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Cape Rock Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 349 Google reviews · Running trail in Cape Girardeau, Missouri · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Cape Rock Park'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.

ScenicHillyWaterTrailhead parking

Historic riverfront green space where the area's original trading post was established around 1733.

What runners say about Cape Rock Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (349 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 8 mentions

“Beautiful views, had a bench up top of the hill there (where these pics were taken from) very beautiful spot, couldn't imagine the beauty during sunset or sunrise here”

Sanctuary for quietness and no people. Great for writing. No marked trails. Gorgeous view of the the river. Pretty much you walk up the hill, read some history... and you see a nice view.

★★★★★ — J. , Aug 2021

Cool little place to visit for a quick outing at any time of year! It's got a nice view of the Mississippi River. Kids love climbing up the hill and walking down the old stone steps. There's a beautiful Kwanzaan Cherry tree in bloom in the Spring.

★★★★☆ — Leah , Apr 2021

Lovely view from the top of a hill, overlooking the Mississippi. This would make a nice picnic spot with hiking trails nearby

★★★★☆ — Jeweltea , Jan 2026

Was there visiting my car club Midwest Ride Out. And will be attending the car show in August at Show Me Center. It was a great lookout point. Beautiful views, had a bench up top of the hill there (where these pics were taken from) very beautiful spot, couldn't imagine the beauty during sunset or sunrise here

★★★★★ — Kalen , Jun 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 349 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 22 mentions

“Beautiful views, had a bench up top of the hill there (where these pics were taken from) very beautiful spot, couldn't imagine the beauty during sunset or sunrise here”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 5 mentions

“Beautiful views, had a bench up top of the hill there (where these pics were taken from) very beautiful spot, couldn't imagine the beauty during sunset or sunrise here”

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🚰 Water fountains

“There are live goldfish in this old water fountain.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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Plan your run at Cape Rock Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • 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, water — reported by runners
  • Websitecityofcapegirardeau.org
  • Phone(573) 339-6340
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 8 AM–6 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–6 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–6 PM
Thursday 8 AM–6 PM
Friday 8 AM–6 PM
Saturday 8 AM–6 PM
Sunday 8 AM–6 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 Cape Rock Park

E Cape Rock Dr, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

Get directions

Running trails near Cape Girardeau

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

I. R. Kelso Wildlife Sanctuary area

4.2 ★★★★☆ 21 reviews

Cape Girardeau, MO

under a mile away

Riverfront park

4.6 ★★★★★ 105 reviews

Cape Girardeau, MO

Scenic

River-adjacent riverside park and walkway featuring a mural-lined flood wall and a history timeline.

2.0 miles away

Capaha Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 1,325 reviews

Cape Girardeau, MO

Scenic

Venerable park with baseball fields, a rose garden, a band shell, a fishing pond & a playground.

2.5 miles away

Kiwanis Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 371 reviews

Cape Girardeau, MO

ShadedDog-friendly

55-acre green space with a dog park, fishing pond & ball field, plus playgrounds & picnic pavilions.

2.7 miles away

Dennis Scivally Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 212 reviews

Cape Girardeau, MO

ShadedScenic

Small park featuring a playground, picnic shelter, and a stone bridge over a creek.

3.0 miles away

Cape Woods Conservation Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 206 reviews

Cape Girardeau, MO

PavedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Wooded area featuring trails for walking, cycling and running as well as disc golf.

4.2 miles away

All running trails in Cape Girardeau, 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.