Frenchman’s Bluff Trail - Troy, MO
Frenchman’s Bluff Trail – Top Dog-Friendly Hiking in Troy, MO
If you’re looking for a scenic dog park near Troy, MO, with pet-friendly trails, Frenchman’s Bluff Trail is a great pick. Nestled in a beautiful, heavily wooded area, this natural trail welcomes hikers and their canine companions to explore 1.5 miles of varied terrain. The trail starts at the CCC Stone Shelter and Picnic Area and offers breathtaking views overlooking the Cuivre River and surrounding farmland, providing plenty of photo opportunities for you and your dog.
Frenchman’s Bluff Trail is known for its moderate workout, gentle inclines, and tranquil, less-crowded environment. With wildflowers, singing birds, and occasional encounters with horses and their riders, it’s the perfect spot for dog-friendly hiking in Troy, MO. However, trails are only moderately marked, so it’s smart to bring a map or use a GPS tracker for safety. On-site parking is available, and shaded areas throughout the woods help keep you and your pup cool on warmer days.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, Frenchman’s Bluff Trail is itself a hiking trail and connects with other nearby natural trails, offering options for extended hikes.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, the area is heavily wooded for plenty of shade, and the trail begins near the CCC Stone Shelter.
- Are there ticks or other pests common in the area? Some visitors report mosquitoes, so insect repellant is recommended.
- Where is the best place to park? There is a parking area available at the trailhead near the CCC Stone Shelter.
Reviews
Nice little hike. Great view. 1.5 miles. Only draw back is gravel road that goes right next to the bluff.
Beautiful trail, some nice scenic views
It is a heavily wooded area. If you get lost listen to the highway. I liked the hike. I also did a little exploring. I’d advise keeping a mind where you go. The paths are not marked very well. The park service needs to post bigger maps and signs on the path. I couldn’t tell where I was on the map. The map was faded by the weather.
For a 78 year old woman who is used to walking a lot this was a fairly easy trail, but varied enough to make it a moderate workout. I used my walking sticks, which were helpful on inclines and downhill. When we got to the summit and the panoramic view of the valley we didn’t see blue blazes and supposed the trail continued to the left of the road that is along some of the trail. When we only saw yellow and red blazes for about a quarter mile, we turned back and saw a blue blaze at the summit but it wasn’t pointing across the road. We had to cross the road here to continue on the Frenchman Bluff trail. Better blazing is in order. Lots of wildflowers and birds singing including a blue indigo and Eastern Woods Peewee. Insect repellant helped with the mosquitoes, so they weren’t too bad. It was neat to see horses and a mule and riders near us on the trail. We didn’t meet anyone else on the trail on a Friday mid-day. Our dog did fine on it.
Another beautiful day for hiking in eastern Missouri. This natural trail starts at the CCC Stone Shelter and Picnic Area and was one of four shorter trails I hiked today – Mossy Hill, Turkey Hollow, Hamilton Hollow, and Frenchman’s Bluff. This one was different, though, in that it led up to a bluff overlooking the Cuivre River and surrounding farmland – offering an outstanding view. The descending part of the loop parallels the bluff for a while before returning back into the forest and to the parking area. If I lived close by, this trail would be a regular calendar item.