White River Valley Trail (Red Loop)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

The WRV trail system consists of four loops - Red Loop, Blue Loop, Green Loop, and Orange Loop, as well as several connectors and cross trails. All in all, if memory serves me correctly, there is over 12 miles of trail in this system.

The Red trail is approximately 3.1 miles long with some fairly mild to intermediate climbs, a couple (typically mostly dry) creek crossings, nice dirt, and, of course, some good old Ozarks rock. There are a couple "Advanced" cut-through trails if you want to mix it up a bit.

The Blue Loop connects to the Red Loop on one end and Orange Loop on the other. Clockwise on the Blue Loop is a nice ride with a nice flowy section near Lake Taneycomo, then proceeding to a steady and somewhat difficult climb. Counter-clockwise on the Blue Loop is more difficult due to a fairly long, steep climb at first. Afterwards, you are rewarded with a long, flowing downhill and a few small, steeper climbs leading back to Red.

The Green Loop and Orange Loop are both shorter with a little different terrain style than the Blue and Red. They are also steeper rides with more climbing in shorter distances. Green has its own trailhead and connects to Orange, which then has a connector to Blue, so you can ride the whole trail system no matter which trailhead you start from.

All in all, this is a nice trail system that typically has a decent dirt pack instead of the gravelly marbles you might find typically in the Ozarks on more heavily-used trails. There are no man-made features on the trail and the terrain is pretty much all natural with no significant drops, jumps, or large obstacles. Pretty much all trails are fairly "experienced" beginner friendly but offer fun/challenging climbing and downhill sections for more advanced riders.

The land itself, I believe, is a joint project between the State Parks System and the Army Corps of Engineers who, back in the 1950's, used the land to quarry and transport materials for Table Rock Dam. Along the trail, you can find remnants of this use from old cable, large concrete anchors, various scrap, and quarried areas. There is also an old shack/homestead and cellar on the Green loop that is mildly interesting.