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Grindstone Nature Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 475 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 Grindstone Nature 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.
199-acre park featuring nature trails & scenic overlooks, plus picnicking & a leash-free dog area.
What runners say about Grindstone Nature Area
“A very beautiful place to go walking very clean and full of beautiful things to set eyes on!”
“A very beautiful place to go walking very clean and full of beautiful things to set eyes on!”
We enjoy walking in the area when visiting Columbia. The Grindstone Trail provides a pleasant paved trail when other trails are slick or muddy.
A very beautiful place to go walking very clean and full of beautiful things to set eyes on!! Trails that lead straight to the little streams
Grindstone Nature Area is beautiful! It’s a great trail to go walk on and see all the beautiful scenery. Without doubt worth going to! Have a great day!
We only did a small portion of the trail from the parking lot. We walked about a 1/4 mile up and back. The trail seemed flat and easy, great if on a bike. The trail we were on was mainly chip gravel.We were looking for a more outdoorsy trails though.
Trail conditions & character
“In certain areas of the grindstone nature trails, the dogs can go leash-free.”
“A very beautiful place to go walking very clean and full of beautiful things to set eyes on!”
“The area to the west has a no leash area for dogs (off trail), and the trail to the east is concrete, wide, and flat.”
“It's a fairly easy trail with the section through the woods being buggy, though, while the less buggy, wide gravel section was more direct sun.”
“The trails are paved and there is a restroom in the parking lot area.”
“The trails are paved and there is a restroom in the parking lot area.”
“The Grindstone Trail provides a pleasant paved trail when other trails are slick or muddy.”
“The area to the west has a no leash area for dogs (off trail), and the trail to the east is concrete, wide, and flat.”
Plan your run at Grindstone Nature Area
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, water — 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(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.
Capen Park
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MKT Nature and Fitness Trail
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Gans Creek Recreation Area
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3M Flat Branch-Hinkson Creek Wetlands
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Well-maintained trail popular for jogging, walking and bicycling, with frequent wildlife sightings.