Get Out and Explore: Ozark Greenways Pt. 3

As we wrap up our tour around all of the Ozark Greenways, we have a few more to tell you about!  The final few are one of the most well known and one is new! The Frisco Highline Trail is miles of beautiful scenery and rich history, while the Dirt 66 is all-new, natural surface trails for biking, hiking and trail running!

Let's dive into these trails a little more!

Frisco Highline Trail

The Frisco Highline Trail is a scenic 35 miles trail through the beautiful Ozarks, it connects Springfield to Bolivar, Missouri. This amazing trail was designated a National Recreation Trail by the National Park Service and American Trails in 2004.  Along the trail - bicycle wheels, running shoes, skaters and wheelchairs - cross sixteen railroad bridges through Greene and Polk counties.

This trail has a rich historical past.  Missouri native and former President Harry Truman rode the Frisco Highline in 1948! Truman rode the 35 miles from Springfield to Bolivar and back in a private railroad car, preparing for his famous “Whistle Stop Campaign” that would lead to his re-election as President that year.  Even though the tracks and stops are long gone, the history is still present! 

There are so many points of interest along the Frisco Highline that you can easily make a day out of exploring!  Between restaurants, wineries, railroad bridges, museums and a small town that is mostly gone. 

Don’t want to travel the whole 35 miles in one day?  No worries.  There are plenty of camping and lodging options along the trail!  There are campsites at Mile 6 and Mile 16, AirBNB options and hotels in Springfield and Bolivar to accommodate runners/riders! 

Dirt 66: Fellows Lake Trails 

The Fellows Lake Trails are one portion of the Dirt 66 Master Plan that will span from Fellowes Lake on the east to Sac River Mountain Bike Trails on the west.  This 800-acre City Utilities’ property is currently home to TrailSpring Dirt 66 trails that include 10 miles of interconnecting natural surface trails that are open to hiking, running and optimized for mountain biking.  The south side of the lake is where the bulk of the miles will be located. This area provides rolling land with bluff lines and scenic views of Fellows Lake. 

The first trail segment, Uncle Frank's, opened in 2020. The below Dirt 66 trails are open:

That Dam Downhill & That Dam Return:  .8 Miles (Phase 2)
Uncle Frank's Trail:  1.70 Miles (Phase 1)
Liberty Loop:  4.5 Miles (Phase 1)
Little Bit:  .75 Miles (Phase 3)
Little Bit Loop:  1.5 Miles (Phase 3)
Little Bit O'Downhill:  .06 Miles (Phase 3)
The Fellows Lake Nature Trail is an additional phase of the Dirt 66: Fellows Lake Trail.  This trail is a natural surface trail solely for hiking and trail running.  The trail intersects with the Dirt 66 Trail - Liberty Loop. The trail is 2.5 miles, one way.  During high water, portions of this trail are under water.  There are pass-thru areas to work around!  This trail is marked with the green and black hash marks on the Dirt 66 map!

To check out more about the TrailSpring Dirt 66 trails, click HERE.  This really amazing project is going to be great for our community and tourism! 

All of the Ozark Greenway Trails are literally in our backyard and waiting for you!  So get outside and explore.  

You can find more information about all of the Ozark Greenway Trails HERE.

Information for these blogs came from Ozark Greenways and Dirt 66!