COLUMBIA BOTTOMS CONSERVATION AREA

TRAIL DESCRIPTION: The Conservation Department purchased this 4,318 acre area in 1997 to create an urban conservation area. The area includes a view of the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, over 6.5 miles of river frontage, about 800 acres of bottomland forest and a 110 acre island.
From the visitors center to the Confluence Observation Platform along the paved levee trail the distance is approximately 4.75 one way. An approximate 5 mile loop can be done by starting at either the boat ramp or the Confluence Observation Platform at the opposite end. The paved levee half of the trail runs along the top of the levee through prairie, wetlands and croplands and is very exposed. The other half of the trail runs alongside the river through forested areas, sometime right along the edge of the bluff.

WHY WE LIKE IT: Great views of the confluence area and if you are into wildlife, (especially birds) it can't be beat for diversity.

DIRECTIONS: From 270, exit north onto Riverview Drive which becomes Columbia Bottom Road at Larimore Road. Entrance is approximately 2.8 miles north of 270 on the right.

TRAIL MAP

DISTANCE: up to 6.5 miles

TERRAIN: Flat. Paved asphalt on the levee trail. Dirt, and sand on the riverside trail. Watch for stumps and poison ivy along the riverside of the trail.

RATING: Easy

MORE INFORMATION: Missouri Department of Conservation Page HERE

A special thanks to Jo Ann and Bob Batzer for putting together this infoformation!

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