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David C. Murray Park Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 62 Google reviews · Running trail in Springfield, Missouri · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- 110 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from David C. Murray Park 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.
Kid-friendly park with creekside hikes as well as paved, wooded, riverside trails and meadows.
What runners say about David C. Murray Park Trailhead
“Beautiful little trial that runs beside the creek”
“Its very peaceful and relaxing!”
“It's a great trail and I love that it runs next to the river my dogs love to play in the water down there as well!”
Lovely trail! We hiked off of 13 hwy to Ritter Springs and back. The hills were a bit rough in the beginning, but worth every bit!
Paved trail. Mostly wooded untill about 1.5 to 2 miles in..then you cross a meadow. The river is breathtakingly beautiful. It's easy to miss but sooo worth it. No playground..just peaceful nature. One way takes you up to the old carpet barn where it connects with another trail.
It's a great place for a walk or a short bike ride, but the trail to the east can get incredibly hot once the sun starts coming out for real. I usually limit our time here to fall and spring, or early mornings in the summer. This is NOT an off-leash trail. Please leash your dogs.
I love this little spot. Good for a walk, a swim, a bike ride. Anything! It is a little close to the highway, but other than that very solid. Paved path, good for all ages.
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful little trial that runs beside the creek”
“It's a great trail and I love that it runs next to the river my dogs love to play in the water down there as well!”
“The parking lot looks like it has 8 to 10 parking spots, often there are only two or three folks there.”
“To the east you can walk for several miles(something like 5.5 miles) .”
Plan your run at David C. Murray Park Trailhead
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
- Distance110 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteozarkgreenways.org
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–6 PM |
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