Ruby Jack Trail — improved Carthage return
Missouri · Rail-trail
Ride west on the improved Ruby Jack corridor for up to three miles and retrace. Do not ride the rough undeveloped western two miles or use the highway/railroad road detour at Carl Junction.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Carthage · Missouri
- Ride length
- Up to 6 miles return
- Ride format
- Out and back
- Surface
- Smooth crushed limestone developed rail trail
- 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 flat rail corridor; stone texture, bridges and wet patches remain.
- Starting location
- Ruby Jack public eastern trailhead, Old 66 Boulevard at Oak Street, across from Carthage Municipal Park, MO
Selected outward cap and the same return; turn earlier at the actual route end or a barrier. Parking walks are extra.
Carthage Municipal Park landmark opposite the public eastern Ruby Jack trailhead, not a trailhead entrance or parking permission. Use Old 66/Oak Street access.
Ruby Jack Trail — improved Carthage 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: Ruby Jack public eastern trailhead, Old 66 Boulevard at Oak Street, across from Carthage Municipal Park, MO.
Coalition names this public eastern trailhead. Follow the posted trailhead spaces and park rules; private commercial parking is excluded.
Ride and distance
Selected ride: Up to 6 miles return. Format: Out and back.
Ride: Ride west on the improved Ruby Jack corridor for up to three miles and retrace. Do not ride the rough undeveloped western two miles or use the highway/railroad road detour at Carl Junction.
Selected outward cap and the same return; turn earlier at the actual route end or a barrier. Parking walks are extra.
Surface and effort
Smooth crushed limestone developed rail trail. Mostly flat rail corridor; stone texture, bridges and wet patches remain.
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. Coalition confirms ordinary bicycles on the improved limestone, but explicitly says the western two miles near Kansas remain difficult railroad rock. Use sturdy tires and firm conditions; project plans are not completion evidence. 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.