Pilot Knob Conservation Area

If you want to feel alone in the woods this is the place. I should add that it is open to hunting deer, turkey, rabbit and squirrel so you might want to be aware of when those hunting seasons are in effect.
The trail is 2.7 miles in each way so close to 6 miles to get to the end and back. I’m not in the best shape and my age isnt the best number in the world either so I didn’t get even close to seeing the entire trail. But I hope to keep building up stamina and return one day to see it to the end.
My dogs absolutely loved it and I’d recommend this place if you have dogs that like hiking trips. There are signs that keep you on the right path posted along the way.

One of the best hiking walking trails I’ve ever been on. Absolutely beautiful. A great way to get exercise and breath the fresh forest air. The trail is up and down with plenty of endurance needed. It’s not a beginners trail but it’s not hard either. Very rocky at first then it evens out to a great walk through a narrow trail in the woods. I could see a soft footed dog maybe having a hard time on some of the rocks in the beginning. I’ve seen someone bring a stroller here which was a shock but he made it look easy. Bring water. The trail has both sun and shade throughout. We haven’t made it to the end yet. Our furthest is 2 miles in. Apparently it comes out along H highway near someones farm and is around 3 miles in length one way. Love this place! Hope it stays clean and we’ll maintained. There is a good sized parking lot. I added some pics. I’ve been coming here once a week or so. On nice sunny days a few others will be out enjoying the trail too but normally it’s yours to enjoy alone. There is a couple nice natural places to sit and rest along the way. Enjoy and please don’t litter! The location is in between Viola and Carr Lane on 39 Highway.
Warning! !!! There is a teenager that lives in a house somewhere near the trail. He is harmless but he walks around with a machete and pocket knives. He likes to play and explore the woods. I think he’s about 13. However when someone is coming toward you yielding a machete it can be a bit scary at first. He should learn some social skills however I believe that’s why he’s in the woods alone anyway! Also I have seen several hunters set up in the trees in this park. I wish they wouldn’t allow hunting near a hiking trail.
So I guess I have deducted a star for wondering if I’m going to be chopped up by a knife yielding teenager or shot by an eager hunter. gotta love Missouri.

My wife and I hiked here yesterday (June 22 2105). We thoroughly enjoyed it. Didn’t see another human being as advertised. Relatively easy to find and convenient. The GPS in our car couldn’t find it but our phone could. Finding any description of it on the Internet proved difficult. I noticed a marker on an online map and then did an online search. This yielded the previous Unilocal review and a short section on the Missouri Department of Conservation. (Missouri Parks and apps to locate hiking areas provide no information.) So, unfortunately, or fortunately, however you choose to look at it, finding out about it takes an effort.
We liked the hike. It’s about 2.7 miles out and back (5.4 miles total) so not a loop. It’s competitive but not overly strenuous. The biggest drawback? A couple of sections included lots of loose stones, so exercise real caution or you might turn on ankle or something. My wife expressed disappointment that it offered no vistas. Good views might await you if in late fall or winter. But in summer you can see nothing due to the foliage.
But we highly recommend it. Especially if you enjoy solitude and a decent workout.

I LOVE the Pilot Knob Conservation Area! Probably because it is SO close to my Mom’s house, literally less than a five minute drive! But driving time aside, this is a truly beautiful hike and a great way to connect with nature for a while. The hike is a good 3 miles long (not a loop, so 6 mile round trip). The terrain ranges from flat to steady inclines and at a few spots some booty busting up hill climbs. The trail is also VERY secluded; usually when I hike there I am the only one there, which I love! If you have a few hours to take this hike, I suggest the trip. It is worth the drive and a great view of Missouri and the Ozarks at their finest!