Rock Island Trail State Park

Rock Island Trail State Park is a rail trail stretching 47 miles through rural areas, connecting small towns while passing prairies, farmland, forests, and streams along the way. The path follows the bed of an old railroad line and offers different character in each section depending on the landscape.

The trail follows the corridor of the former Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, which operated from the late 1800s until the late 1900s. After the railroad ceased operations, the right-of-way was converted into a public recreation path.

Small towns scattered along the route preserve railroad heritage through local museums and historical markers that document transportation development in Missouri. Walking through these communities, you see traces of this past woven into buildings and monuments throughout the landscape.

Five entry points at Pleasant Hill, Medford, Chilhowee, Leeton, and Windsor offer parking and access for different users. Cyclists, walkers, and horse riders can start from any of these locations and move at their own pace along the route.

The trail is part of a larger network expanding across Missouri that aims to connect major regions through linked green paths. Eventually, the plan is to form a continuous route linking Kansas City and St. Louis through interconnected trails.