A new year means new beginnings, the chance to start over, or to keep moving ahead on the path we’re already on. It’s also a time for reflection on what we’ve accomplished in the previous year and what we hope to experience in the year ahead. These seven winter hikes for backpacking in Missouri promise an idyllic backdrop for breathing in the fresh air, getting in tune with nature, and for reflecting on the year ahead. Just be sure to bundle up and gather your winter travel essentials before you hit the trails!

1. Bell Mountain Loop Trail – Belleview
Bell Mountain Wilderness, C C Rd, Belleview, MO 63623, USA
All Trails/Salar Esfahani
Bundle up – and bring plenty of water and snacks – for your trek along the 11.6-mile Bell Mountain Loop Trail. If you’re up for a quiet hike where you’ll have plenty of time to reflect, you’ll probably like this trail that’s not really that busy with hikers. Hike along the trail that’s dotted with trees, particularly pretty in snow caps, and pass Shut-In Creek and Joe’s Creek.
2. Greer Spring Trail – Alton
Greer Spring, Woodside Township, MO 65606, USA
All Trails/Conway Hawn
Up for a bit of a challenge? One of the most beautiful hikes in Missouri, the Greer Spring Trail in Alton, which is rated moderate, promises some challenging terrain, but you’ll definitely enjoy the rewards. Like Bell Mountain Loop Trail, Greer Spring Trail is relatively quiet. You’ll also pass by a waterfall as you trek through old growth forest.
3. Natural Tunnel Trail – Lebanon
Bennett Spring State Park, 26250 MO-64A, Lebanon, MO 65536, USA
All Trails/Jeff Lauridsen
Head to Bennett Spring State Park for a breathtakingly beautiful hike along the Natural Tunnel Trail. The trail spans 7.5 miles and can get quite crowded with hikers. (You might luck out and find it quieter during the winter months, however. It's some of the best hiking in February.) The highlight of the trail is, arguably, the 300-foot natural tunnel known as Spring Hollow.

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4. Lone Wolf Trail – Ballwin
1401 Kiefer Creek Rd, Ballwin, MO 63021, USA
All Trails/James Catalfamo
Tucked in Castlewood State Park, Lone Wolf Trail spans just 1.7-miles, making it an idyllic hike if you’re looking for something short and sweet. However, the trail is rated moderate as you’ll have to do some hiking uphill. That climb, however, promises spectacular views – particularly after a fresh snowfall – of Kiefer Creek.
5. Mina Sauk Falls Trail – Middle Brook
Mina Sauk Falls, Arcadia Township, MO 63650, USA
All Trails/Nicole Wilson
Mina Sauk Falls Trail, in Taum Mountain State Park, comes in at just under three miles. However, be prepared for a challenging hike, especially during the winter when there’s snow and ice. Wear sturdy boots and bundle up for the hike that promises sensational views of a potentially frozen Mina Sauk Falls.
6. Shaw Nature Reserve Trails – Gray Summit
Shaw Nature Reserve, 307 Pinetum Loop Rd, Gray Summit, MO 63039, USA
All Trails/Ed Gaffney
Slip on your winter boots for a leisurely hike along one of the trails at the lush and lovely Shaw Nature Reserve. The series of trails, which total nearly seven miles, offer an abundance of natural beauty, including prairies, hills, and woodlands. The trail can get pretty busy at times.
7. Whispering Pines Trail – Ste. Genevieve
Whispering Pines Trail Trailhead, Hawn State Park, Park Dr, New Offenburg, MO 63670, USA
All Trails/Matt Tucker
Our final hike takes us to Hawn State Park. Whispering Pines Trail, the hardest of the hikes we’ve highlighted, is a loop trail that stretches 12.4 miles. The picturesque trail boasts an abundance of natural beauty, including mountain views, a river, and rock formations. Keep an eye out for local wildlife, too.

What are your favorite winter hikes for backpacking in Missouri? Let us know in the comments! If you like staying active during the winter, how about heading to one of these five indoor ice skating rinks in Missouri?

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Best winter hikes in Missouri

Sarah | December 17, 2021

What are some fun day trips in Missouri?

Some fun day trips in Missouri are:

  •  Hidden Valley Ski Resort
  • Adventure Zipline of Branson

There's something so wonderful about getting out in Missouri's beautiful Great Outdoors, and we recommend doing so in the regular! So we've put together a guide that takes you to an amazing place each month of the year. These 12 amazing Missouri day trips – one for each month of the year – promise an abundance of fun for the whole family. Notable adventures include winter recreation at Hidden Valley Ski Resort in Wildwood, a spring zip line excursion at Adventure Zipline of Branson, a summer wine and waterfalls road trip adventure, and an autumnal adventure at one of the state's most beautiful waterfalls!

What are some fun things to do during the winter in Missouri?

Fun things to do during the winter in Missouri include:

  • Polar Plunge at Hidden Valley Ski Resort

While we absolutely love a good cold-weather trek (see the above list of best winter hikes in Missouri!), we also love getting our heart pumping, too! Polar Plunge at Hidden Valley Ski Resort in Wildwood is one of our favorite destinations for winter fun in the Show-Me State, as it offers guests so much to see and do. Hidden Valley Ski Resort boasts the "largest snow tubing hill in Missouri," so you know you're in for plenty of action and winter thrills. Snow tubing sessions last three hours. If you start to get chilled, warm up in front of a roaring bonfire before zooming back down the hill again. We promise it will be the most fun you'll have this winter! Because why should kids get to have all the fun?!

What are some fun indoor day trip destinations in Missouri?

Fun indoor day trip destinations in Missouri include:

  • Splash Country Indoor Waterpark

Not in the mood to brave the cold on a hiking excursion? Starting to suffer from cabin fever? Sure, you can start counting down the days until spring, or you can enjoy a blast of summer at Splash Country Indoor Waterpark. The epic indoor waterpark offers something for the whole family – from a kid's area to a lazy river. This is an amazing place sure to lift your spirits during the cold weather months in Missouri! If you're looking for something a bit more seasonal, check out these indoor ice skating rinks in Missouri, which offer lots of fun for all ages!

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