Fall is approaching and Columbia offers so many great opportunities to get outside and enjoy it!  I’m going to share a few local places to get moving this fall and a few tips & tricks to remember while you’re on the move!

Places to go:

The MKT trail:

The MKT trail is a great option that has multiple access points throughout Columbia.  It is great if you’re by yourself or with family/friends/pets.  It is a pretty wide and flat trail that is perfect for walking, biking, or running!  With access points all throughout town, there are many other connecting trails as well that meet the MKT trail.  Search for some trails near your neighborhood to find out if they connect to the MKT!

The Katy Trail:

The Katy Trail runs across the entire state of Missouri from Kansas City to St. Louis.  It is also a pretty wide and flat trail that is great for walking, biking, or running!  The Katy Trail follows closely to the Missouri River so there are some great sights to see along the way.  The MKT trail connects to the Katy Trail here in Columbia and there are plenty of access points to park your car or tie up your bike and enjoy some solitude by the river at Cooper’s Landing (one of my favorite places)!  You will find a multitude of beautiful, fun places to explore and food to eat along the Katy Trail as you hit each town along its route!

Rock Bridge State Park:

This beautiful state park offers things to do for all levels of activity!  There are many hiking trails of various lengths and difficulty so there is something for everyone.  A popular site to visit here is Devil’s Ice Box, a cave on the property that is open at certain times throughout the year, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the bats hibernation!  There are also some great mountain biking trails to try out at Rock Bridge if you’re feeling adventurous!

Tips & Tricks:

• Always bring a bottle of water!  Even if you don’t plan on going for a long walk/hike/run/bike, it is SUPER important to always have water with you to stay hydrated!

• I also always recommend taking a snack with you as well, whether it’s a granola bar, beef jerky, even a couple cookies!  You never know when you might need that little boost of energy.

• Depending on the time of year and time of day, it may be a good idea to think about either sunscreen, bug spray, or both!

• If you have pets with you, make sure you keep them on a leash, no matter how well behaved they are, it helps keep them safe.  Also, please please please remember to pick up after your pet!  Even if it’s in the woods where other animals go, our fur babies have a different diet than the woodland animals and it can still impact their environment!

-Elizabeth