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Columbia parks offer chance to get away

It's time to put down the television remote and tie on some shoes.

By Pierce Courchaine

Published March 19, 2010

As the snow recedes, leaves sprout on trees and allergies annoy the shit out of you, one thing is clear: Spring is in the air. The stress of midterms is bearing down on everyone, and with the weather getting warmer, there isn't a better time to get outside and explore the enchanting wilderness of mid-Missouri. You've got the great outdoors. Get your camera ready, Facebook fiends: Here are four (free!) parks you and your friends can breathe much-needed fresh air and sweat out the toxins you drank the night before.

Grindstone Nature Area
Where: 2011 Old 63 South

What to do: Grindstone Nature Area is your standard mid-Missouri habitat. With 3.3 miles of trails, the hilly and diverse landscape Grindstone offers is perfect for hikers and rugged mountain bikers. Beginner mountain bikers should look at conquering the trails at Rock Bridge State Park before attempting the daunting ones at Grindstone. Because the Grindstone River cuts through the area, flowing water can be found in almost every direction.

Capen Park
Where: 1600 Capen Park Drive

What to do: Pay no attention to the paltry 0.3 miles of trails that make up Capen Park. The real draw of the park is the serene beauty of bluffs. Accessed from its parking lot off South Rock Quarry Road or through the trails of Grindstone Nature Area, Capen appeals to the adventurous and the laid back. For the adrenaline addict, hooks attached to the bluffs allow amateur rock climbers to get their climbing fix without having to drive across the country or climb plastic walls. The more laid-back nature lover can kick back on top one of the rocky outcroppings soaking in the lush Missouri forest views. Bring some friends, swap life stories or play a board game, because you won't want to leave. And because it's just a short trip down College Avenue and across Stadium Boulevard, you don't have an excuse to not go.

Rock Bridge State Park
Where: 5901 S. Hwy 163

What to do: Rock Bridge State Park, nestled in the Missouri countryside just south of the city, contains more than 2,000 acres to trek through. The park's biggest attractions are Connor's Cave and Devil's Icebox Cave. Arm yourself with a flashlight and a good pair of tennis shoes to explore Connor's Cave on your own. If the sinkhole and underground stream at Connor's Cave aren't enough, make advanced reservations for the Wild Cave Tour in Devil's Icebox Cave. The tour allows you to paddle and hoof it through the miles of the underground cave system. The Wild Cave Tour is offered April 15 to May 16 and Aug. 1 to Oct. 8. Fees, requirements and more information about the tour can be found on the Missouri State Parks Web site. Rock Bridge also boasts 12.5 miles of tame mountain biking trails perfect for beginners. Bring your dogs as long as they're on a lease, and entrance to this State Park is free.

Pinnacles Youth Park
Where: Hwy 63 North, 12 miles north of Columbia

What to do: The serene beauty of this 70-acre private park is often overlooked because of its middle-of-nowhere location 12 miles north of Columbia. The Pinnacles' flowing creeks cut through jagged limestone bluffs similar to the ones found in Capen Park. Acrophobics shouldn't steer away from the taller Pinnacle bluffs, though. Appreciating them from the ground is more than enough. There are no set trails and no park rangers patrolling the grounds because it is privately owned. Personal exploration of the land is encouraged and if you want to get on top of the towering monsters, you need to search for the path without traversing onto other private property. The park's wide paths and ample picnic space are perfect for groups looking to escape the claustrophobia of apartment life. As ownership changes hands in the next couple years, The Pinnacles could lose it's "open to the public" status. Get out and see this gem before it's too late!