John J. Audubon Trail

This is a 12 mile circular loop trail. The trail was established by the BSA (Boy Scouts of America) as a memorial pilgrimage hike through the area which the great naturalist and artist John J. Audubon visited on his wide ranging bird collecting trips while living in Ste. Genevieve, MO.

The trail has two separate 6-mile loops, one north and south of Forest Road 2199. The trail route is marked with 2” x 6” white paint blazes. The terrain is sometimes steep with vertical relief of up to 300 feet. Much of the route is along perennial creeks, and creek crossings are unbridged. The primary trailhead is at the Bidwell Creek ford on FR 2199. The trail is open to hiking, mountain bike and equestrian use. The trail includes some steep rocky hills and tight curves that make mountain biking challenging. Though most of the trail is forested, it does pass through some open glades or meadows. Leave no trace and pack out what you pack in.