Boone: Nature, River Landscapes and Trails

If you’re looking for a hotel in Boone, the landscapes and trails of Boone County offer a practical starting point for planning your trip. Gentle foothills, expansive prairies, and scenic bluffs overlooking the Missouri River shape the landscape. The name Boone’s Lick Country also tells a story about the area’s history: Boone County was originally known by this name. The name referred to a nearby salt lick operated by Daniel Boone’s sons. The landscape and the history behind its name offer different perspectives on the county.

Landscapes and Conservation Areas

Rock Bridge Memorial State Park offers opportunities for climbing, hiking, and biking amid scenic surroundings. The appendix to Boone County’s 2025 master plan lists the park’s area as 2,272 acres. One distinctive feature of the area is the Devil’s Icebox Boardwalk, which runs over a 125-foot-long natural tunnel.

Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area is in Boone County, on the southwestern edge of Columbia, near McBaine. Along the Missouri River and Perche Creek, the area has more than 10 miles of shoreline. Katy Trail State Park passes through part of the conservation area. Here, a riverside area meets a trail that crosses a section of it.

Three Creeks Conservation Area covers around 1,500 acres in Boone County. It takes its name from the three creeks that flow through it: Turkey Creek, Bass Creek, and Bonne Femme Creek. The eight-mile multi-use trail is open to biking, hiking, and horseback riding. The creeks’ names and the range of trail uses give the area a distinct character among the county’s outdoor destinations.

Comparing Trails and Routes

For orientation, you can distinguish between two types of trails: Three Creeks centers on a multi-use trail within the conservation area. The Columbia MKT Trail, by contrast, is an 8.9-mile spur that runs from the Katy Trail west of McBaine into downtown Columbia. While several types of use are listed for one trail at Three Creeks, the MKT Trail’s endpoints describe its route. Katy Trail State Park, in turn, passes through only part of Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area.

History and the Market

If you’re also interested in the region’s history, guided tours of Historic Boone Village or Maplewood House could be something to include in your plans. Reservations are required for tours at both locations and must be made at least two weeks before the planned visit.

The Columbia Farmers Market follows a producer-only market model: All goods offered are grown or made by the farmers and artisans who sell them. Most vendors are in or near Boone County. This gives you another regional point of reference alongside the landscapes, conservation areas, and trails.

Discover more destinations: Columbia, Rocheport, Pettis County, Howell County, Randolph, Barry, Linn County, Andrew County.

For the main travel overview: Missouri.