Fall is in full swing here in Columbia, and there is no better way to celebrate the return of cooler weather than a walk with your dog! We found the scoop on some of the best places for a stroll in Columbia so you can celebrate Walktober with the whole family!
Located on the west side of Columbia, Clary Shy Park is home to the ARC, Columbia Farmers Market, and Agriculture Park. This park features paved sidewalks and gravel trails for exploring the wide variety of trees and plants at the park.
Due to the seasonality of agriculture, the Agriculture Park is constantly changing, providing variety for you and your pup. Dogs really enjoy sniffing the wide variety of plants and crops. There is also plenty of green space and a playground for your human children to stretch their legs and burn off energy.
Clary Shy Community Park Details:
Address: 1701 W Ash Street
Hours: 6am – 11pm
Poop bags provided: No
Restrooms/running water: Seasonally
Lit: Partially
Leashes required: Yes
More Info: https://www.como.gov/parks/clary-shy-community-park/
Know Before You Go:
Clary Shy Park is home to the Columbia Farmers market on Saturday morning, dogs are not allowed at the farmers market.
Occasionally, manure is used to fertilize fields.
Located directly across Ash street from Clary Shy Park, Shelter Gardens is a five-acre botanical garden that is beautiful year-round. Shelter Gardens is a great place for a peaceful stroll with your dog and there are plenty of photo opportunities as well.
Shelter Garden Details:
Address: 1817 W Broadway
Hours: 8 am- Dusk
Poop bags provided: Yes
Restrooms/running water: No
Lit: No
Leash rules: Leashes required
More Information: https://www.shelterinsurance.com/aboutshelter/sheltergardens/
Grindstone nature area is a great place for walking and hiking with your dogs. It has over 9 miles of trails, ranging from easy paths to moderate/hard trails depending on your comfort level. Grindstone nature area also connects to Caspen Park. It features beautiful scenery and the Grindstone and Hinkson creeks for your dogs to splash in. There is a leash-free area of over 200 acres for your dogs to explore as well.
Grindstone Nature Area Details:
Address: 2011 Old Highway 63 South
Hours: 6 am to 11 pm
Poop Bags Provided: Community Provided (Bring old grocery bags to help contribute)
Restroom/Running Water: Year-round restrooms
Lit: No
Leash rules: Leashes are required on Hinkson Creek Trail, other than that it is leash-free.
More Information: https://www.como.gov/parks/grindstone-nature-area/
The Forum Nature Area trailhead parking lot provides access to several trail options for you and your dog to enjoy. To the east, there is the 3m Wetland Trail. This 1.25-mile loop is accessible via the MKT Trail and is a limestone gravel path that allows you to enjoy nature while also learning about the wildlife in the area. This trail is great for spotting owls, deer, and other wildlife friends.
To the west of the Forum Nature Area trailhead parking lot, there is the Forum Wetland Trails. The full trail loop is 1.83 miles, but it can be cut in approximately half quite easily. The trails are gravel and with very slight elevation changes. The Forum Wetland Trails connect to Twin Lakes park near the dog park if your dog wants to run free for a bit. The Forum Wetland Trail features lakeside views and plenty of chances to see wildlife as well.
A great feature of this trailhead and area is that there are many combinations of trails you can do to add variety to your routine and mileage needs.
Forum Nature Area Details:
Address: 2701 Forum Blvd
Hours: 6 am to 11 pm
Poop Bags Provided: Community Provided (Bring old grocery bags to help contribute)
Restroom/Running Water: Year round
Lit: No
Leash rules: 4-foot leashes required
More Information: https://www.como.gov/parks/forum-nature-area/
Pro Tip: If you want to see a lot of deer, walk on the trails in the early morning. The deer are quite plentiful and playful at that time of day.
Garth Nature Area features both a 1.5 mile trail and a fenced dog park and also serves as a trailhead for the Bear Creek Trail. The 1.5-mile trail is gravel and loops around the wetlands area and also is partially on the Bear Creek Trail. Leashes are required on the trails. The fenced-in dog park has a pond for splashing and a dog wash station to rinse away the fun afterward.
Garth Nature Area Details
Address: 2799 North Garth
Hours: 6 am to 11 pm
Poop Bags Provided: Community Provided (Bring old grocery bags to help contribute)
Restroom/Running Water: Year-round restrooms, seasonal dog drinking fountain
Lit: no
Leash rules: None required in the dog park, leashes are required on trails
More Information: https://www.como.gov/parks/garth-nature-area/
Stephens Lake Park
Stephens Lake Park is one of Columbia’s most well-known parks and the two trails within it are great ways to see everything the park has to offer. Both trails are paved and partially lit in sections.
The Lake Trail is a 0.6-mile loop around the lake. It has slight to minor elevation changes and features views of the lake throughout the entire loop. The Perimeter Trail is a 1.7-mile loop around the entire park. It does have some decent elevation changes depending on your fitness levels. The Perimeter Trail is a great way to take in almost everything that Stephens Lake Park has to offer.
Stephens Lake Park Details:
Address: 2001 East Broadway
Hours: 6 am to 11 pm
Poop Bags Provided: Community Provided (Bring old grocery bags to help contribute)
Restroom/Running Water: Year-round restrooms are located on the South Side
Lit: Partially
Leash rules: Leashes are required.
More Information: https://www.como.gov/parks/stephens-lake-park/
