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Capen Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 393 Google reviews · Running trail in Columbia, Missouri · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Capen 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.
31.9-acre park featuring hiking trails, a creek & rocky bluffs with scenic overlooks.
What runners say about Capen Park
“Capen Park is more than just an outdoor area: it has walkable and bikeable paths as well as stunning scenic lookout points.”
“There is an easy walking trail with beautiful views or you could clime.”
My cat and I go hiking here a lot. It's very quiet with a good mix of terrain. Definitely one of my favorite trails in CoMo
Great place for a walk or run or to get close to nature. Dog friendly. Marked Trails are easy walking on mulch or gravel path. Many unmarked trails which are little harder to walk on. I found a rock I called home plate on one of the unmarked paths. If you find it, post a picture.
We went on A Sunday afternoon. It wasn't too busy. Definitely some pretty places for photos and the trails are well kept. There was a weird sewage smell through several areas of the park but other than that it was a very nice place to hike around.
I absolutely love this place. The cliffs are fantastic to hike on, and it's a great place to go birding as well. I've completed many of my ornithology assignments for college here, and it's always fun to try to count how many turkey vultures are circling the thermals of the bluffs.
Trail conditions & character
“Capen Park is more than just an outdoor area: it has walkable and bikeable paths as well as stunning scenic lookout points.”
“The city does a great job maintaining the area and has recently upgraded the parking lot.”
“Great trail nice gravel/dirt trail pretty wide so good for bikes or walking wide spread with the fam.”
“Great trail nice gravel/dirt trail pretty wide so good for bikes or walking wide spread with the fam.”
“I also raise service dogs for a nonprofit, and the creek below the cliffs is a great place to take them for enrichment and introducing them to water.”
Plan your run at Capen Park
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 — 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.
- Websitecomo.gov
- Phone+1 573-874-7460
- Social Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–11 pm |
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.
Grindstone Nature Area
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3M Flat Branch-Hinkson Creek Wetlands
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Forum Nature Area
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