Bear Creek Trail — limestone creek return
Missouri · Greenway
From Garth Nature Area follow the main Bear Creek route toward the Creasy Springs boardwalk for up to two miles and retrace before the steep Cosmo approach or any washout. Natural Cosmo and Rhett’s Run singletrack are excluded.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Columbia · Missouri
- Ride length
- Up to 4 miles return
- Ride format
- Out and back
- Surface
- Improved limestone main trail with boardwalk/bridges
- Road crossings
- Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure.
- Elevation
- Mostly creek-side grade; the farther Cosmo approach has a documented 15–18% slope and is excluded.
- Starting location
- Bear Creek public Garth Nature Area trailhead, 2799 North Garth Avenue, Columbia, MO
Selected outward cap and the same return; turn earlier at the actual route end or a barrier. Parking walks are extra.
Selected named public map place with explicit place coordinates, not viewport coordinates. Follow the independently stated public arrival; no surveyed parking pin or navigable route.
Bear Creek Trail — limestone creek return — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-10-22. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
A selected outing on a documented improved bicycle route. Follow the stated public start and course.
Start and parking
Start: Bear Creek public Garth Nature Area trailhead, 2799 North Garth Avenue, Columbia, MO.
City identifies public trailhead parking, restrooms and bicycle repair at Garth Nature Area.
Ride and distance
Selected ride: Up to 4 miles return. Format: Out and back.
Ride: From Garth Nature Area follow the main Bear Creek route toward the Creasy Springs boardwalk for up to two miles and retrace before the steep Cosmo approach or any washout. Natural Cosmo and Rhett’s Run singletrack are excluded.
Selected outward cap and the same return; turn earlier at the actual route end or a barrier. Parking walks are extra.
Surface and effort
Improved limestone main trail with boardwalk/bridges. Mostly creek-side grade; the farther Cosmo approach has a documented 15–18% slope and is excluded.
Crossings and shared use
Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure. Yield to pedestrians, keep right, and slow at blind corners. Stop at barriers; never use a traffic-road detour to bypass a trail closure.
Hours, costs and access
Use daylight and obey posted trail, park and parking hours. Follow current public visitor-parking terms; reserved activities and events have separate conditions.
Reviewed 2026-10-22. City documents the limestone route and steep western section. August storm reports described washouts; current full repair confirmation was not established in this review. Use only the open firm section and postpone if washed out. This is a source review, not a same-day inspection. Recheck the linked manager before travel.
Map and Directions
Use the named public start and its posted parking signs. The map reference identifies the facility or selected trail area; it is not a surveyed parking stall or navigable route line. Bicycle and e-bike rules can differ; only ordinary bicycle use is established unless noted.