Review Date
April 1, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: Lawson Raider ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Crowder State Park is a gem. Rode this twice last year (2007) and both times I really enjoyed the experience.

This is one of those trails that you have to really experience to really appreciate the fine job the trailbuilders here have done to make Crowder a worthy destination.

As far as trail conditions, the trail is very well balanced with the right amount of roots and rocks to keep the trail fun and interesting. There is some climbing and some downhills so you get to huff up some hills but then get to blast down some hills.

I have ridden this on a hardtail and a FS although I do prefer a FS myself as it makes it easier on my older carcass LOL. One word of advice.

The one thing you will love about Crowder is that there are plenty of scenic spots on the trail where you want to just sit there on your bike and appreciate the natural beauty of the outdoors. Seeing the Thompson River, riding next to hollers, and just listening to the wind blow through the woods is awe inspiring.

Recommended Route:
Trail maps are located at the parking lot and as any trail, having a copy handy is always recommended. This trail is marked pretty well so you shouldn't need it too much only in a few areas if you start scratching your head.

Review Date
June 11, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Lawson Raider ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
The trail is very well maintained. Didn't have to ride with the weeds hugging my legs on either side. The hills are steep though so be prepared to climb them, but the downhill is wicked fast. The River Bend trail has roots and rocks and on those downhill sections be prepared to negotiate. I admit I am a complete off-road newbie so this trail definitely will help you learn and master some skills (Or get wiped trying to! LOL. Have to be honest, if you are lacking in the skills department, you can easily find yourself getting personal with the Missouri dirt.)

Overall, a very well maintained set of trails.

Review Date
November 25, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: mountainblur ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This trail was excellent. It has a little bit of everything for every type of rider. There are beautiful bluffs and valleys that provide great elevation. The trail was probually the best maintained trail that I have rode yet. The trail crew has done an impressive job.

Review Date
June 6, 2004

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: mosfs ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
The Tall Oaks trail is a great all around ride, long enough to take up a morning or afternoon but not to grueling. Great variety of terrain, well built. Hills, rocks and straight aways. Unfortunately the River Forks Trail was swamped over at the beach house entrance. Looks like it will take a while to dry out. It was a bummer as wanted to do both trails. Looking forward to returning doing all day ride around Thompson River.

Review Date
April 19, 2004

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Cabin Fever ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
actually, i've now ridden it twice. i rode it a while back (read "matt's" review a few down) and didn't like it. i decided to give it another try, and that turned out to be the weekend's best decision.

the trail conditions were excellent, especially since a race was being held that weekend. MANY fast sections, and plenty of rock gardens that reminded me of greensfelder and chubb, their easier parts, anyway. didn't get a chance to ride the newer loops, although i hear that they are faster as opposed to technical.

it truly is surprising to have such an oasis of well-maintained trails, open to bikes, and built extremely well, in northern missouri. the rider support in Trenton must be tremendous, considering that they probably don't have all THAT many local riders. definitely the gem of this region, far outshadowing Kirksville's Thousand Hills trail.

Recommended Route:
just get a map and go from there. it seems to me like counter-clockwise is the way to go on most of them.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
uh, an hour east on route 6 is Thousand Hills, and the trail there is alright. don't kill yourself to get there, though.