail bike, or even my fatbike.

Eureka Mountain Bike Park

Doesn't look very big.

Zombie Trail

In West County

Bootlegger's Run Trail

East of Creve Coeur Lake, evidently within the park.

Greensfelder Park

The trail probably has a name, like DeClue or Beulah. The Strava Global Heatmap shows a lot of biking activity on trails that look like they must be MTB trails inside Greensfelder Park. It's worth bringing my bike and checking it out.

Bluffview Trail

In Eureka.

Sheppard Mountain Bike Park

Sheppard Mountain Bike Park down near Taum Sauk Mountain, supposedly MTB only (not multi-use).

Klaus Park

I believe there is some kind of MTB trail at Klaus Park outside of Cape Girardeau.

Wolf Creek Bike Trail

Near Poplar Bluff

Ozark Trail

I should figure out exactly which sections I am allowed to ride on, and then keep track of which parts I have covered.

Route 66 Hike & Bike Trail, Lake Lou Yeager, Litchfield

A new "beginner friendly" trail being built near Litchfield, Illinois.

Recommendations from Shawn:

1. Matson Hill Park
2. Lost Valley Trail - I think I've hiked this trail, and it's one of the trails that made me consider getting a mountain bike
3. Broemmelsiek Park