Rock Bridge Memorial State Park Reviews

My kids and I always enjoy visiting the park and hiking the trails and cooling off in the cold water that flows out of the cave. Always a good time.

We had a blast hiking to The Devil's Ice Box. The trails are wide and well maintained. But be warned, there are a LOT of stairs. My 80 year old mother did it just fine but she's in really good shape. The views are incredible and well worth the effort.

This is a great place to spend the afternoon. There are multiple trails of varying lengths. The best Trail has a wood bridge that leads to the "Devils Icebox." When it is open, this is a wonderful cave to visit. I would take a very strong flashlight if you plan to go into the cave. It is very dark and cell phone Light is not enough. Take an extra pair of shoes because you will get your shoes wet. There is another cave close to this area that is quite open on both sides. Again, there is water running over the bottom of it so your shoes may get wet. Several other trails in the Park lead over hills and through wooded areas. There are bathroom facilities. There are typically many animals and plans to see. This is a great outing for kids and adults of all ages.

This is a well-known local landmark. The park is very nice, the bridge is impressive, there are several walking trails each of which has its own attractions

Took our two boys here in August. A bit hot but most of the park is shaded. Devil's Icebox was a hit, mostly boardwalk and stairs down to the cave. Would recommend water shoes if you want to walk around in the cave. We also did the Sinkhole trail. Wear good shoes for this one, lots of rocks. It was wooded and shaded, we saw the silos but somehow missed the sinkholes. Pretty easy trail, would recommend for most anyone. Several other trails to explore depending on how much you want to do. There are restrooms and picnic tables near parking lot.

I have enjoyed going to this park many times. Trails are well marked and they have a good variety. I take my dog here at least once a week for a hike. Never done biking but have seen many people doing it.

The Rock Bridge is pretty and the hiking trail looked good for a state park, but we couldn't spend the time to hike. The area was peaceful. If I am in the area again I would hike there, but I would not travel across state to do so.

We loved exploring. Be sure to bring water shoes that are comfortable for walking on rocks and climbing. Also, have good flashlight. I'm glad we had a good flight because our phone flashlights wouldn't have been bright enough.

This park is gorgeous during all seasons. The summer is green and lush, but the winter is equally cool. Our most recent trip was back in January or February, and some of the water had frozen over. Just make sure you've got good shoes on and you're physically able to handle some of these trails and steps. Plenty of great spots for photos. It can get a little crowded on nice days, especially the weekends, so prepare for that.

Take a beautiful hike through the woods and enjoy your trip. Close to the south end of Columbia, Missouri this makes for a wonderful little tour.

Relax with a hike of your choice in distance. The 'rock bridge' is a natural cave-like bridge that is a beautiful sight to see. I don't know why this place doesn't get more press. The boardwalk trail will take you through the forest to different natural wonders. Connors cave is one of those wonders that is a must-see! Easy hike to the main sights. Give yourself an hour to take it all in.

Trails are ok the Devils Icebox is cool! Went into the caves saw my breath. I suggest to bring a flashlight and leave you phone in your pocket.

Short (30 minutes) vigorous (steps, steps, steps) any kind of shoe (wood boardwalk) 1/2 mile trail that let's you see both Devil's icebox and Rock Bridge. Worth the stop if you are close and need to stretch your legs. Good place to walk the dog. Obviously a favorite of the locals.

We are spoiled to reside less than a mile away from this not so well-known meditative haven, with its intricate cave systems and seemingly endless winding trails that are great for any level of hikers. But you want to make sure you know which trail you're on before you start because some of them go on for miles upon miles and it's easy to get lost if you're inexperienced. I have raised my two now- teenagers spending hours in this place, from pregnancy, to the infant-in-sling days on up. You can set your own soul right in this sacred haven and grow stronger with your family here. I preferred the years when there was walking access within the cavern that led to the only cave entrance made available to the public, but Earth changes made the state deem that area unsafe, so they shut it down. The Karst topography along all the trails seems mysteriously simple with deciduous trees lining the craggy mini mountains, but don't be fooled: there are caverns and deep cave systems everywhere under your feet. The Ozark Mountains ain't just in Southern Missouri. If you're visiting Columbia, MO for any reason, make sure you get away from the concrete jungle college town to experience this blessed Rock Bridge State Park. You will be refreshed and rejuvenated insodoing.

This is a great place to hike and see some incredible natural sites. The Rock Bridge and Devil's Icebox are great natural formations. The walkway is very nice and the other hiking/walking trails are also good. Nice place to take grandkids!

This place is absolutely beautiful! Make sure to wear your tennis shoes though because it is a lot of walking and a lot of stairs. Completely worth it though!

The park has extensive boardwalks that thread their way through the forest, and have lots of stairs taking you over hills and down into the mouths of caves. Very pretty and interesting walk!

We were looking for something to do for the afternoon and decided to go to Rock Bridge Park. One section of the park had a nice area for picnicing, which we did. Then we headed over to the "Devils Ice Box" section of the park. This area had some great trails and boardwalks. The "Devils Ice Box" area is a cave system that runs for a little over 6 miles. The public is allowed to explore "Conners Cave". which as you walk about a mile on the trail/boardwalk system, you head down a few sections of stairs to reach the cave entrance. It was 85 degrees at the top of the stairs and it dropped to 56 degrees at the cave which it stays at year around. Bring a small flashlight so you can see where you are going, it's fun to explore. We didn't get a chance to walk the other 2.5 mile trail which leads to several sink holes that you can explore, but we will do that next time. If you are looking for some awesome nature exploring..and a little exercise, check out this park!

The hiking around Devil's Icebox is beautiful, and well maintained. The other trails are varied in length and terrain, so you should be able to find hiking appropriate to any group.

What a real fun park to visit. Many trails for long or short walks available. We just had time to visit the Devil’s Icebox. A great experience! 90 degrees outside but the Icebox was true to its name ! Nice and cold !
It is not easy to walk through the cave. There is water running through it so be prepared for wet shoes in case you slip. Also, bring a flashlight as it is pitch black in the cave. Watch your head!
Please , do not bring your dog down there. Is not not an environment for pets. Unfortunately, some do not read the sign.

Taking a walk through a section of the park marked by wooden trails and lots of steps, you come to an interesting geological formation which is the entrance to an underground and partially underwater cave. Just sitting on the overlook, and taking in the beauty of nature can be rewarding,

Great place to walk in the woods. Explore the cave with the underground river, don't mess with the bats.

We have always loved going and taking people visiting to Devil's Icebox and the Rockbridge. Now that we have moved from Columbia when we visit it is still one of the spots we go to visit. In fact, we just posted a video from our latest trip on our YouTube channel. Our kids (2-12) have always loved the summer programs they offer.

While the parking lot is large it can get busy since there is access to so many trails in the area. Also cell reception can be spotty.

We love going to Rock Bridge State Park. The trails are fun, it is beautiful in the Fall, there is water for tossing rocks in and a playground down the road at another entrance. For people looking to get out and about in nature and get some exercise and fresh air, this is a great place to do just that in the Columbia area. There are also parks and rec activities here from time to time if you check their website.

good hiking trails, birdwatching, horseback riding, bicycles, place to take your dogs,easy access. If you like geology, excellent karst topography, most caves closed now due to white nose fungus threat. If you like to picnic, orienteering, geo-cache, these are all found here. Some trails heavily used, but you can still find solitude. A few bluff views that are pretty awesome

The park really needs some work. It has fallen into disrepair in the last few years due to budget. Otherwise, it is a nice place to take the family.

Beautiful nature walk area, easy access to all areas, clean, safe for all family members. A must see for the children of all ages.

This is not our first visit to RBM state park. We love walking on the trail. The scenery is beautiful especially in the fall. Our family comes here often to take walks, enjoy picnics, and relax.

We had been told about the Rock Bridge by some friends. So we thought what a great place to break up the trip and stretch our legs.

My GPS took me to the main entrance of the park, that is not the quickest way to the Rock Bridge, go past the main entrance south a mile or so and you will see a sign for Devils Icebox Trail. It was only about a 5 or 10 minute walk from the parking lot.

It was very cool, and we loved the fact that you were not restricted to the trail, you could go under the rock formation. My only regret was not taking a map that of the trails that we had. Somewhere we got onto another trail and the break ended up lasting much longer than planned, but it was still very enjoyable. We had planned on spending an 30 minutes at the park and it ended up being a little over an hour.

I was actually very surprised with the number of users at the park, between a group outing, mountain bikers and other hikers it seemed very busy for a Wednesday, but it was far from crowded.

It was a great time and I would recommend this park to anyone going through the area.

Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is a nice park to visit. It has easily accessible areas and is family AND pet friendly. There are nice picnic areas and numerous trails. It has the Devil's Icebox Cave that you can walk to- unfortunately, tours inside Devil's Icebox are currently suspended due to a bat fungus but it's still very cool to take the board walk to the mouth of the cave.

The site of an old mill, this park is full of wildlife and interesting nooks and crannies to explore. Plenty of trails, rock formations, and plant life to check out.

Took our grandson here for a few hours...really enjoyed the wooden walkways...also have natural paths that can be explored too...great place for a picnic

One of my favorite spots near Columbia from my grad school days at Mizzou. The feel of the rock bridge is incredible, and the Devil's Ice Box is awesome. Many more hiking trails for those who time to explore.

we spent the afternoon walking the "devil's ice box trail" a .5 mile walk. a lot of steps but beautiful scenery, i was really impressed that the cave was not full of graffiti , being so close to town.

We have gone here several times in the spring and fall to enjoy the nature. It is a great place to hike or just stay on the boardwalk if you don't feel like anything to strenous. We love going back and going into the cave.

Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is right outside Columbia and a great place to hike and see amazing karst geology. We hiked the Devil's Icebox Trail, a short trail that is mostly boardwalk and wooden stairs. It first leads to the Rock Bridge, the park's namesake, a huge natural tunnel that you can walk under. There's even a small waterfall under here. A little bit further is the Devil's Icebox, a double sinkhole leading to two caves. Connors Cave may be explored, but Devils Icebox Cave is closed to the public. We didn't have flashlights or caving gear so only went a short ways into Connors Cave. Overall, an awesome place for a hike and to see amazing geological features. Bring a helmet, good flashlight or headlamp and appropriate shows if you want to explore Connors Cave.

If you're looking for something fun to do outdoors this is the place. There are really nice trails, most are on wooden planks that make a small circular route. You can learn about and see caves and cool rock formations.

Today, me and my wife been to The park. We drove 2hrs, so by the time we got there it is 4:30pm.
Unfortunate things is GPS landed us to a parking lot which is not the MAIN one.
We started our trecking with unknown trail which MERGED to RED trail. At The MERGE we met group of 3, who suggested us
to go to bridge direction instead of going to the other way where we have to cross a 'small water flow'.

We continued our red trail slowly, by taking pictures. Finally at 6pm(sunset) we reached the MAIN parking lot and realized
this is not the one. While looking at the map to our parking lot, we talked to a couple. Then as it is getting dark he offered us to
drop at our parking lot. We refused his help, as the decision was spontaneos. After 15 minutes we realized that was a bad decision as it got dark suddenly.

Now The twist: We assumed the red trail is straight forward but at one point the trail devided to red and red+black.
We got confused and took the red+black path then came back and chose the Just RED trail As Google images helped us in figuring out
that black trail seems to be way long.
At that time it was way dark and we were on cell flash light. We continued the red trail. We continued 20 minutes then
stuck at the 'small water flow'. Finally by remembering the conversation with the group of 3, we crossed it.
Then with small confusion, continued to red trail again, in the middle we didnt find the red dots, still continued like
20 more minutes in the dark.
sounds from squirrels were very scary and We dont know what animals/snakes might harm us.

Finally we have been to the spot where we started our red trail in the begining, but as it is very dark it was hard to identify the Merging point.
Still we followed our instinct and left the red trail,
and climbed up almost 15 mintues.
Still haven't reached our parking lot. It was very stressful because the red dots were no more and
we are just following our instincts assuming it was right. We dont even know whether we are in some unknown route that puts us to a loop.
Finally we reached our parking lot!!!!!!! Thank god!!!!!

Realized it was a big blunder to continue trecking in the dark by refusing a volunteer help to drop off!!!!!

Went here with friends on a spring afternoon. Dogwoods were in bloom, and the trees and other flora were beautiful and a welcome sight at the end of winter. Easy trails of good length, accessible caves. Signage for trails is a bit lacking and sparse, but friendly fellow-hikers were very helpful. Sneakers were sufficient; hiking boots not required.

Gorgeous park. Very well maintained. Beautiful walking trails and plenty of opportunities to observe wildlife.

For us this is a major hit. My kids are 7 and 4. My kids love the caves. During the summer be sure to hit Devild Icebox for an instant cool down from the summer heat. Connors Cave that's connected to Devils Icebox is not recommended to explore without proper cave equipment with one warning suggesting 2 headlights but there are guided tours offered if you feel adventurous. The trails are nice and easy but definitely have some difficulty for those looking for a harder run. It's not wheelchair or stroller friendly but it's easy enough for the younger ones. Now a bit of a warning. During the start of spring and summer be careful going into the rock formations where water collects. Unfortunately in the dark a rather deep rock carve out had my youngest completely under water and with the dark had my husband not been next to him its likely our trip would have ended on a bad note. But alls good just a hard reminder for the future.

Such a nice park for a short hike in a natural setting. Took my dog for a quick walk, it’s beautiful here. Even with other visitors in the park, you have your space. Natural rock formations and native Missouri plants. If you have 2 hours or 15 minutes, visit Rockbridge, you’ll love it!

This place was awesome. Wonderful treat and great workout. Easy to find with lots to do. A must visit when in Columbia

It was surprising how close to the city this state park is. The trails were very clearly marked and the description of each trail was clear and concise. I enjoyed how intuitive the signage was made to cater to beginners as well as experienced hikers. We made it to the rock bridge but estimated that it would have taken too long to explore devils ice box so we will have to make it another trip.

I love the fact that this park is just about 10 minutes away from downtown in case you have an emergency nature need. Due to the fact that the bats in the Devil's Ice Box have the white nose fungus, you can no longer go down into the cave, which is unfortunate, but I'm glad that MO State Parks are working to prevent further damage to the resident bat population. Overall, lovely park with ample hiking trails.

Nice place for a walk in the woods, conveniently close to Columbia, MO. There is a also a nice rock bridge and "Devil's ice-box", basically a sinkhole with an adjoining cave. Bring a flashlight if you plan to explore the cave! Also, check dates because the "Devil's ice-box" seems to be closed at least half the year.

Don't get me wrong, this is a pleasant place for a walk. But in my opinion, the preponderance of other high ratings for this attraction need some perspective. If you give this place 5 stars, what do you give, say, Zion National Park? Also, road noise interferes with walking pleasures on a some trails. All in all, a solid 3 stars but not more than that.

Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is a great place to visit to experience the natural beauty of our state. It has numerous trails in the wooded areas of the park and some that are in the open prairie areas. The Devils Ice Box is a cave that is interesting to see also. The wooden plank walkway provides a stable trail for easier access over the hilly terrain. I would recommend it to take children as an educational experience as well as people of all ages.

We went on the High Ridge trail which is grassy with some tall weeds. There are several forks and dead ends so it's not an easy trail to do a simple loop. There's some elevation but not bad, but no good scenery. We had ticks and bug bites at the end so we suggest using repellents. To cool off we walked on the boardwalk to Devil's Icebox. That's shady and has cool air so good place to finish a hike.

There are parking lots, restrooms, and trash/recycle bins so very handy.

This little state park makes for an adventurous family retreat from the everyday business. Great walking paths for both visual and physical exploration of God's creation.

Wow bring your camera for this.....but it is not easy to get to in a wheelchair on some of the trails but some of them are ok. It is great for families of all sizes. So come on out and enjoy the Devils Ice Box.

Calm and serene, difficult to believe it’s so close to the city. A five minute drive from Providence will get you into a beautiful park with trails and a pristine stream. Pets allowed on a leash. Choose your trails to the ‘Devils Ice Box’ through the ‘Rock Bridge’ or walk in the woods. Pack a snack and you can spend an entire day out there. Devils Ice Box is an unique experience, something to look out for, far more than one can describe.

Just a bit south of Columbia, Rock Bridge has many hiking trails, the Devi's Ice Box. Nice for hiking, mountain biking

We hiked from the Spring Brook trail head to the Devil's Icebox trail. The Spring Brook trail was easy to follow and we saw deer several times. The Devil's Icebox trail is mostly boardwalk and has a fair number of steps. We went to the rock bridge and to the Devil's Icebox, both of which were spectacular. There were great photography options at both of those sites, and the ice box lived up to it's name and was a welcome cool down on a hot day. Highly recommend parking at Spring Brook trail head and hiking to Devil's Icebox - less crowded for parking.

Wanted to get dome exercise and enjoy a lovely autumn day! Sure found a great place to do this. A nice circular trail of 3 miles provided that And clean restrooms were available near the beautiful picnic area as well

If you're looking for a hike, beautiful scenery, or simply an exploration Rock Bridge State Park is the place for you. The drive to the park is a short ten to fifteen minute drive, allowing for a quick get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

A good place for exercise between trips to Sub Shops in Columbia, and you can avoid large groups on the trails.

The trails in the park are relatively short, which is why I can only give it 4 stars. However, if you're looking to spend an hour or so hiking and enjoying some great examples of area scenery this is a good choice.

Nice walk with nature. Nice trails. Wooden deck and stairs lead you down to the entrance of the cave. You really feel and enjoy the cool breeze on a hot Summer day.

Great place for youth to learn hiking skills, such as in Scouting. Easy to get in an all weather 5 mile hike for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. Very pretty in snowy weather. You feel isolated, but actually never far from help of needed. Many school field trips here. Great programs available including caving tours.

My wife and I took a brief break from the monotony of I70 (driving from St Louis MO to Quinter KS) to stretch our legs on the Devil’s Icebox Trail within Rock Bridge Memorial State Park. The 0.5 mile trail was an easy hike, with multiple stopping points to learn about the trail. We have a rock bridge in Hocking Hills Ohio that is a truer rock bridge than that in this state park, but it's still a decent 'bridge.' Connor Cave was interesting to look through. We were the only two people on the trail on a 40F degree day.

This park, like many of Missouri state parks, has wooden walkways with stairs and handrails when necessary, making it an easy walk for many people. Additionally, there are trails off the walkways to provide a more rugged hike. Maps are usually available at the parking lot although I have to admit I've managed to get lost within Rock Bridge Park (but just a little lost; still able to get out). The park is a good place for bird watching particularly in the mornings. Evening hours bring the rush of bats from the cave there, depending on the season. The park provides an excellent outing--a short drive from the city, plenty of parking, well-marked trails--and can be visited any time of the year.

Very interesting site. Cave, when open, is great tour. Good for kids of all ages! Bring some old shoes.

Whether you visit the park for a picnic, to hike one of the many trails, or to spy some local wildlife, this park is wonderful.

We’ve lived in this area for twenty years and have visited Rock Bridge Memorial State Park numerous times. Our entire family loves hiking the various trails. It’s a beautiful chance to enjoy nature just a few minutes south of Columbia.

I have visited Rock Bridge State Park too many times to count. It is a great place to visit with family, friends, children, dogs, etc. There are trails with entrances at the main area, as well as outer edges of the park. Some trails are designed for strollers and older adults to navigate. Other trails are more rustic. There is a cave that is only open a few times a year due to the endangered bats. For travel into the tunnel you need to contact the park ranger. Some people stop near the parking lot to picnic and never venture into the inner parts of the park.

We decided to go on a hike/walk Sunday afternoon while visiting our son who attends Mizzou in Columbia. He said he hadn't been to Rock Bridge State Park, but some friends of his said it had some great trails and small caves. The weather was perfect and the hike was great. We saw a lot of families and I would highly recommend this park.

In addition to the natural beauty of this park there is much history. Walk the "Sink Hole" trail from the parking lot and see if you can find the groove in the sandstone outcropping from steel rimmed wagons on years gone by? HINT - on the right side of the small stream as you walk this trail. There was a mill to grind grains, a distillery and tannery among various businesses that once called this area home. The most famous of the "sink holes" is Devil's Ice Box. A great place to cool off with the steady stream of cool air escaping from the Ice Box. Be sure to take the trail that actually forms the rock bridge over the small stream.

Like so many of Missouri State Parks, this one is exceptional. From hiking, biking, to caving, this is a great place to stop. No camping so be aware.

Visited this park on a hot sunny day with my daughter. The trails are easy to maneuver however there are a lot of steps which might prove to be difficult for some. When you're walking through the woods, you feel as if you're in a jungle....it's very humid and the sounds of the birds makes you feel very close to nature. The Rock Bridge itself is a pretty interesting spot but the Icebox is amazing! You have to go! As you take the steps going down into the cave aptly named Icebox you can feel the temperature drop very quickly. It's very refreshing on a hot day. Would highly recommend putting this place on your itinerary if you're looking for a place to take the kids.

Marvelous to see the raw earth and to learn from our past. Be sure you understand the cool, the real and you will enjoy the trip.

Have 5 questions ready for the guide so you can learn more.

This was our first visit to the park, but definitely will not be our last. We drove over from St. Louis to spend the day in Columbia and eat some Shakespear's Pizza. While looking for things to do, I found the park. We had a great time. The trails are well groomed and marked pretty well. We hiked to Rock Bridge and the Devil's Icebox area!!! Cannot wait to go back and do some more exploring!!! Lot's of trails he did not even touch, so plenty of reasons to return!!!!

Very nice place to stop and see. Walk was too much on a hot day for those that are heat/health challenged. But scenery is beautiful and peaceful. Take a lawn chair or picnic to enjoy while you are there.

Just a wonderful place to unwind in the beauty of nature. Nice trails and picnic spots. Can be an easy hike or a difficult one Or, something in between. YOU can choose how much energy you want to expend because there are areas for all levels.

I've been to Rock Bridge Memorial Park many times and in all seasons. It has many miles of well-marked trails that include hills and the valleys of the creeks of the area. Also are a couple of trails that are primarily in prairie. The highlight is going to the Rock Bridge, a bridge of rock that is pierced by the creek that flows from the Devil's Ice box cave. Then venturing into the aptly named Devil's Ice Box one experiences the opening to the extensive cave system and the cool air and water flowing out of the cave and then to the Rock Bridge. On your walks in the uplands, there are numerous sink holes that communicate with the cave system below the ground.

Of course, the weather was perfect, but even so, this park is wonderful. Lots of trails with different distances and levels of challenge. We loved the devils ice box and conners cave.

we visited this park and hiked the trail. Beautiful scenery and the trail was adequate for hiking. There is a cave, but at the time we visited, it was closed.

Hiking here is great in all weather. In the heat of the summer it's best to go early morning but the flowers are beautiful and the forest, very green. In the fall, the colors are to die for and in the winter, the snow transforms this forest into something entirely new. Best place to hike in CoMO.

The park isn't too far from town and the hike to the rock bridge is a delightful one. The kids loves stepping through the rocks over the water to get to the inside of the cave. Some of the pathways were destroyed when some rocks fell on them but they seem to be slowly replacing them.

Reminder: Missouri State Parks are FREE.
Most of the reviews for this park are based on one area within it--the area accessed from the Devil's Icebox parking lot on Hwy. 163 near the Clear Creek bridge, that includes the boardwalk to the natural rock bridge and the entrance to Connor's Cave. The extensive Devil's Icebox Cave has restricted access and is closed to protect the bat population for part of the year. Check with the park staff about access to it.
There is so much more to see and do here. Download a map before you go the first time (maps are also available in parking areas).
In the portion around the main entrance (large sign on Hwy. 163 north of the Devil's Icebox lot) there are large picnic shelters and trailheads.
The Gans Creek Natural Area is a large section with rugged karst terrain. There are fairly flat trails through grassland, including restored prairie, and several trails through the oak-hickory forest. The trails are loops, color coded/blazed and feature connectors to shorten the hike, if desired.
The park is enjoyed by bikers, with the unfortunate result of trail degradation, especially when they ignore the signs prohibiting bikes in very wet conditions.
The full range of park habitats is best enjoyed by walking. Even a short stroll can bring many delights. In addition to the karst features, abundant spring and fall wildflowers are easily observed along the trails.
Birding is rewarding at all seasons, with Winter Wrens, Louisiana Waterthrushes or Hermit Thrushes found in the creek bed. Migrating warblers and vireos overhead in fall and spring join the nesting Worm-eating, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Parula and Kentucky Warbler, White-eyed and Red-eyed Vireos. Seven species of woodpeckers and resident chickadees, titmice and nuthatches forage along the trails.

Whether with young children in tow, or taking an orienteering challenge (very good course), looking for a picnic site, or chasing butterflies, this park has something to offer any outdoor enthusiast, year-round.

Average trail in the woods and cave. Been some time since family has been there but would recommend it on a Sunday afternoon walk

Always have a great time at Rock Bridge. A beautiful place to go. Great way to get exercise. Love having picnics here.

This is my local park at only 15 minutes from my door. Excellent trails that are well marked and maintained. Excellent variety of trails for hikers of all exeprience levels. Fantastic examples of Missouri's karst topography abound and make for some interesting scenery. I've been hiking this park regularly for the past 2+ years and never get tired of it.

Rock Bridge State Park is very popular in Columbia and for good reason. It is a quiet oasis and of course has a Rock Bridge carved out by streams. It is a hike uphill to get there and although there are trails they are narrow. Pick up a map to make sure you know where to go. It is now reopened from Covid-19 although they reserve the right to limit the number of people. Parking is easy and free. This is a hiking park and does not have playgrounds, best I know. It is quite beautiful and cool in the summer. We had friends travel in from Boston and this is one of the places they really wanted to see, having heard about it,

There is a natural rock bridge, after which the park is named. Cave entrance into the Devil's Ice Box - seasonal to protect the bats. Lots of plant life. If you're not too noisy, you might see deer, turkeys, and of course lots of birds.

This park has a lot to offer with multiple interesting trails, a nice running creek, a deep cave, and the rock bridge itself. There are also remnants of old houses and buildings from well over 100 yrs. old scattered about the park. You can spend as little or as much time as you want and some people camp here. The only drawback I can think of are the restrooms located at the main parking lot. They aren't much, rustic, smelly and often not clean. I really think with the technology available they do better and this park gets a lot of visitors. Charge a small fee if you need the money to build something adequate. .

We were in Kansas City for a business conference and stopped in Columbia on our way back to Michigan. I had read the reviews and we found the northern entrance and parking. We didn't realize how far north and the terrain. We were trying to read the map on my phone. We didn't have a printed map. I didn't think to print one, as the ones in Michigan you can get one at the entrance of the parks, even if they aren't manned. So, definitely print a map ahead of time. The address listed is an office, which was closed when we got there on Sunday.

We did enjoy the walk, although you are primarily looking down to the uneven ground and tree roots. We finally found the southern parking lot (these are my names for them, not official park names) and how close to the rock bridge and devil's ice box it is. So, not sure on the address but when you get to the address listed here on S Highway 163 keep going south til you get to the next parking lot. It's way closer.

It was so worth the hike when we got there. I really loved the rock bridge and devil's ice box. You could really feel a temperature difference as we walked down to the bottom. I would also advice bringing a real flashlight and not the one on your cellphone. Bring your camera, a flashlight, hiking foot gear and enjoy the scenery.

Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is one of the highlights of a visit to Columbia, Missouri for anyone who enjoys nature. I went with my niece and her two young sons. We made our way to the Devil's Ice Box. The boys were fascinated by the change in temperature as we descended. The views of the foliage was beautiful!

My family are frequent visitors to Rock Bridge and it's always a great time. We tried a trail we've never been on this time-Spring Brook Trail. It was a gorgeous trail.

Seeing the cave is a must, but don't miss out on the many other beautiful, peaceful trails to explore in this natural and unique setting.

I loved the wildness of the place! Just noticed how it is totally inaccessible to people in wheelchairs. :(

Beautiful in the spring. Trails were well tended so it was easy to take a group of small children. Guide was helpful and fun.

This is a big state park that I will have to go back more to enjoy. It was really hot and we decided to do the Devil's Icebox trail. It was half a mile and had shady wooden stairs and trails all the way. I was enjoying nature but I was out of the way of creepy crawlies. The trail also went over a natural rock bridge and the Devil's Icebox collapsed cave was very cool, pretty, had neat fossils to look at in the rocks and stream running through it. The rock bridge was pretty and there was several places in the trail where you could go to "lookout" points and look down at the stream and scenery. Look out points are not for folks scared of heights. There were benches to rest on along the way.

The raised walking areas make visiting this park a pleasure. You can explore into the woods and never get wet or dirty, just take in the views and smells. This is a must stop for older folks looking to enjoy the outdoors on a leisurely walk through nature.

I have been visiting Rock Bridge State Park for many years and love exploring its many trails. I have hiked, and re-hiked all of the trails, and visit often to either get in a quick hike for fitness, or to see how the scenery has changed with the season. I have hiked the park in every season and find the changes delightful. Summers can be very hot and humid and winter can be snowy with ice, so be careful on the trails in winter. Fall and Spring are delightful and ever changing.

The rock bridge, which gives the park its name, is the most-visited part of the park with stairs and elevated walkways, but for me is only worth a few minutes exploration as I prefer hiking the less-traveled trails with less people. So check out rock bridge, And continue your exploration on the many miles of scenic trails.

I have yet to find the “wagon wheel“ that gives the wagon wheel section of trails its name, but looking for it as I hike the wagon wheel provides a side interest that forces me to scour the landscape and increases my enjoyment.

I plan to continue visiting Rock Bridge State Park often!

P.S. The only reason I could not give Rock Bridge State Park five stars was when being compared to US National Parks, it is a step below.

Took a slight detour to check out this park. What a great trail to hike! It's entirely made of decking so there are a lot of steps but it wasn't a difficult hike. The views are spectacular! Can't wait to go again when it's green and warmer.

A really green lush park with good parking and hiking and walking trails. All levels of family members can participate. My daughter is in college and I make her get out and into nature when I come to visit as it is such a beautiful park.

First, this attraction is not accessible to people using wheelchairs or other mobility devices as there are lots of stairs and uneven terrain.

This is an absolutely lovely way to enjoy the natural beauty of the state. There is a wooden trail with railings to the cave the park is named for, and once you go down into the cave, the air is nice and cool, fun for kids on a hot day. There are many scenic overlooks along the way. There are also lots of trails to hike or bike on, and some of them are open for horseback riding. Be sure to bring bug spray and water! There is a restroom for public use in the main parking lot. There are also picnic areas. Beautiful spot, don't miss it!

We love taking the kids and dogs here to hike and explore. Devils Ice Box is a Must See and the trails are a lot of fun to explore!

It was recommended that we go to the Devil's Ice Box by our hotel reservationist and we did. My wife works with native plants and she loved the park. We spent about 3 hours taking pictures of native plants, ie: blood-root, Dutchman's breeches, toothwort and we were amazed at the number of Buckeye trees in the park.

Beautiful scenery, wonderful hikes. Natural rock bridge and great cave to explore. Great place for a "Natural place to picnic and explore

Get a map of this park, there are many options to fit your time frame or fitness level
We've gone on every option and all are worth it. It's nice that you can be out in the woods so close to the city.

i live here, it's probably one of the more fun things to do here. wear old clothes that you don't care about anymore if you wanna go in a cave.

We visited during the social distancing, so it was busier than usual. We were able to hike High Ridge Trail- and got off course. There are several "off the beaten" track trails throughout, and they are much more scenic. Devi's Icebox Trail is where the Rock bridge, caves and some sink holes are. This is a very easy walk as the whole thing is on a boardwalk. We ran out of time to explore the other 5 trails- so this would be a good weekend trip! Great for small kids, and families. Easy and challenging trails.

We took a 2.5 mile loop which was questionably marked, but had a great time navigating/creating our own trails. Be sure to read signs about terrain, as we didn't realize there would be creek crossings with no bridges (but still came out smiling!)

We were looking for a hike on Christmas Day this year so we chose this place as it had been selected as having a trail that was listed by a website as having the #8 Best Winter Hike in Missouri. The website said the Deer Run Trail was one of the top winter hikes. We think NOT!. Let's just say we do not like walking on State Park Trails that back up to peoples houses. This was a 3.75 mile hike. It was enjoyable but not our favorite hike.

We did enjoy the Devil's Icebox trail however. It was shorter but well worth the finding it. It allows access to caves and a really interesting Ice Box affect in one of the crevices. The website for the park notes that this is the most popular trail in the park. We believe it. It was very interesting. The trail full circle was only 2/3rds of a mile. This is a definite do anytime of the year. We rate this State Park four stars on the Devil's Icebox Trail alone. Just Do it!

Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is a beautiful, well maintained state park in Columbia, Missouri which offers something for everyone. There are great hiking and nature trails, as well as the Devi's Icebox cave which you can get guided tours in. Definitely worth a visit!

Excellent park! The trails are well maintained and there's lots of parking available. Lots of beautiful photo ops!

We enjoyed our hike here even though it had alot of steps. The cave area was pretty neat to explore. We were there in the fall and it was beautiful. Definitely planning another hike there

This is a great state park -- trails for runners, walkers, mountain bikes, well maintained but not over-groomed. Great all times of the year. Dogs are welcome (on a leash) and the trails are well marked.

This is a wonderful place to just let go and enjoy everything away from everyday life. A great place to mediate, too. Great for taking photos, too and an awesome romantic walk together with your loved one. It's also a great place for kids to use their energy and to learn about nature.

I have been going to this park since I was a small child. There are great boardwalks to a cave called "Devils ice box" there are other numerous trails. Dogs love to run through the woods. It's a great place to find Pokemon if you are into that sort of thing. There are maps and safety precautions at major trail heads and bathrooms inside the park.

Great for hiking! The park has multiple trails of varying lengths, and devil's icebox is always fun to stop by! One of the trails goes through water so it's best to wear shoes you're comfortable getting wet. You can also go under the rock bridge.

We enjoyed Rock bridge! The park rangers station was very helpful with giving us a map and information! It had rained a lot so didn't get to go walk in the cave but that would have been awesome!

Staying in moberly with work a few of us wanted to see something amazing, and we did. Beautiful area nice trails waters moving in the back ground. Just us and nature very well kept, go enjoy.

THE park to see in Columbia, Rock Bridge features the natural bridge and Devil's Icebox, but it has so many other great views and trails and more trails! Always carry a big for trash. Love he land!

I have visited, attended programs, and volunteered at Rock Bridge for many years, solo, with family or friends and with environmental groups. It has much to offer. It has a variety of ecosystems: largely karst wtih woods, streams, caves and rolling hills, as well as remnant and restored prairie land.There are many miles of trails, from easy to more difficult, from wooded to prairie, wild areas as well as more developed areas with boardwalks. The Devil's Icebox cave provides habitat for 6 varieties of bats, two of which are endangered, and the pink planarian worm which occurs nowhere else on earth. Due to the risk to bats, that cave is currently closed to the public, but in the past it has been open only for special tours-and believe me, you wouldn't want go go without that guidance-you canoe the first half mile or so. The smaller Conner's cave, which has the same opening, is open and fun to explore.
RBMSP offers many educational and fun events. Great for solo or families or anybody. However many trails would be difficult or impossible for those with physical limitations.

While the wooden path to the Devils Icebox is easy to use and worth the trip, the other trails were virtually impossible to follow. We started on a one mile loop and wound up lost for a couple of hours. Speaking with friends, I found they had similar experiences. A stencil and a can of spray paint could easily rectify the situation. Having hiked all over Europe, I am embarrassed by the pitiful signage available in this park!

Every time that I make a visit to Columbia, I have to stop at this beautiful park. I have been going since I was a kid and my parents were the first to introduce me to it. If you go, make sure to check out the Devil's Icebox.

I came across some pictures of Devil's Icebox on Facebook and decided to check it out. Over Labor Day weekend I took the kids and we packed a lunch and headed out to the park. I was completely amazed with this place. The trails are clean and level, and the cave is absolutely amazing. I didn't realize that we could go deep into the cave so I only had my cell phone for a flashlight. I told the kids next time we will bring real gear and extra flashlights because once inside it is pitch black. I was just amazing a cave up and personal.

My suggestions if you decide to go:
1. Dogs are allowed that is a plus
2. Bring the right kind of shoes for water, and hiking
3. Pack a lunch
4. The walk to the cave has a lot of stairs up and then down into the cave so I would
not suggest for anyone who has knee issues.

This is a beautiful place to go. The whole family had a great time exploring. We did have our Mom with us and she struggled with the stairs because of her Rheumatoid arthritis but she did it! There are LOTS of stairs but it's so worth it. It's beautiful.

Very nice serene place to go enjoy outdoors and have piece of mind.. very clean and we'll kept, I'd recommend to anyone..

Plenty of birds were about on a spring day. An excellent place to hike around. The Gans Creek section was particularly nice. Watch for a little mud and keep your balance crossing the creeks!

Beautiful park near Columbia. Easy to access with multiple hiking trails. With limited time, we came to see the Devil’s Icebox. Although there’s a lot of stairs, the path is well maintained and a relatively easy trail for us. Thoroughly enjoyed our short visit.

We visited in mid- to late-October 2013. There wasn't much fall color in this part of the state. The park itself is very nice with multiple trails. However, the trails are not well-marked. We first hiked the Devil's Icebox Trail. It's actually mostly a boardwalk and stairs, not true "trail". That is easy to follow. There is a branch off to the Sinkhole Trail. That trail is not well-marked. You come to intersecting paths and there are no markers. We guessed and took one direction and never saw one trail marker and ended up intersecting a whole different trail.

Very fun to see the varying geography - caves. sinkholes, forest, rocks, prairie...

Most state parks I've visited are well keep with tolerable out houses. Not this place! All, including the men's, we're so filthy they were unusable. This is not only my opinion but also a few others who walked in and immediately turned around.

Another bummer was when we got there within operating hours the tour was closed.

We are staying in the area for a short time. (From WV)...It was an awesome place to spend the day and enjoy the scenery and best of all getting to see inside the caves...will never forget it :)

It is an amazing trail to walk on, perfect to hike! The view is beautiful and you can choose for yourself how long of a walk you want to take.

All of Missouri state parks are a cut above others I've seen. Rock bridge is no exception. Close to the city, this park is a great place to get out and enjoy an afternoon. Plenty of parking and easy access to a great number of wooded trails.

Definitely a must see! FREE to get in - several easy, planked walkways to get to some incredible sites at the Park. We visited Devil's Icebox (but did not climb down into the water) and got some great photos. Great place to consider even if you don't have a lot of time on your schedule to get out into nature.

The "Rock Bridge" is a remnant of the cave that at one time filled the entire valley. The stream that hollowed out the cave by carrying away the limestone, still flows most of the year. The "Devils Ice Box " is the entrance to what remains of the cave and the several miles of caverns that exist today. Tours of this cave can sometimes be arranged in the late spring and summer.
For the less adventurous, walking and hiking trails of almost any length set the tone for a relaxing adventure. Wildlife, both birds and mammals abound. There is no camping in the park but there are great sites, both developed and undeveloped, for having a picnic.

We really enjoyed our hike to Rock Bridge and Devil's Icebox. My husband and I took our 2 and 6 year old daughters and the terrain was perfect for their ages. Beautiful!

This park is great for all ages. There are trails of all distances with the shortest being only 0.5 miles. On that trail, you get to see Devil's Icebox and the Natural Rock Bridge. If you take the kids, make sure they have water shoes because you will not keep them out of the creek. You can also mountain bike on some trails and horseback ride during certain months.

just outside of columbia city limits this place is scenic, tho usually quite populated w/ tourist and school kids

I've been here 4 times now and it's a great place to get out of town real quick and discover local nature. Awesome rock bridge that you can go in, and also go over. There's wooden walkways all the way up and over towards the cave.

Some say it is haunted by a benevolent spirit and people have died in the cave - wow! Spooky and mysterious.

So amazing! I can't wait to go back and enjoy it again! I was so relaxed and at peace within nature.

We enjoyed the walk on the wooden trail to the Devil’s ice box and the Rock Bridge/cave. But just need to be aware of the extremely slippery steps when they are damp. I would only return here on a day without any rain or mist in the area.

Temperature was in the 90s with a lot of humidity when we visited. A trip to the Devil's Icebox was just the remedy we needed. Fairly easy hike on a boardwalk to get to the top of the Devil's Icebox. The air gets much cooler and less humid as you descend the stairs. We were able to explore Connor's Cave located at the bottom of the Devil's Icebox. Very awesome.****Be sure to bring flashlights and be prepared to get wet and dirty.

After we cooled off we ventured to the Rock Bridge. The water was low enough to safely navigate under the bridge for additional exploring and then further upstream.

Great little park, wish I had more time to explore, especially since guided tours are offered during portions of the year.

Went on the first nice weekend of the spring. Devil's Ice Box was packed but right across the road are a gorgeous set of trails at Gans Creek. I brought my dog and everyone on the trail was very friendly. 8.5 miles of trail full of bluffs, wooded area, and open field. The trails are clearly marked so you know exactly where you are and which direction you're heading at all times. Definitely a new favorite hiking spot in Columbia.

This state park is awesome. The natural bridge is really fun to see and explore. Also, the opportunity to explore a cave (without a tour guide) is so fun; just be sure to have flashlights and be prepared to get a little wet and dirty. We also did mountain biking in the park, which was cool (but a tough trail) and hiked a few trails. This is a really great and unique state park.

Went to Rock Bridge with my son while doing the State Parks passport program. We went down to the Rock Bridge and down into the Devil's Icebox. The hike wasn't too strenous (a lot of stairs) and it was pretty great when we got down there. My six year old loved walking in the water under the bridge and feeling the cool air at the Icebox. Beautiful park and a great time. The people of Columbia are lucky to have such a great place so close.

Missouri has many great State parks, and Columbia is fortunate to have many of them. wonderful hiking trails.

get your steps in and enjoy nature! See the caves, as well as animal foot prints, and many rock formations. Devils icebox is amazing> lots of trees, wear a hat, and bring drinks! But.. its free!!

Has lots to do. There are gravel trails and natural trails. Trails for horses as well. Creeks galore and the Devil's Ice Box cave. Lots of picnic areas and shelters

We did the short Devil's Icebox trail. There were lots of stairs but the trail is all boardwalk - perfect for burning energy of 4 and 7 year olds. The views were beautiful. This was a great stop during a road trip and I would definitely recommend it to others.

My wife and I love to hike and bike. Rock Bridge is great hiking. It provides nice rock trails and a very nice wooden trail that leads to Devil's Icebox. There are a lot of photo opportunities on all of these trails.
Bring your flashlights and take a walk into the cave. It has low ceilings in places and gets tight so beware! I highly recommend Rock Bridge State Park to anyone looking for a great hiking spot.

This state park provides great short hikes, geologic formations, and an interesting history. I love to walk here and take photographs.

Our teenagers loved this place. There is lots of hiking on nice trails. The cave to explore was really cool. We used the flashlights on our phones to get all the way back into the cave. Never explored a cave on our own before so this was super fun.

The park has some pretty formations and some nice boardwalks if you can't handle mud/rocky terrain. Always enjoy our hikes here no matter which trail.

Columbia is lucky to have a beautiful state park so close to the city...I've been here several times with my sister and friends and we always have a great time...there are short trails, and longer ones for a good day hike..the devils icebox is a great place to go in the summer as it is very cool, and you can go back into the cave a short distance without gear (although a flashlight is recommended)..actually I recommend bringing the ten hiking essentials for any day hikes as the park closes at night, and we've gotten turned around on some of the longer trails before...maps are available at the devils icebox trailhead, always bring a map! Gans Creek Wild Area is across the road and offers even longer hikes

If you aren't used to stairs or hiking, it's not for you. Devil's Icebox is an amazing entrance to the cave even if you aren't spelunking. The park is a great experience.

Great place for family gatherings, wedding receptions, all outdoors activities. Scouts have used it in the past for many events. Well kept beautiful area, highly recommend it.

Once we found where to go for the best views, we senior citizens were able to manage the walk and stair climbing to get to various rock formations and the extremely neat caves. We were fortunate that a guide was going into the cave with lights. The cave can be seen from two different ends but, if you are capable, going into the cave is worth it. It's not called Devil's Cave arbitrarily. It is at least 10 degrees cooler (in June) as you climb the stairs down to the cave level.

This park is a lovely place to walk and commune with nature. Lots of picturesque trails that are easy to navigate. Many natural wonders to see and experience. It's gorgeous in the fall and spring and summer and picturesque in winter. Lots of covered shelters for a picnic. Enjoy getting back to nature.

This park captures beauty, and serenity along with breathtaking views of cliffs, streams and nature at its best. Not to be missed.

Excellent area to go hiking and having a picnic with family and friends! Love the cave area and exploring!

The 2 "main attractions" to rock bridge are easily accessible by boardwalk and very short walks of about half a mile. There are several hiking/biking trails from 1.75 to over 8 miles also. All the trails I have hiked have intersecting trails not mapped or the trail markers point in 3 different directions while also not mapped. In some areas the bushes cover the trail so thick your shins get scratched. Grassy trail areas full of chiggers. I personally don't consider a mowed area of terrain a trail but whatever they inserted a large portion of what was once mowed grass now ankle high and returning to wild state. VERY poor signage. I have come across several people lost on the trails due to unmarked connecters and poor signage. The streamside trails are very pretty, though.

This park is centered around a natural rock bridge formation with an extensive cave network and several water features. The state has put quite a bit of money into the park making it easily accessible without detracting too much from the natural vista. There are fantastic photo locations all over the park. Its my favorite park.

Loved the short hike and the fact that the trail was mostly wooden for the Devils ice box and the rock bridge trail since the ground was a bit soggy. Absolutely beautiful area. The Kids and I enjoyed exploring the cave. Bring waterproof shoes to keep your feet dry or you can balance on rocks and get a bit wet.

I live in Columbia and have been to Rock Bridge State Park many times. The walkways are amazing, well-constructed and well-maintained. Devil's Ice Box is so much fun to climb into and explore a little. The difference in temperature from the top of the stairs to the entrance is crazy. There are occasionally guided tours if you're into that. We just like going out every fall and wandering around on our own. This park is one of the great perks of living in Columbia.

Absolutely gorgeous! We are very fortunate to have this gemstone in our town! Rock Bridge is an incredible place to go for a quiet hike filled with wildlife and peace! Not to mention, you can be as close to others as you want or solo. Perfect way to spend the morning exploring.

Devil's Ice Box is a great trail but tons of stairs so beware if your knees are bad. Close to town but feels like you are very far away.

This is a lovely place to spend a leisurely few hours. Good place to exercise, as much of the paths in the park are boardwalks, sometimes with lots of steps. Bring a picnic!

I feel close to the earth and to God here in this beautiful park. I like to meditate at the top of the entrance to the cave - very peaceful and powerful place. Lovely walk on wooden boardwalk, which is hilly and good exercise. Other trails, too. Love it.

Minutes from downtown columbia lies rock bridge state park with amazing trails and geological formations and a beautiful creek that sometimes flows underground through caves and overhangs that are accessible. On many afternoon days rangers are available at the devil's ice box with hard hats and flash lights for the descent into the cool cave and creek area that formed from a sink hole. This place is a stable temperature year round making it very cool all summer and warm in the dead of winter. You are allowed to walk several hundred feet in the pitch black through the cave and wading in the creek till the water gets deeper and goes underground beyond reach. This cave has a pink planarian that exists no where else in the world. The park has miles of trails and lots of native trees and wild flowers and other plants.

We were in town for a swim meet and wanted to see the area. We visited the park house and the ranger was very helpful. The devil’s icebox was well maintained and a nice walk. It was free so can’t beat the price!

I love the trails and creeks through here. I brink my dog frequently for walks and on really hot Missouri days the shaded trails stay fairly cool.

Great place for the family to hike or have a picnic. Great trails, been going here since I was a kid.

we were on our way from st.louis to kansas. and stoped by in jefferson and then to columbia. this is such a nice place to hang out. the kids would love it. the park is so big. we didnt spend much time in the park but went to the devil'd icebox cave.
that place is so so so goood. i have to say it, coz am a adventurous kind of person. its not that adventurous but i would say 10% adventure and 90% fun.
the cave tour is just 15-20 minutes. that was just superb. the guide was peter. he is just amazing, funny and very interesting guy.
Me and my husband enjoed it a lot. i even saw small children mayb 3-4 yrs old going inside the cave.
its dark and it was cold inside, woo... they wil give us a helmet and a torch light.
the best part is, its totally free.
The place is so clean and i would go there again and again. there are trails inside the forest. i can imagine how good it would be. we didnt have much time so, couldnt take the trails. the only thing what we did was, the cave part. we have to walk around 1.5 miles inside the forest (back and forth) , steps and trails are there. you just have to follow them. i even saw people coming with pets. they wil also have fun.
the rocks might be a little wet, so i would prefer shoes other than flip - flops or heels. and heavy carry bags can be avoided for the full enjoyment. a small bottle of water is another tip i can give you. there are plenty of steps both up and down. but those are not tiring, trust me . after all the cave is worth all those.
there are plenty of this you can do there. best place ever. you can spend more than 3 hours to explore the entire park, camping area and all. the cave would take around 2 hour including the rock bridge and cave.

You can walk around caves and explore all kinds of outdoor fun. The area is just beautiful and lush. Many things to see and do outside.

This park is easy to find and close to the southeast part of Columbia. It features a beautiful rock bridge, small streams, walking and hiking trails as well as an area for picnics. Kids of all ages will enjoy the day/afternoon here! Local schools bus students here for science trips because of the interesting formations.

Nice boardwalk trail in very scenic area. You can walk under natural bridge but be prepared to get your feet wet. Good location not far from town.

This is a great pace to visit in Columbia if you love nature!! There is a cave too! Pretty cool board that tells about it's development and existence.

to the treadmill and elliptical at the hotel, while in the area for business. Good variety of terrain and scenery.

Beautiful, easy trails even wearing a 6 month old in a baby carrier. Trails are shaded, nice even in mid-day sun. Cave and stream are not to be missed, fantastic photo op.

The walking area down to the cave is closed. It needs some serious maintenance. There are no employees working there or anything so it’s kinda creepy when you have your kids. I was disappointed

There are hiking trails well laid out and maintained; other places make it easy to leave civilization behind and to vanish into nature. Excellent place to watch birds, enjoy wild flowers, and see interesting insects.

Park has something for everyone: short trail to natural bridge, longer hiking and biking trails, or over a mile of cave system for experienced spelunkers. Lots of good birding opportunities. Having lived in Columbia over 30 years, have taken my kids and visitors there many times.

We enjoyed the trails to the rock bridge and devil's icebox. The trail was easy enough for young kids as well as a parent carrying a child.

Nice to walk these trails and enjoy the outdoors. Lots of people I know love this spot to go on walks, go spelunking, or just enjoy a day outside. They do close the caves in the winter, but the trails are open and clearly marked. The rock bridge itself is very cool to see. Not far away at all from main town of columbia

The Rock Bridge and Devil's Icebox are icons around Columbia, Missouri. The State does a relatively good job of maintaining the paths, and this is always a favorite spot for an afternoon walk regardless of the season.

The trail is really well done and is a pleasant and easy walk. the highlights are the rock bridge and the "devils ice box".

cool place to chill with friends and family, also has a cave, but don't go after evening, you can also bike there

My friend and I hiked the Spring Brook, Devils Ice Box, and Rock Bridge trails. In total we spent about 4 hours in the part. The trails were very nice and well maintained. We saw lots of Wild life and many people had dogs on the trail with them. We walked 5 miles and climbed 11 flights of stairs.

Where else can you practice cardio fitness and explore a cave? Rock Bridge is a unique destination that is essential to any trip to Columbia.

I love going to The Devils Icebox alone. There are many more trails to choose from in this area. They are all unique and interesting. If you want to go in the caves, prepare yourselfs with flashlights. Don’t go alone!!!

A great place to go. The trail was easy to walk and is not very far feom the parking lot. If you want to walk under the bridge bring some water shoes. The water was cold. I highly recommend going under the bridge/cave.

We just moved to Columbia a few weeks ago, and we don't live too far from Rock Bridge Memorial State Park. We stopped in to check out the natural bridge and Devil's Icebox. My kids (ages 10 and 14) weren't super pumped about this excursion at first (it was a little warm that day), but the trail is a boardwalk - and super easy and short, and the trip down to the Devil's Icebox is definitely worth it to cool down! They were thrilled as we stepped down into the cooler temps, and then they had a great time splashing around the natural rock bridge. You could spend an hour just in this area and see what you want, or you can spend a lot more time checking out the trails and taking a longer hike. We are definitely going to check out the other trails in the park when we get a chance, and even though we haven't been on them yet - I already know that we'll need to be prepared with bug spray. (The bugs - especially ticks - are abundant around here!)

Rock Bridge state park has always been a local favorite among hiking trees 🌲 🥾 and caving systems.

Devils ice box happens to be one of the largest caving systems and may still do tours back in, but going into the main opening is always a fun memory.

Great trails ⛰ are maintained and sprawling, shooting off in different routes that can loop back making it nice for trail running. Using AllTrails is a good app if you don’t know the area want to learn about what connects through Rock Bridge State Park.

Seriously the best park in Columbia. Rock bridge park does consist of mostly wooden stairs, stairs, walkways, and more stairs. I cannot imagine that is would be wheelchair accessible hardly at all. That being said, it *is* beautiful. There are regular dirt trails as well and some sand bars that are fun to check out. It's a fun park to just explore.

The cave entrance can be accessed, and you can step just inside. As others have said, it is very slippery. For anyone out of town, this is a real cave and has areas partially submerged. To actually explore it you have to sign up for a real tour. You might be able to see a few bats just at the entrance of the cave.

What a great park! We spent several hours just wandering around, climbing all over and even took a free cave (mini) tour!
The regular tours are postponed because the poor bats are sick, but the mini tour was worth it. The walkways were really cool and literally went all over.
There were lots of families with small kids having a good time, so it's definitely family friendly.
We could have walked for way longer, but decided against it only because it was close to lunch time.
I'd love to come back and go on a longer hike in the future!

It's nice that they have wooden trails if you don't want a real hiking experience but just a nice walk surrounded by great beauty. It's appropriate for almost anyone, there are hills and stairs, so it's not completely leisurely but you can take it slow if need be. There are also places to get off the "beaten path" for a real hiking experience and you can even go on a guided spelunking tour of Devil's Icebox.

Went here for a half-day. It was a Sunday so the office was closed, but that also meant far less people. They have maps posted near the trail heads, but there are also individual maps you can get from the outside the office. There policy about going in the Devil's Icebox was unclear, but that may have been because the office was closed. You need a proper flashlight and a guide in order to go exploring the cave. Regardless, go there any way - it's at least a 20º difference, which can be heaven during hot summer days. The trails are clearly marked and color-coded.

The park is free, so get there and enjoy it.

Great park to explore. There are many hills, walkways, informational signs, and even a cave called Devil's Icebox. There is so much to see, and there are even fossilized trackways in some of the rocks.

Rock Bridge is a park for everyone. If you like a nice quiet stroll through the woods or slamming down a rocky hillside on your mountain bike, you have to come here. Just outside of Columbia, this place offers a great escape from the hustle of the growing city.

The rock bridge that the park is named after is massive. Formed after a partial cave collapse, the rock bridge allows visitors to take an unique look at what gives Missouri our nickname, "the Cave State". Also, for the adventurous, bring a flashlight and explore the Devil's Icebox. It stays pretty cool all year round and after traversing a well maintained boardwalk and stairwell, the cave is like something from a movie. Bring a flashlight and don't go alone. During heavy rainfall be very cautious and never go in if there is signs warning against this. I have personally been on several rescues down here during bad weather and it's because people don't heed the warnings. Don't let this scare you though, during normal weather conditions, this place is incredible and well worth the trip.

Worth the trip to see this. Be sure to take your head lamp and waterproof shoes and explore the underground cave.

Rock Bridge Memorial Park is very scenic, the trails range from easy to moderate with some hilly terrain. Depending on when you visit, the more popular trails might be a bit crowded. Overall, this is a great place for a family picnic, or to get out and explore some beautiful areas. One caution is that the maps are not great, and in some cases the trails are not clearly marked at intersections. If you take a wrong turn it might take you much longer than you thought to get back to the parking area. Still, well worth the visit. Take a picnic lunch...and find a nice creek to sit by while you watch the wildlife playing in the trees.

Decided to take family for a walk to Devil's Icebox while they were visiting in August for the eclipse. The walk can be steep at times, but very rewarding at the end. The kids loved the cave and the adults loved the cool-down.

We took grandkids here for a hike. There are plenty of steps and trails to wear them out...us too. The rock bridge is so cool with the stream running under it. The cave/Devil's Icebox, beckons to be explored as well. Very scenic any time of year.

Took my girlfriend here on our first date in 2001 and 15 years later, returned with her as my wife and with our 3 kids. Our kids didn't care much for the story of first date, but they did love running around the trails and exploring nature. We didn't get to experience "Devil's Ice Box" due to the hibernating bats, but I doubt our kids are going to let us go another 15 years before visiting again.

A very cool way to be in nature. I do not personally feel like you have to be in excellent shape to walk this trail, however I do not recommend taking someone who has a hard time walking stairs or long distances. The cave was very cool you can walk through it on your own or in a tour. I recommend this for anyone who likes nature and burning calories.

The park has been updated since I used to frequent in the 70's, with wooden decks and paths to both the Rockbridge and Sinkhole (Devil's Icebox).

Up the road is Rock Bridge City Park with great playground for kids of all ages. Our crew varied in age from 8 months to 60's!

We were really surprised at how beautiful it was tucked back in among the trees and rocks. There were interesting things to see at every turn. The kids loved running on the trails.

I would highly recommend the park for a family outing. They is a guide that explains the park and the children will like the cave.

Awesome park , wooden walkways make it so easy to get around the trail areas. Great place to bring the kids or dogs or both !!

We took our grandchildren here, specifically to go to the devils icebox, which did not disappoint! It turned out being a 96° day, and the icebox was cool and refreshing and lots of fun to walk through. The walk down involved a good number of stairs, so probably not for people with bad knees.

We went on a hike over the weekend. There were 5 adults and 7 children (ages 12-3). It was a easy hike everyone had fun and no accidents. The "cave" was fun for the boys to explore. This is a fun family day. The bathrooms were clean at the end for the kids to take a break.

We go with family hiking the well marked trails. Only issue it is often very busy and parking.is an issue.
Wonderful grounds and walkways.

Got married under the rick bridge decades ago :)

Of the several choices of trails, we (including an 11 and 13 year-old) hiked the Devils Icebox Trail. Even though it is only 1/2 mile, we spent over an hour doing it because we enjoyed ourselves so much. True beauty including walking under a natural rock bridge and later descending the easy stairs toward the cave entrance. It was 100 degrees on the day of our visit, but as we went down toward the cave entrance, the temperature (while we were still well outside the cave) was in the 60's. So comfortable. We sat there to look at the lush growth on the high rock walls outside the cave. While sitting there, we spent minutes watching a bat zip back and forth expertly catching insects. Then, to add to the magic, a humming bird showed up to give us a show. A wonderful place.

Some really cool geological features and streams. You’ll see Rock Bridge in an easy walk for anyone and then on the uppermost level (lots of stair climbing) you’ll find Devil’s icebox. Then go up and dow more stairs to look inside the cave and observe the drop in temperature—maybe 15-20 degrees!

Very nice park with good hiking and mountain biking. The Devils Ice Box is a great visit as well. Highly recommend it.

Depending on the other visitors, you'll have a nice quiet spot to walk around with friends or family and enjoy the state park. We stayed mostly on nice built-up walkways which were very accessible and clean. Check out the Devil's Icebox!

If you come in by the Devil's Icebox you can take a great walk on wooden walk ways that are a pleasure to walk. It is NOT handicap accessible as there are Many stairs.

This state park has much to offer (as do all of MO's 50+ state parks). There are trails for every skill set, great place to trail run, trails connect so distance can be a quick 2 mile run to a long distance trail run and the scenery is amazing. After the run you can cool off in Conor's Cave (same entrance as Devils Icebox, which at this time 2014 is closed due to White Nose Syndrome). Great place to visit multiple times and see new things each time.
There is not bathrooms at each trail head.

We only had a few hours to explore and chose this park to hike. We took the spring brook trail head into the interconnected trails. It was an easy hike (good after a 2 HR drive). It was the morning following rain so the ground was slippery in spots but the scenery was worth it. The network of trails leads to the devil's icebox and a gentle stream.

Although I would prefer to go on a weekday to meet fewer people, this is still a nice piece of wilderness surprisingly close to Columbia Missouri. Take a quality flashlight, perhaps mudboots and rough clothing if you are interested in getting into the caves. There is little danger but ample mud which is avoidable. I prefer the Gans Wild Area on the East side and there are several miles of wooded trails there and in the rest of Rock Bridge SP.

Great for walking or running while enjoying the scenery- especially during the warm & humid summer months. The trails have a lot of variety & seem to go on forever. Must see when in Columbia.

I remember going to this park as a kid and now I take my children. Beautiful beautiful place to walk and there is different paths depending on how much energy you have . They even have handicap walkways for those who need them or have strollers.

We were looking for something for the kids to get out and do (stretch!) on our trip down I-70 and found this state park. The kids LOVED stopping here and walking the trail. The walk to Devil's icebox is a perfect "hike" for younger kids because it's a boardwalk type hike with stairs BUT also quite a bit of flat ground and is only a half mile walk. It was easy for our 3 young kids (5-10), but strenuous enough to wear them out and have them fall asleep when we got back on the car. Strongly suggest doing the whole path first in tennis shoes, but throw some flip flops in a bag and kids can walk in the water at the end. That was our kids favorite part! We had a great time and spent about an hour and a half there.

There are picnic tables (most in the shade) and port-a-potties there to use. Lots of people had dogs on a leash (one of our kids stepped in dog poop unfortunately), so something to keep in mind as well. This would not handicap accessible and there are a lot of stairs to maneuver.

This park offered nice hiking trails and cave tours. It was very crowded but definitely worth the stop.

I grew up in Columbia and went to Rock Bridge grade school. This park has been developed into a great hiking area in the past 40 years. It's beautiful!!

Kiddos loved it. Catching minnows and frogs in the creek, climbing on the paths just off of the wooden path. Wish we would've brought headlamps for the Connors cave though.

We brought our 12 and 13 year old here, and we all had a blast. Tons of trails to choose from. You could stay an hour or all day exploring. Our kids LOVED being able to walk around in the water and explore under the cave.

I agree with some of the other reviewers that the trails need to be better marked. Even with carrying the map and referring to it constantly, we had a difficult time, and were often unsure of which way to go. One of the mistakes we made caused us to totally miss the big sinkhole, which was one of the things my youngest was most excited about seeing. By the time we realized it, we were too far away to back-track.

However, I will say that we did not visit the information building before hitting the trails, so maybe we could have found a better map/more info? Not sure. All we could find at the actual trailheads, was the one map that I considered pretty basic and not super helpful.

Overall though, a very nice place. The boardwalk areas are phenomenal, and make those areas more easily accessible for some that might not physically be able to handle a rocky trail.

I took my niece and nephew here and we all had a blast. Spent the day running around the trails looking for wildlife (bugs and lizards) and had a nice picnic lunch. Lots to see here.

This park has a lot to offer. There are sinkholes and various trails/boardwalks. The two main attractions are the Devil's Icebox--a sinkhole cave where you can see bats--and a natural, huge rock bridge.

There are lots of picnic tables, and this is a very pretty place to eat.

You can come to the park for a whole day, or just an hour or two. We have gone many times throughout the year, and enjoyed it each time we've gone.

Though Rock Bridge is not especially exciting compared with a lot of state parks, this is by far the best hiking place in Columbia.

We go there every Sunday. We start off with the Devil's Icebox and then we hit maybe Gans Creek. It is a great place to do easy hiking and rugged hiking.

Rock Bridge State Park is a preserve built around an extensive cave system. At the front, and accessible, is the rock bridge itself--a cave that collapsed so that both ends are visible, with a creek running through it. The state parks have developed a boardwalk (lots of stairs) up and over the rock bridge and around the enormous collapsed sinkhole, with access to Devil's Ice Box cave during the spring and summer. There are also a number of hiking trails in the park and the adjacent Gans Creek nature area. Beautiful at all seasons, with good signage along the boardwalk.

LOOVVE THIS place. spent the weekend in columbia, came here and waded in the cave and the stream. we end up coming back the same day. take water shoes and flashlight. slick rocks and water. its a peacful place to spend some time. worth coming to

It is a beautiful place to stay and take your time. There's a lot of climbing by foot on decks and gravel. The cave is great just wear good shoes.

This is a great place for family hiking and picnics. I took the boardwalk with the steps to the rock bridge and then on to the devils icebox. You could stop and walk in the creek or walk around on dirt paths as you liked. There were more hiking trail in the park, I just choose the easy one.

This beautiful park is a great place to go to get away from it all. There is a natural bridge, hiking trails, picnic shelters and more.

Nice place to go for a walk in the woods. Some steep hills, so be prepared. Caves may contain bats, so be careful. Walkway is clean and sturdy.

Rock Bridge is a great place to spend your weekend. Whether it is just yourself, or you take your dogs, there is a ton of great things to do! The trails are great and the Devil's Ice Box is something you have to experience!

I have spent many wonderful hours at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park. The terrain is varied from grasslands to hilly woods with bluffs. There is a great wood boardwalk around the karst area and trails throughout the park. Some of the trails are in the wild area where the trails and hiking are not man made. The cave experience is extraordinary. It was sad when the caves were limited because of white nose syndrome affecting bats and I'm not sure what the current status of that is. There are wonderful picnic areas. So, bring a picnic, plan to spend some time exploring all the wonderful facets of the park. The staff are also great!

I have lived in Columbia, MO my whole life and Rock Bridge State Park is one of my favorite places to visit. There is so much to explore you can spend days walking the many trails (I even got lost once on a trail having fun turning at different forks-no worries I found my way out!), exploring Devil's Icebox cave, having a picnic lunch, watching wildlife such as deer, climbing rocks, and more! We have visited many, many times. It's fun for couples, families, friends and even solo!

Devil's Icebox cave is a must visit. There are many excellent trails, and the rock bridge is remarkable. Definitely a place to see when you visit Columbia.

Don't pass up on the Devil's Icebox!!! Backpacking, Hiking, Exploring, or just trying to get some nature time in...This is a sweet retreat hidden among the 170 corridor.
We could have spent all day here with it's dreamy views, lush vegetation, and amazing sunset.

We had a wonderful day walking the pathways and exploring everything around us. Plenty of areas to stop & rest as needed, but all in all a great park to explore!

We all had a wonderful day there had a picnic and we took a lot of very beautiful pictures. I miss my home state.

Just five minutes from the commercial streets of south Columbia, this special place, with many options of hiking trails, is a local treasure.

Rock Bridge Memorial State Park occupies many acres in the Columbia area. There are several places where you may enter the park and a whole variety of hiking trails available. Be sure to stop by the park office, chat with the ranger about the various trails, and get a map. In addition to nice hiking, there are lovely picnic areas, and it is a great place to star gaze. Get away from the city in the late afternoon after work and enjoy the natural world while you exercise. The rock bridge and Devil's Icebox cave are probably the main attractions, but there is much more to enjoy in this outstanding Missouri park.

Absolutely beautiful! A lot of wildlife, beautiful scenery and designated walking paths easy to walk on.

Went for a hike in this park, late summer, and discovered this gem of a park just South of Columbia. Ended up taking over 100 photos of waterways, sinkholes, vistas, easy walkways, and much more. Ended up spending about 3 hours taking in the views and still need to go back for more with each season’s change.

Wooden walking trail. Nice area for a picnic or to relax. Has an actual old rock bridge that you can view. Bathrooms across from parking lot.

We were recommended to do this hike on our way from Jefferson City to Arrow Rock by my sister-in-law since it was just 5 miles west of our route. Are we glad we good the time! This is in a fantastic natural setting that is filled with the opportunity for exercise (many boardwalk steps to see it all as well as long paths and level boardwalk). The steps down into the open-aired cavern was refreshing as you could feel the big drop in temperature even before starting down. The water flowing through the cave was an added bonus. It is very lush and work is underway to make the park even better with a signpost at the trailhead and boardwalk replacement. Overall, a wonderful experience!

Rock Bridge Park is beautiful and has numerous different trails - it is a wonderful place to visit & hike in.

We were in a hurry and came primarily to visit the Devil's Icebox trail. The trail is really a series of ascending and descending boardwalks. It much have been near 100 degrees the day we went. Once we were down in the cave, the temperature felt like it was 65 degrees. We didn't bring a flashlight, but the app on my cell phone worked well enough to do some exploring. Leaving the cave, the heat will hit you once you've climbed up about 100 steps. This was a joyful, serene placed filled with a lovely filtered green slight streaming down from above. Well worth the time to stop on our way out of town. The park has numerous trails, some quite challenging. The park appears to be smaller than it really is - it covers quite a bit of ground, with trails ranging from easy to challenging. Here's a hit about the Devil's Icebox trail - you can leave it a different way that is easier on the knees - a gentle, sloping downward path. Not as tough as doing all of the stairs back up into the heat.

The park is free. Multiple parking locations, so get a free map at any entrance and park nearest your choice of trails. The rock bridge and devil's I've box are on the same trail. The trail is easy except it does have a lot of steps.

This is a beautiful park five miles south of Columbia. It has a lot of hiking trails. We did the devil's icebox trail which took us to a neat cave. The trail was mostly boardwalks and a fair amount of steps. There are maps at the visitor center, park ranger office. It is a great park for families as it is clean and well kept.

Enjoyed the Sink Hole Trail. The signage on the Grasslands Trail was a little confusing. A really friendly volunteer gave us a map.

This is a great place to hike and explore the natural beauty of Missouri. I have been coming here for well over 30 years. I've watched the park change over the years, and it's one area in Missouri that continues to flourish. There are great paths based on hiking skills, and places to go with young children.

This park has a lots of well maintained trails, and a fun cave entrance to explore. I have yet to see the park very busy, but that is kind of nice.

This is a well hidden secret in Columbia. Its a very large park (so much so that annually they end up rescuing lost hikers) varied vegetation and lack of crowds makes it an ideal walk in the woods any season of the year.

We visited this park from Kansas. It is incredible that this Missouri State Park is so close to a fairly large city. The park has a little for most everybody. Some of the views that are very accessible are quite interesting. The hiking trails are good and there is an orienteering course permanently set up, which provides a fairly rare opportunity to engage in this activity. We will return and tour it more completely.

Hiked for 3 hours, not by choice, hiked due to lack of signs. All I can say is make sure you do your homework beforehand and know the length and time on the trails. We had no idea the park was so large. We were told it was a nice hike and it was, we were just uninformed about the park. Our fault. We will be back but with water and proper shoes!

If you want a little park with a big heart and a great adventure for free this is the park to go to. I've been taking my kids there for ever. Bats, fish, scenery and coolness and running water it has everything!

Rock Bridge is a great place to hike with wonderful trails and well marked pathways. Like all places in Mid-Missouri, take your bug spray. It is tick and chigger season and the nasty bugs are out in force!

We visited on Memorial Day weekend and hiked to the rock bridge and Conner's cave. Both areas had water running through them, so bring extra shoes or go slow and stay on the rocks. Conners cave was so cool even on a very hot day, felt great. Most of the trail was on boardwalks with stairs and handrails. It was a busy weekend during Covid-19 but we still found a parking spot.

Miles and miles of trails roam around this huge park located just south of Columbia. Devil's Icebox trail has a lot to see for such a short length, and High Ridge Trail is my favorite

Easy parking...beautiful, natural beauty...easy to access and navigate walkways...Enjoy God's beautiful creation at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park!

This is a beautiful park with good trails and boardwalks. The ice box is a must stop when in season. Decent facilities and easy to access.

Visited the Rock Bridge Memorial State Park and was astounded that there was no parking fee. This over 2,000 acre park has the Rock Bridge which was created by a section of a cave collapsing. You can explore the cave which has an underground stream running through called the Devil's Icebox. There are also several sinkholes throughout the park. There are very nice wooden and packed gravel trails to walk. The area is absolutely gorgeous and cool on a hot summer day. Highly recommend,

My daughter took us hiking after Thanksgiving dinner and I'm so glad she did! Rock Bridge Park is such a great place to hike - I liked all the stairs up and down - a good workout! Also fun to explore under the Rock Bridge. I would recommend this park to anyone.

We took our young boys 4 and 6 to the park. They loved walking in the creek and caves. It's a great place to spend the day and bring a picnic lunch. The trails are marked well. Overall a great day something for everyone in the family.

Took some friends to walk to Devil's Icebox, and we went as far in Connor Cave as I've ever been in past. One of my favorite places when we visit Columbia

Beautiful park with lots to do. It's nice becasue there are very easy walk ways for those that are interested in seeing nature without much physical exertion. For those open to more strenous activity the hiking is great, both on and off platforms and the caves are beautiful

I love to go here and have been going since I was a teenager. My child loves the trail to Devil's Icebox and going into the cave. It is alot of steps and if you are looking for a good work out this is it. It is worth it the sights are great and if you go on the sinkhole trail there is an old foundation of a buliding on a hill and further down an old silo.

Lots of trails and great exercise.If you look close enough in the ceilings you can see bats.Lots of fun going in the cave.Make sure you bring a flashlight.

I'm not just biased because I live here- I prefer mountains and/or ocean views- but if you find yourself in the middle of the country, there IS still beauty all around Rock Bridge State Park (RBSP). There is also variety with trail types and difficulties and lengths. Trails are well maintained and there are educational installations in some areas.

For a shorter and easier walk, Devil's Ice Box is the classic trail that highlights the 'rock bridge' name sake as well as connor's cave. Kids, elderly, dogs on leashes are all welcome- but there are STAIRS so no strollers/wheelchairs. There are restrooms and a picnic area at this trailhead also.

Sinkhole trail offers a well worn dirt trail for a moderate length hike, and exploring the old homestead foundation and silos can be fun.

For a true hike with a feeling of being in solitude, Gan's Creek Wild Area offers several miles of trails. I prefer the 'shooting star' trailhead for some awesome bluff top vistas, but 'wagon wheel' winds along the valley and creek and is also spectacular.

There are several other trails and they have a good website, so please refer to this for details on milage and maps.

Nice short hike - mostly on stairs. Free, easy access, and a cool breeze from the caves below. Daughter was (9 months) pregnant and we were keeping her walking. Didn't put her into labor, but was still a nice walk.

This little state park has a lot to offer. There’s a rock bridge and a cave to explore, many trails, and it’s a great place for a picnic. The river is pretty serene and a great place to go to get away from it all.

Deer, birds, and the rustling of leaves greeted me as I explored the park for a good 5 hours. The rivers and waterfalls aren't flowing this time of year but there is still plenty of natural beauty to observe. They offer trails for multiple fitness levels. Free admission and maps available at the trail heads. Worth a visit.

My daughter 13, and sons 5, and 4 visited this park for a fun outdoor family outing. We walked the trails to the Rock Bridge and to the Devils Ice Box. It was a nice walk arhat was not too strenuous. We encountered a deer on the trail, butterflies, and several squirrels.

My kids enjoyed it. When we were leaving we also got to witness a dumpster diving raccoon. My kids thought that was the highlight of the trip.

Fun park with nice trails that even young kids can enjoy.

The park is close to the center of town but offiers and outdoor experience. The Icebox to me is not as much of an attaction as are the hiking trails. It is karst topography.

The kids and I had a blast here running on all the trails! It's so neat as soon as you get close to the caves how you feel the temperature change! Great place to get some excessive and be with nature!

We visited in October. Hiked both times we went. We enjoyed the scenery but it was basically mud paths in the woods. The bridge had been flooded and eroded. They are probably planning on fixing this soon. We made our own path across the creek in a shallower area and explored the other side. Neat site to see, good excercise, probably don't need to see it again.

This was an awesome day! We walked about six miles! Everything was gorgeaous. The park service does an excellent job maintaining the grounds and the park! This is a must see for anyone that likes the out doors!

Stopped here while traveling to stretch our legs and get some fresh air. Nicely kept "trails" (wooden walkway with lots of stairs), family/pet friendly. We spent about an hour - took the Rock Bridge trail to Connor's Cave. Glad we stopped!

The 0.5 mile Devil's Icebox loop includes a hike under a rock bridge over partially submerged rocks in a wide stream bed AND a hike down stairs to a cave that can be explored. Lot's of fun and lots of stairs.

Wonderful hiking close to town. Beautiful surroundings. Easy walking trails. Well mapped. Will definitely return

A great place to hike with family or friends. We had young children and they lived exploring the cave entrance and the rock bridge. They loved walking in the stream under the bridge. A fun day of exploring.

All I can say is this is an excellent place to take the family and do some exploring if the caves and the trails. Full day of enjoyment if you take along a picnic.

The 1/2 mile boardwalk loop back to Devil's Ice Box (cave) is a family favorite when we want an easy outdoor activity for the whole family. When we have more time, we love to venture out on the other trails. The boardwalk has been under construction this year, so you can't follow it all the way around, but I'm glad they are working on. I wish they would replace the stairs down to the upper end of the Rock Bridge - as that's a really fun spot to get in and play in the water during the summer months. If you want to check out the cave, it doesn't go very far (where you can walk to the left), but bring a flashlight and wear some shoes that you don't mind getting wet. A helmet is also a good idea, but not necessary.

Loved this State Park. Many great hiking trails, although they are not very well marked. Bring along one of the maps located at the start of the trails. The bathrooms have pit toilets.

Please understand I live in Kentucky and we have a number of "Rock Bridges". One in the Red River Gorge, and of course, the grand daddy of them all, Natural Bridge, Slade, KY. This Columbia Rock Bridge was a nice, short walk from the parking lot. I took a few photos then walked a short trail that went over the creek. It was a good walk with a lot of steps. 99% of the trail was shaded. No overlooks.

I would still recommend a visit, if you have an hour or so to spare.

Beautiful views and well-traveled paths make for a nice experience for the family. Educational signs made for a quick lesson for the kiddos.

I enjoy taking my dogs here to walk the trails. During the work week you can walk the mile and 1/2 trail without running into anyone. It's very quiet and peaceful!!

Visited RB State Park with my three kids, ages 10, 8, and 3. They had a great time walking the trails and boardwalks around the rock bridge, splashing in the creek, and exploring in the caves. This is a very good way to get kids out of the house and away from devices for a couple of hours. Bring water shoes!

Aside from the pinnacles, this is probably where everyone else goes to experience the outdoors in Columbia. The cave is cool but aside from that, it’s just a trail in the woods

Beautiful place, several trails of varying length and difficulty. Has a wooden walkway around Devil's Icebox cave for those not into hiking.

I love going for a walk, hike or just getting away for a while. Excellent Park and well kept by both the visitors and the rangers

So glad we took the quick drive to the outskirts of COMO to explore this gem. It was the perfect way to spend a gorgeous fall day in Missouri. Plenty of parking and bathrooms close by. My girls and I had a blast exploring the cave and the rock bridge. The bats were an added bonus. The trails are very well marked and there were quite a few people in the park but it never felt too overwhelming. If we are in the area again, we will come back to explore some more!

A few minutes south of COMO on Route N, this state park is a great introduction to Missouri caves. There are numerous trails. However, the wooden boardwalk and packed gravel trails (near the parking lot) provide enough adventure for us. From this area, you can view interesting and beautiful geological features – a natural rock bridge, the devils icebox (cave) and a nice overlook. The wooden boardwalk provides a nice walking surface and handrails. A short stroll on the boardwalk leads to a scenic view of the creek. However, for the best views, be prepared to climb up a series of stairs. Note, this park is a popular place! To avoid crowds along the wooden boardwalk, visit on a weekday and/or late in the day.

The path through the woods to the Devil's Icebox is shady and clearly marked, has a wooden bridge and stairs in some places and a rocky dirt path in others. We went on a 90+ sunny, humid day. The temperature change on the descent down the stairs to the cave was mind-blowing (it seemed like a 40-degree drop). Even impressed the teen-agers. Worth the trip. Not handicapped accessible.

This is my all time favorite place to hike! Its worth my 2 hour drive!! The views are amazing! I love all the decking and stairs. Bring shoes to walk in the water to explore the cave!!

Great hiking areas-lots of different trails to choose from with varying lengths.. saw lots of wildlife also..

A great little place to go hiking and spend some time outdoors. There are several trails you can hike one and a couple of caves to see. Had fun walking on one of the trails. Be prepared it does have a few stairs to go up and down but still a lot of fun.

Fantastic outdoor recreation for everyone. If you are looking for a hike with your family, dog, or your thoughts, there are miles of trails, creek crossings, and rocks to help you escape it all. Mountain biking is also welcome, and the trails are great for beginners, experts, and everyone in between. Make sure the trails are open first. They are closed if they are wet to keep them from being damaged. One of the best parks in Missouri!

The Devil’s Icebox area is a rustic adventure with boardwalks.
A neat cave experience in an urban area.
Easy access with parking. No amenities at the cave entrance.
A picnic area at the top of the hill part of the Rock Bridge Memorial park.

First and foremost, I want to say this was a fantastic place to go! I walked the trail that went to the cave you can explore. The boardwalk area was a good workout with the stairs and the trails in the surrounding areas also put you through your paces.
The one caution I would give, though, is that it can be difficult to know where to follow the trails to. There were several times when a colored trail would branch in several directions even though I wasn't expecting it to. Regardless, they do have colors associated with all the trails and they are well marked. Ultimately, the problem of figuring out where trails go is a typical one if there's a complex trail system, which there was.

This state park is only 15 minutes south of Columbia and is a must for all who seek outdoor exercise.