Review Date
May 29, 2013

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: offroadgator ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
What a freaking waste- If you are camping at the park, bring a road bike and do laps around the park. Don't bother riding this trail- It is not maintained at all. Huge deadfall with 3 foot grass. I was so frustrated I just gave up and road around the lake. This is a poor excuse for a trail

Recommended Route:
None - ride the road

Other recommended trails in the same area:
None - go north to KC

Review Date
August 27, 2011

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: HeadFirst! ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Freaking terrible. It's a waste really. The trail could be so much more...instead, there was a fallen tree (a big one) 100 yards in from one of the trailheads. Another a mile in to it. Overgrow, riddled with fallen branches, and extremely poorly marked. This trail needs some major TLC and trail signs. It took more time to find where the trail picks up along the numerous road crossings.

Recommended Route:
Go somewhere else until they fix this place up...seriously, I paid the $4.20 day fee, and they can't even keep the trees off the trail (and they've been down a lllllooonnnggg time).

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Go south! Slaughterpen hollow in Rogers...heck, even the local trails here in Joplin are outstandingly better than this trail.

Review Date
September 27, 2006

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: GTL ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Farlington – Drywood Creek - Crawford State Park.
Definitely a good, fun trail system All sorts of terrain to challenge / enjoy. – just don’t expect any long drawn out climbs – this is Kansas you know! For my tastes full suspension is preferred as there are plenty of rocks and roots, great when dry, treacherous when wet. Main loop runs around the lake for just under 7 miles. There are a few offshoot loops to add to the distance. Either direction is good.

Recommended Route:
I prefer a clockwise rotation starting from the NW corner of the entry road into the park. Starts out with smooth curvy singletrack, with one big slab rock in the middle of the trail, (great spot to view others attempt at clearing it), gets a bit rockier and a short side hill down to more twisty and then up a short steep climb onto a paved car road, head left and at the bottom of the hill dive into the right and meander again on smooth singletrack, then you have a short steep yahoo drop into a creek bed and up again climbing a short distance and a few turns to a small wooden bridge. After the bridge you can either head left and catch one of these offshoot loops or head right taking you behind the dam and then up the longest climb of the course. Once at the top, again you are scooting along some nice fast swooping singletrack stuff, a few rock gardens and then back across a road into more single track. In the next few miles you get to experience smooth fast single track, (big ring possibilities), as well as gnarly rock gardens and a few steep drops down rocky tiers into ravines and then short climbs and a few shelves that you are going to either leap up and over or have to clear them on foot. There is one short steep left hand switchback that I have yet to clear (someday), and then immediately after… another rock step, which, with the right amount of finesse and momentum can be cleared. You have a few more road crossings, another bridge to cross then up a hill to the left, meandering again through nice tight single track and some awesome rock gardens and root sections – definitely faster is better so you don’t spend too much time going up and down but over and past. At various pints around the trail you do get some great views of the lake, take the time to enjoy. The bizarrest portion of the trail is during the single track section that crosses a variety residences’ front yards. They don’t seem to mind but where it is just front lawnn it might be better to stay on the road – dive back in when the track is within the woods. The finish of this outer loop is at the main day use area, restaurant, boating, playground etc. Two side notes, there is a parking fee – but it does go to the KS park system and results in very nice campgrounds and toilet/shower facilities. Giving you a great place to hang out for a weekend to explore the whole park and trail system. Go try it!

Review Date
March 24, 2006

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: GroverGT ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Decent trail, technical as they get I think. As mentioned already it is very rocky on the south end with hardtails at a disadvantage. It is a pretty nice loop though, about 7 miles I think. Trail is on the fattire series so it can't be too bad. I think there are 2 sections I haven't climbed, both on the east side. If you been there you probably know where I am talking about. North end gets very muddy with rain. Don't forget to pay your 6.50 ;(

Recommended Route:
you can ride it clockwise(a bit easier) or counterclockwise. As rough with rocks and roots as it is, its not a very fast trail.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
23rd street pittsburg, wilderness park frontenac

Review Date
September 25, 2005

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: josh02_2001 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Before i say anything, it needs to be known that make sure you pay the amount for the day pass. Me and my buddies tried to get by with just paying a couple bucks a piece since we were only gonna be there for a couple hours and sure enough we had $43 worth of fees and fines waiting for us when we got back to our cars. With that said this isn't worth the gas and paying the $6.50 per car to ride these trails. I spent enough today to keep me from ever going back. I am living in Pittsburg and you can do close to the same stuff at 23rd street or Wilderness Park, there just isn't as much to ride. The only positive of Farlington lake is that it is a large loop, and is more technical. Great workout, but i guess i am just throwing a fit having to pay that much to ride these trails.