Carter County, Missouri
26 hiking & walking trails · 3parks, recreation areas & campgrounds · 4 cities. Real OpenStreetMap + Recreation.gov data, with a free trail map for every listing.
About Hiking in Carter County, Missouri
Carter County is home to 26 mapped hiking trails and 3 federal parks, campgrounds, and recreation areas spread across 4 cities. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap contributors; park and campground info comes from Recreation.gov.
Looking for something specific? Search all trails in Carter County or browse parks. Want to narrow further? Pick a city below to see only that city’s outdoor options.
Trails & Parks in Carter County
Up to 29 pinpoints showing trail and park locations across the county.
Cities in Carter County
Click any city to see trails and parks within it.
Sample Parks in Carter County
Sample Trails in Carter County
Curated Guides for Carter County
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there hiking trails in Carter County, Missouri?
Yes — we have 26 mapped hiking and walking trails in Carter County, Missouri, sourced from OpenStreetMap. Browse the full list below, with distance, elevation, and difficulty for each.
What is the best hiking trail in Carter County, Missouri for families?
Big Barren Creek near Fremont is one of the best family picks in Carter County, Missouri — easy difficulty, short enough for kids and first-timers. See the full family hiking guide below for more options.
Is there a trail map for Carter County, Missouri?
Each of the 26 trails in Carter County, Missouri has its own page with an interactive map, GPS coordinates, and a link to view it on OpenStreetMap — no app or account needed.
What parks and recreation areas are in Carter County, Missouri?
Carter County, Missouri has 3 parks, recreation areas, and federal facilities in our index. Each listing includes activities, photos where available, and directions.
Can I go camping in Carter County, Missouri?
Yes — 1 of Carter County, Missouri's parks have mapped campsites, from first-come sites to Recreation.gov reservations. The largest is BIG SPRING with 137 sites. See the full campgrounds guide below for the ranked list.
Where can I find hiking trails and parks near Carter County, Missouri?
Browse all hiking trails, walking trails, parks, and campgrounds across Missouri for more options beyond Carter County, Missouri.
Hiking guides for Missouri
Statewide rankings and guides — useful context for Carter County.
Photo: Sergei AkulichThe 10 Longest Hiking Trails in Missouri, Ranked
Missouri's longest mapped hiking trails, ranked by distance with notes on what makes each route worth the commitment.
Photo: Joshua EarleMissouri's 10 Most Punishing Trails by Elevation Gain
Steep is hard. These are the ten Missouri trails with the most total elevation gain — quad-burners earned by hard climbing.
Photo: Tobias MrzykThe Best Beginner-Friendly Hikes in Missouri
Ten gentle, well-marked Missouri trails perfect for first-time hikers, families, or recovery days.
Photo: Sergei AkulichThe 10 Most Challenging Hikes in Missouri
Missouri's ten hardest hikes — expert difficulty, big mileage, or serious exposure. Reserved for experienced hikers.
Photo: Joshua EarleThe Best National Parks & Recreation Areas in Missouri
Federal parks and recreation areas in Missouri ranked by what they actually offer hikers and campers, not just popularity.
Photo: Sergei AkulichBest Waterfall Hikes in Missouri: 10 Trails to See Falls Up Close
Missouri's best hikes to named waterfalls — from short family-friendly viewpoints to all-day cascade chasing.