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Park Trails

at Van Meter State Park

Earthworks Trail

  • Hiking

Length: 1.75 Miles View map

This trail leads to American Indian sites known as the Old Fort (Earthworks) and the Mound Field. The Old Fort, an irregular, double-ditched earthwork was built by the ancestral Missouria Indians (Oneota). The Mound Field is made up three burial mounds that belonged to the Woodland Indians. This trail winds through the Pinnacles and the forested part of the Oumessourit Natural Area. The trail was originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. 

Length Estimated Hiking Time Type Blazes Trailhead
1.75 Miles 1 hour, 45 minutes Loop Green  

Loess Hills Trail

  • Hiking

Length: 2 Miles View map

This trail circles Lake Wooldridge, an 18-acre fishing lake. It passes through prairie-like areas and across bridges that span ravines of loess soil on the Pinnacles. The connector trail blazed in white follows along the west shore of the lake from the dam embankment passed the fishing platform. 

Length Estimated Hiking Time Type Blazes Trailhead
2 Miles 2 hours Loop Red  

Memorial Trail

  • Hiking

Length: .40 Mile View map

The Vanmeter (historical spelling) family cemetery sits atop a hill along side ancient American Indian burial mounds. At the base of the hill is a memorial garden dedicated to the American Indian tribes of Missouri. View native plantings, flowers and limestone pillars denoting the four directions. The trail was originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The memorial garden was installed in 2006.

Length Estimated Hiking Time Type Blazes Trailhead
.40 Mile 25 minutes Loop Yellow  

Missouri River Overlook Trail

  • Hiking

Length: .10 Mile View map

This trail follows the ridge of a pinnacle and ends with a vista of the Missouri River bottoms, the river’s forested edge, crop fields and oxbow lakes. This short trail was constructed during the bi-centennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-06 up the Missouri River. It features two interpretive panels describing the area during the 1800s with diary quotes and maps.

Length Estimated Hiking Time Type Blazes Trailhead
.10 Mile 5 minutes, one way Linear Blue  

Oumessourit Wetland Bluff Trail

  • Hiking

Length: .40 Mile View map

This trail allows you to experience the wetland and bottomland forested areas of the Oumessourit Natural Area. The wetland is a natural remnant of the dynamic Missouri river floodplain. It also features interpretive panels describing features along the trail. Elevated metal walkway spurs allow views into the marsh. Oumessourit (pronounced “Oo-mah-soo-ree) was the name given to the Missouri Indians by the Illinois Indians, as translated by French explorers Marquette and Jolliet.

Length Estimated Hiking Time Type Blazes Trailhead
.40 Mile 25 minutes, one way Linear Brown  

Oumessourit Wetland Boardwalk Trail

  • Hiking

Length: .50 Mile View map

You can experience the wetland and bottomland forested areas of the Oumessourit Natural Area along this boardwalk trail. The wetland is a natural remnant of the dynamic Missouri river floodplain. It also features interpretive panels describing features along the trail. Elevated metal walkway spurs and a loop allow views into the marsh. Oumessourit (pronounced “Oo-mah-soo-ree) was the name given to the Missouri Indians by the Illinois Indians, as translated by French explorers Marquette and Jolliet.

Length Estimated Hiking Time Type Blazes Trailhead
.50 Mile 30 minutes Loop Orange