HomeMissouriColumbia › Bear Creek Trail - N Creasy Springs Road Trailhead

Bear Creek Trail - N Creasy Springs Road Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 218 Google reviews · Running trail in Columbia, Missouri · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Bear Creek Trail - N Creasy Springs Road Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

MixedLoopScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADAFlat & fastHillyRestroomsTrailhead parking

Public park with scenic hiking and biking trails, a boardwalk, and turtles.

What runners say about Bear Creek Trail - N Creasy Springs Road Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (218 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“a clean walking path that has little trails of the main that lead down to the creek.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 8 mentions

“Its got HILLS and trees and cool bike paths nestled up against a creek and scenic bluffs.”

This is my favorite place to go walking. Ive walked there several times with my parents, as well as with a friend of mine. I'll admit, I don't walk nearly as much as a should, as I am the King of Laziness, but sometimes it's nice to just get outside and enjoy what little is left of nature.

★★★★★ — Ansel , Nov 2023

Wide trail, they have some flat trails and other areas that are steeper, we love the trail but wish it was a little more shaded in the flat areas. Also have creek that you can walk along and well.

★★★★★ — Lydia , Nov 2019

This trail is great because not everyone knows about it. We enjoyed the scenery and elevations during our walk.

★★★★★ — Carrie , May 2023

Beautiful scenic trail. Secluded trail, follows creek bottom for large portion of the trail. Large wooded and rocky hills sides. Lots of birds and other wildlife wandering around. I saw a young coyote crossing the path. Unaware or uncaring of my presence. Great peacefull and way to pass time. Provided by state of mo.

★★★★☆ — Phill , Dec 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 218 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 8 mentions

“Its got HILLS and trees and cool bike paths nestled up against a creek and scenic bluffs.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 6 mentions

“not heavily populated, but has a decent strem of people walking dogs, and moving about.”

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🪨 Crushed gravel / limestone 3 mentions

“Really lovely running trail, well maintained, mostly crushed limestone.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 3 mentions

“Its got HILLS and trees and cool bike paths nestled up against a creek and scenic bluffs.”

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Flat & fast 2 mentions

“Wide trail, they have some flat trails and other areas that are steeper, we love the trail but wish it was a little more shaded in the flat areas.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 2 mentions

“There are a few spots that are extremely rough making it very hard to push my daughter's stroller through, though.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

“Large wooded and rocky hills sides.”

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🔁 Loop trail

“This trail just north of Hwy 70 off Bus Loop 70 West+Creasy Springs rd north is awesome!”

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🪵 Boardwalk

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🛣️ Paved surface

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🚻 Restrooms

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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Plan your run at Bear Creek Trail - N Creasy Springs Road Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Trail mapOfficial trail map
  • Websitecomo.gov
  • Phone(573) 874-7460
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday 6 AM–7 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–7 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–7 PM
Thursday 6 AM–7 PM
Friday 6 AM–7 PM
Saturday 6 AM–7 PM
Sunday 6 AM–7 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Bear Creek Trail - N Creasy Springs Road Trailhead

Columbia, Missouri

Get directions

Running trails near Columbia

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Garth Nature Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 228 reviews

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LoopCrushed gravelScenicDog-friendly

Trails, ponds and woods teeming with wildlife for hiking, dog-walking and picnics.

under a mile away

Columbia Cosmopolitan Recreation Area (Cosmo Park)

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,803 reviews

Columbia, MO

PavedShadedLitDog-friendly

Columbia's largest park, with ball fields, tennis courts, a golf course, trails & fishing ponds.

1.3 miles away

M-K-T Trail Plaza

4.8 ★★★★★ 32 reviews

Columbia, MO

Scenic

2.9 miles away

Bonnie View Nature Sanctuary

4.7 ★★★★★ 221 reviews

Columbia, MO

LoopMixedShadedScenic

This 90-acre park is a preserve for native plants & animals, with walking trails & a picnic shelter.

3.3 miles away

MKT Nature and Fitness Trail

4.9 ★★★★★ 109 reviews

Columbia, MO

4.2 miMixedScenicDog-friendly

Park featuring a public restroom and walking and biking trails.

3.3 miles away

3M Flat Branch-Hinkson Creek Wetlands

4.8 ★★★★★ 50 reviews

Columbia, MO

LoopScenicDog-friendly

Well-maintained trail popular for jogging, walking and bicycling, with frequent wildlife sightings.

4.1 miles away

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Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.