Monkey Mountain Nature Reserve
Monkey Mountain Nature Reserve, Oak Grove, Mo., Jackson County
Although it’s short on monkeys and mountains, the hilltop terrain and limestone boulders make for an engaging hike.
Trail Monkey Nature Reserve
Overview
Don’t go to Monkey Mountain expecting either monkeys or mountains. But if you go expecting a beautiful hilltop experience in Eastern Jackson County, you’ll be pleased. Nestled between Grain Valley and Oak Grove, Monkey Mountain is a hill that rises about 150 feet above Sni A Bar Creek. The trail up the forested hill is steep. At the top, visitors are rewarded with 360-degree views of the area (especially after leaves drop). Another highlight is the cap of limestone boulders at the top of the “mountain.” Erosion has separated the giant rocks, allowing hikers to walk between them, on them or scramble to climb them. The top of Monkey Mountain is a pastoral area with groves of forest. The area is huge: 855 acres, with most of it wooded. If you wander, you’ll find horse trails through the forest and other unofficial pathways. Plan on visiting when leaves are off and before the heat of summer. If the season is right, you can spend a delightful afternoon exploring the rolling hills of Eastern Jackson County. The All Trails app can help you find good places to walk and avoid getting lost. According to Peak Visor, Monkey Mountain is the most prominent elevation in Jackson County, Mo. It’s not the high point, but the hill that rises the highest from bottom to top.
Length The AllTrails app details several miles of trails through the park. Whether you can find them or not is another question. Plan on wandering and enjoying the area, and if you can follow a trail – it’s a bonus. You’re most likely to have success finding the back country trails when leaves are off.
Address and location 34908 E R.D. Mize Rd, Oak Grove, MO 64075
Conditions When you can find the trail, such as at the trail head in the parking lot, it’s made of dirt and is extremely steep. Beyond that there are no established trails. There are, however, the apparent remnants of a forested loop.
Kid friendly? There’s plenty to explore for kids who can make it to the boulders at the top of the hill. They might need an assist form mom or dad.
How busy? This park receives light to moderate traffic.
Pets Yes, on a leash.
Bikes Non-motorized bicycles are permitted.
