3 Picture-Perfect Nature Trails in Missouri for a Spring Hike

I’ve waited for months for the return of spring’s floral-scented breezes and birdsong beckoning from the forests. I bet you have, too, so let’s hit the dirt and head out on my favorite nature trails in Missouri with early blossoms.

3 Picture-Perfect Nature Trails in Missouri for a Spring Hike 

I’m not from Missouri, but that’s exactly where I want to be in early April. I hail from a little farther north, and early spring is when I lose my patience with the post-winter sticks season. Every year, without fail, I find myself tiptoeing through the tulips in the Show-Me State by the first week in April. And based on the abundant blooms I’ve found over the years, these are my favorite easy spring hikes in Missouri. 

How To Find This Hidden Gem at Lake of the Ozarks

It probably won’t surprise you to hear me say the best hiking trails in Missouri are in the Ozarks. I mean, how could it not be with over 430 miles of trails dazzling us with cerulean springs, verdant valleys, and epic sunsets? Even so, most hikers will continue to flock to the same top-rated hikes in Missouri, but my favorite isn’t on that list. For me, nothing beats the Lake Trail at Lake of the Ozarks State Park. This trail is where I can reliably catch the dogwood trees in bloom long before anyone is braving the trail. You can pick up the 3-mile loop within the park campgrounds, a beautiful, tree-covered bluff that winds down into Watson Hollow Cove. It’s a steep, rocky hike with phenomenal views of the lake and a forest full of white blooming dogwood trees. If you take it slow, it’s not a difficult hike, just be sure to wear the appropriate shoes for a trail with muddy patches, slippery rocks, and early-season moss that hasn’t been trampled yet. 

Tips for Planning a Spring Hike at Alley Spring

Alley Spring is another off-the-beaten-path beauty. Some might say the Overlook Trail here is among the most scenic trails in Missouri. This 1.7-mile hike loops through the characteristically hilly woodlands, offering varied views of the idyllic blue, spring-fed river and the historic red mill. It’s jaw-dropping in any season, but I especially appreciate it in early April, when the river looks like a saturated stroke of paint in the otherwise sleepy forest, still waking from its not-so-distant winter slumber. If you feel the urge to jump in the water, you can’t do it near the mill, but you can at the nearby Alley Spring Campground. In early to mid-April, the eastern redbud trees along the riverbanks adjacent to the campground bloom with spectacular purple flowers. 

When To Visit for Peak Scenery at Smithville Lake

Stepping away from the wilds of the Missouri Ozarks, the Smoke and Davey Trailhead is less than an hour's drive from the Kansas City metro. I love this trail in early April, when the eastern redbud trees burst into magenta blooms. The great thing about redbuds is their incredible range of spring colors, from soft pink to vibrant purple to deep wine red. But the magenta blossoms are my favorite, and they are abundant along this 5-mile trail network, which combines three smaller trails looping around Smithville Lake. The Backbone Trail is the best pick for an easy, paved trail that's great for bikes, strollers, and walking. 

Spring is the perfect time to appreciate each of these water-view hikes in Missouri, when the blooming trees decorate the shorelines. Pick the Lake Trail for the opportunity to challenge yourself, the Backbone section of the Smoke and Davey Trailhead for something easy breezy, or the Alley Springs Overlook if you’re looking for an immersive nature escape. And don't forget to leave no trace and keep Missouri parks clean for many generations to come.