Young Conservation Area: Labarque Hills Trail Hike

Walk through oak and hickory forests ablaze with fall color and past leaf-covered pools on the Labarque Hills Trail at Young Conservation Area.

Overview

The hike is 5.9 miles long with a natural surface that can be rocky in spots. You’ll walk on connector trails before reaching the 3.5-mile Labarque Hills Trail loop.

Labarque Hills Trail Details

Distance: 5.9 miles
Trail surface: Natural surface; rocky and uneven in spots
Trail: Connector trails leading to the 3.5-mile Labarque Hills Trail loop
Difficulty considerations: Long hike with uneven ground; fallen trees and rocky creek crossings may require extra attention
Best conditions: Spring after heavy rain for seasonal waterfalls; autumn for fall colors
Navigation: Leaf cover can make the trail difficult to follow. Bring a compass and map or a trail app, and watch for brown trail markers.
Hours: 6 a.m.–10 p.m.
Address: 3189 State Hwy FF, Eureka, MO 63025
Parking: Gravel parking lot
Directions: Head southwest on Interstate 44 to Eureka, MO. Take Exit 264 for Missouri Highway 109 and go south. Turn right onto Hwy FF, look for the conservation sign on the left, and enter the gravel parking lot.
Optional extension: Add the Taconic Loop to the first trail section before the creek for a longer, full-day hike.

*The map shows that the Labarque Hills Trail begins after you use connector trails to reach it.*

Start of the Hike

After parking, I went to the northeast side of the lot and found the cleared path through the prairie. There’s also a path by the sign that heads southwest toward a pond and LaBarque Creek, which you can take around to the main east-side trail. This time, I chose the most direct route to the loop.

The trail I took enters the woods and meets the creek and pond trail on the right. Keep going straight.

*Work your way to the cement bridge to cross LaBarque Creek and reach LaBarque Hills Trail.*

You’ll see an old road on the left that ends at a gate. Stay on the trail until you cross LaBarque Creek on a newer cement bridge.

*The low creek level creates a waterfall in LaBarque Creek.*

After the Creek Crossing

Next, a side trail goes straight ahead, but take the right turn to stay on the main trail along LaBarque Creek. The creek is low, so I can see a small waterfall forming between the rocks. The side trail eventually rejoins the main trail.

Next, I reach the first intersection with the Taconic Loop Trail, another loop trail I have taken before. I cross a dry stream, then reach the second intersection with the Taconic Loop Trail.

Labarque Hills Trail Beginning

Now I head onto the Labarque Hills Trail before the loop. I cross another stream over a row of rocks. You must use these when water is flowing through.

Then I come to the start of the loop. I decide to go left where the trail wanders more. Starting on the right, the trail begins more in a straight line.

Through Hills and Valley

If you look to the right, you’ll see a streambed below. You come across dry falls and leave filled pools if the water level is low, like today in the fall. I stop to photograph the slow-moving stream and the tiered dry falls along the way. In one spot, leaves cover the water’s surface. Then I reach a round pool where frogs jump away under the leaves.

*Rainbow of color in this forest canopy*

Next, the trail climbs into deep woods. I look up and see red, orange, and green leaves in the trees. More color appears on the trees up in the hills. I came to a fallen tree and passed others. So be aware of this when walking this trail.

A sign marks the End of Public Use Area. The trail runs close to the boundary, and I hear a rooster crowing from a nearby farm.

In this area, thick leaf cover makes the trail hard to follow, so watch for brown trail markers on the signs.

Other Side of Loop

Now the trail curves to the straighter side. I have to watch closely for trail markers here. Then I head back down into the valley. A small circular pool sits in front of some square-shaped rocks. ( Pool pictured as main blog photo) I pass another small pool with boulders above it. Then I cross a few dry creeks and return to the start of the loop.

Now I head back along the same path I took earlier.

Pond View

On the way back, I take the side trail on the right that leads up to the pond. Follow this trail, take a short right, then a left to reach the pond.

After visiting the pond, return to where you turned right, then go left to follow the trail back down to the main path to head to the trailhead.

Final Thoughts

I hiked here just after the peak of autumn colors, but there were still plenty of bright leaves to see. I’d like to return in the spring after a heavy rain to catch the seasonal waterfalls. This is a long hike with uneven ground, so watch your step. Leaf cover can also make the trail hard to see, so bring a compass and a map or an app to help you stay on track.

For a longer hike, add the Taconic Loop to the first trail section before the creek for a full day on the trails.