Missouri and Southern Illinois are full of five-star day hikes, from Castlewood State Park to Garden of the Gods. But if you’re seeking a bit more adventure — and a deeper immersion into nature — there are plenty of great multi-day backpacking trips just a short drive away. The following trails, ranging from 8 to 36 miles, are perfect for a weekend trip, and they can also serve as preparation for a longer thru-hike. Give one or more of them a try this fall.

 

Two-Day Hikes

Sam A. Baker State Park. (Missouri State Parks)

Mudlick Equestrian Hike Trail

Location: Sam A. Baker State Park, Patterson, Mo.

Length: 10.8 miles

If you’re looking for an approachable trail for your first overnighter in nature, the Mudlick Equestrian Hike Trail at Sam A. Baker State Park is a great choice. With approximately 900 feet in elevation change, it has enough variation to be interesting without exhausting your legs or lungs. There are two backcountry campgrounds to choose from, so you can split up the distance however you’d like. As you hike, you’ll see views of the St. Francois Mountains, with plenty of shade from large oak and pine trees.

 

East Trigg Loop Trail

Location: Shawnee National Forest, Simpson, Ill.

Length: 8.5 miles

The East Trigg Loop Trail is an excellent trail to introduce kids to backpacking. It’s short and flat enough to make it accessible to youngsters still getting used to being outside. It also takes you to Jackson Falls, a pristine, remote area full of massive cliffs, striking greenery, and two waterfalls. There is plenty of dispersed camping at Jackson, but note that camping is not allowed in the canyon itself.

 

Red Cedar Trail

Location: Giant City State Park, Makanda, Ill.

Length: 12 miles

This trail takes hikers in a wide loop around almost all of Giant City State Park. Highlights include Red Cedar Waterfall and the distinct rock formations Giant City is known for. The Red Cedar campground is about halfway through the hike, making for a convenient stop. Camping permits for this trail are required and must be obtained at the visitors center. Note that water is not reliably available on the trail, so hikers should plan to bring all their own water.

 

Big Piney Trail

Location: Paddy Creek Wilderness, Plato, Mo.

Length: 16.1 miles

Big Piney Trail is an overnighter that still brings the heat, with over 1,800 feet of elevation gain. This trail has it all: rivers, waterfalls, and gorgeous fall foliage if you go at the right time of year. There are several campsites along the way, but as a wilderness area, it’s also possible to disperse camp, provided you follow proper rules and regulations.

 

Three-Day Hikes

The Buffalo National River. (Arkansas State Parks)

Buffalo River Trail

Location: Newton County, Ark.

Length: 36.6

The Buffalo National River is one of the last remaining undammed national rivers in the lower 48, and this trail allows you to explore its full beauty over several days of hiking, complete with views of the soaring bluffs and rock formations that house the river. There are four designated campsites along the way — Steel Creek, Kyles Landing, Erbie, and Ozark — so it’s easy to customize how you split up the mileage. Since this is a point-to-point trail, hikers will need to leave a car at the terminus or arrange other transportation.

 

Lusk Creek Loop

Location: Shawnee National Forest, Pope County, Ill.

Length: 25.5 miles

During spring and fall, Shawnee National Forest can be swamped with visitors. To enjoy Illinois’ premier wilderness destination without the crowds, embark on the Lusk Creek Loop. Highlights include dramatic rock formations like natural bridges and caves, plus scenic overlooks. The trail’s constant companion is Lusk Creek, making it easy to access water.

 

Ozark Trail, Taum Sauk Section

Location: Iron County, Mo.

Length: 35 miles

The 230-mile-long Ozark Trail thru-hike has many stunning sections, and the Taum Sauk section is definitely near the top of the list. You’ll cross two of Missouri’s most beloved state parks, Taum Sauk and Johnson’s Shut-Ins, for the perfect combo of mountain views and stops to cool off in swimming holes. With an elevation gain of over 4,000 feet, it’s plenty challenging and great training if bigger objectives, like Colorado’s fourteeners, are on your to-do list. Dispersed camping is allowed anywhere 100 feet from the trail, except within two miles of the Johnson’s Shut-Ins parking lot.

Author: Mary Andino is a frequent contributor to Terrain.

Top image: iStock.