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Pickle Springs Natural Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 837 Google reviews · Running trail in New Offenburg, Missouri · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- 2 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Pickle Springs Natural 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.
Popular trail features caves, steep formations and waterfalls.
What runners say about Pickle Springs Natural Area
“I know when trees fall they usually don’t get rid of them, but in this case, there are several trees blocking some very gorgeous views that need to be cut up.”
“It's a beautiful walk down a tree shaded path into a creek valley about best guess 500 ish feet up and down.”
“I would definitely say moderate, but fairly easy to follow trail.”
“Very scenic and interesting trail that’s just the right length for an easy hike.”
Awesome 2 mile trail, took about an hour and a half with lots of stopping for pictures. Such a beautiful park and amazing views on a fairly moderate hike! There are a few wooden staircases located along the mostly dirt trail, and look out for rocks and roots. Trail can be a little slick/muddy at the beginning.
Absolutely the BEST hike ever! It’s relatively easy for a beginner as it is short (4 miles) with a well maintained trail. This isn’t a handicap friendly trail. There is a short flight of stairs in one area. I don’t feel like I’m in Missouri when I hike here.
Absolutely beautiful place to hike alone or with family. The trail is fairly easy. I took My 6 yr old grand daughter and she had no problem keeping up. The trail saus it's 2 miles, and will take just over an hour. However, if you are like my group, your looking at 2-2 1/2hrs.
The trail here is rather rugged, with steep parts and narrow places to squeeze through. But the scenery is amazing, so definitely worth the hike! We visited in early spring before there was much foliage, but there are lots of evergreens to make things pretty, and the rock formations are unlike anything we'd ever seen.
Trail conditions & character
“I know when trees fall they usually don’t get rid of them, but in this case, there are several trees blocking some very gorgeous views that need to be cut up.”
“Definitely need shoes with good grip and knees with some spring in them because there are some slippery rocks and some high roots.”
“Overall very dog and kid friendly (as long as they have the stamina for a good hour and a half hike) Great views through the majority of the trail.”
“It's a beautiful walk down a tree shaded path into a creek valley about best guess 500 ish feet up and down.”
“The trail here is rather rugged, with steep parts and narrow places to squeeze through.”
“It was not anything that was unmanageable, even for children, but is noteworthy if you need a more accessible trail.”
“I saw several people using GPS to find the loop back as enough people had gone off trail, as to make a new one.”
Plan your run at Pickle Springs Natural 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
- Loop distance2 mi back to where you parked
- 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.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitemdc.mo.gov
- Phone(573) 290-5730
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–7 PM |
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