Cole Creek Trail - Hiking trail near Waynesville, Missouri, United States - Description

Cole Creek Trail is the primary route for horseback riders. This trail is open to horses, mountain bikers, and hikers. The terrain is typical Ozark hill country covered in oak/hickory vegetation. There are 3 ponds on or near the trail. The trail is marked with grey diamonds. Horse users are not limited to developed trails and if a longer ride is desired, woods roads can be used on surrounding National Forest land leading into some relatively remote areas. This 11 miles in 2 loops trail can be accessed at several different points. The West loop is 4.90 miles, the East loop is 5.28 miles and the connecting trail is 1.04 miles giving visitors the option of planning an overnight or a day trip.

Due to rocky trail conditions, horses should be shod. There are no developed facilities along this trail. Camping along the trail is “primitive”. Bring your own drinking water or be prepared to sterilize water you find along the trail. Ponds along the trail provide water for stock.

From Waynesville, MO, on Interstate 44, turn south at Hazelgreen, MO onto Hwy AB. Take the first gravel road to the right to Hwy K about 6 miles to the junction with Hwy AC. Turn left on the gravel road (Flagstone Road); go about a mile and turn north on first gravel road to the left. Cole Creek trailhead is about a quarter-mile on the right.