Outdoorsy Things to Do in Missouri: Hiking, Biking, Fishing & More

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They didn’t hurt my shoulders as I carried the bag around with me. When my bag got wet from a few rides, it easily and quickly dried because of its thin material, I really liked that. The bag has one large compartment and then a smaller one on the front/side. Walk around any campground or tailgate party, and you’ll notice the popularity of this variety of accordion-style ozark trail canopy seat. You can pick one up at just about any big-box store (sometimes for as little as $10), order one with your favorite sports team’s logo, or pay a premium for a similar model from Cabela’s or REI. A low-to-the-ground chair can be ideal for outdoor movies, concerts, theater performances, and other events where you want to avoid blocking other people’s view.

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“This is the Platonic ideal of your camp chair,” one of our campers gushed. You can stow this featherlight, compressible chair in a backpack or even a work bag. All in all, the Blackstone griddle is a great portable grill and a great travel companion, especially if you want to grill for several people.

Those who find themselves at Castlewood can pick among seven routes. But my personal favorite is the RiverScene trail, which is a 3.4-mile moderate loop near Ballwin, Missouri, only 30 minutes from St. Louis. The trail follows the cliff’s edge, passing several scenic overlooks that offer unique panoramic views of the Meramec River valley from over 200 feet below. Most people spend about an hour and 15 minutes on the trail—but no harm in spending more, taking pictures and soaking in the views.

Just be prepared to face changing weather conditions out in the wilderness. Water sources like rivers and streams may only be available seasonally. OT maps are a great resource to help identify places where you can access water. Backpacking stoves are a convenient way to boil water for dehydrated meals and instant coffee without adding a lot of weight to your pack. Visit our tickets page to reserve your admission and select activities for your visit. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times.

A right-sided approach will also give you the best angle into the green which is guarded by a large bunker on the left side with plenty of room to miss on the right. The OT trail features a range of well-maintained backpacking campsites, allowing you to have a convenient and comfortable place to recharge during your trek. Backpackers may also consider taking a short detour from the main trail to see Rocky Falls, a steep cascading waterfall that leads into a large pool of water that can be visited year-round.

With access to the Ozark Trail available year-round, hikers will need to prepare differently for each season. Ozark springs see a lot of rain and varied temperatures; Ozark summers tend to be hot, muggy, and wet; Ozark winters can drop below freezing. Wet weather is common to the Ozark climate, especially in late spring through summer, and fosters a breeding ground for bugs, mosquitos, and ticks. Consider bringing waterproof shoes and treating your clothes ahead of time with permethrin to repel insects. In the colder seasons insulating layers are a must, and a good rain shell for you and rain fly for your tent are necessary year-round. The next section along Trace Creek is an enjoyable, quiet walk in the woods.