HomeMissouriRolla › Bray Conservation Area

Bray Conservation Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 132 Google reviews · Running trail in Rolla, Missouri · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Bray Conservation Area'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.

PavedLoopScenicDog-friendlyHillyRestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

Area with serene grounds, trails, a creek and a pond.

What runners say about Bray Conservation Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (132 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“The path starts out a bit steep and there are train tracks near but it is far enough not to hear any road noise and the paths are well maintained.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“Along the creek it has beautiful towering sycamores and oaks that stand watch over this secluded gem.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 5 mentions

“There are a few trails to choose from depending on length you want to hike (map of trails attached), all very wooded and peaceful; some with a decent hill too.”

Spent a peaceful quiet Sunday afternoon exploring the area. The trails were well maintained. The kids enjoyed watching the goslings and walking the trails.

★★★★★ — Burke , May 2020

Bray is a great little area to get out and enjoy nature. It's only a few minutes out of Rolla. It has a bedrock bottom creek that is fun to walk through during the hot summer days.

★★★★★ — David , May 2020

There are a lot of nice kids natural play things, picnic tables, and relaxing nature. The trail is a decent hill to climb up and a bit rugged but beautiful and rustic! There are a couple port-a-potties but no running water.

★★★★☆ — Christina , Oct 2021

Really pretty hiking and conservation area. There are a few trails to choose from depending on length you want to hike (map of trails attached), all very wooded and peaceful; some with a decent hill too. I went on a relatively cloudy/rainy day, and was the only one out which was a pleasant surprise.

★★★★★ — Laura , Apr 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 132 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.

🔁 Loop trail 6 mentions

“Some of the side trails, I would say, are a little bit more difficult to navigate, so it you are not that adventurous you might want to stay on the main loop.”

More trails like this →

⛰️ Hills / elevation 6 mentions

“There are a few trails to choose from depending on length you want to hike (map of trails attached), all very wooded and peaceful; some with a decent hill too.”

More trails like this →

🏞️ Scenic views 4 mentions

“Along the creek it has beautiful towering sycamores and oaks that stand watch over this secluded gem.”

More trails like this →

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“There are a few trails to choose from depending on length you want to hike (map of trails attached), all very wooded and peaceful; some with a decent hill too.”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“It has a small parking lot and bathrooms.”

More trails like this →

🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“It has a small parking lot and bathrooms.”

More trails like this →

🐕 Dog-friendly 2 mentions

“It was raining lightly the day my dog and I hiked around the area.”

More trails like this →

🛣️ Paved surface

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Bray Conservation Area

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • 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.
  • Websitenature.mdc.mo.gov
  • Phone(573) 368-2225
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 4 AM–10 PM
Tuesday 4 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 4 AM–10 PM
Thursday 4 AM–10 PM
Friday 4 AM–10 PM
Saturday 4 AM–10 PM
Sunday 4 AM–10 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 Bray Conservation Area

14220 Co Rd 7000, Rolla, MO 65401

Get directions

Running trails near Rolla

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

Rolla Lions Club Den and Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,335 reviews

Rolla, MO

PavedLitScenic

Park with picnic pavilions & playgrounds, plus athletic fields/courts & a lake with accessible dock.

3.0 miles away

Belotta Trails

4.6 ★★★★★ 8 reviews

Rolla, MO

3.5 miles away

Green Acres Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 166 reviews

Rolla, MO

Scenic

Quiet place with basketball courts and multiple playgrounds, as well as a picnic pavilion.

3.7 miles away

Beaver Creek Conservation Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 17 reviews

Rolla, MO

PavedDog-friendly

3.8 miles away

Ozark Rivers Audubon - Nature Center

4.7 ★★★★★ 201 reviews

Rolla, MO

LoopScenic

Naturalistic preserve dedicated to community education & native habitat preservation.

4.0 miles away

Twitty Arboretum

4 ★★★★☆ 3 reviews

Rolla, MO

4.1 miles away

All running trails in Rolla, MO →

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.