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Matson Hill

This hilly park features rocky and rooty loops and several challenging bike-only downhill routes.

  • No Recent Update
  • Current Weather
  • Intermediate
  • About 7.5 miles
  • Multiple Loops
  • St. Charles Area

This trail, in the heart of Daniel Boone country, is 7.4 miles of 100% singletrack designed for hike and bike use only. Weaving up and down several times in a large hollow, it is a constant challenge to novice and advanced riders alike. This is some unique terrain, heavily wooded, very dark and shady, with several rock-bottom creek crossings. Due to the steepness of the terrain, the area wasn’t logged so it presents an uncommon setting with low volume mid-level growth, and tall old-growth trees forming a high, dark canopy. It almost has the feel of a natural amphitheater.  The trail surface is mostly dirt, with several veins of rock, and rocky creek crossings/waterfalls. Stop and look around when you reach the bottom of the valley. The trail should be ridden both clockwise and counter-clockwise; each offers its own pleasures.

PARK HISTORY

Located in Southwestern St. Charles County Matson Hill Park is a 68.5-acre park. Acquired by the County in 1975, this park’s topography is rugged wooded hills with intermittent draws or valleys. Located within the Daniel Boone Historic District, the park is reminiscent of the area during Boone’s life. In fact, it is possible that Daniel Boone walked within the park’s boundaries during some of his many journeys. This park provides a unique recreational opportunity for nature lovers or those wanting to escape into a heavily forested landscape.

Matson Hill Park is the effort that got GORC started. This is what brought the greater St. Louis area mountain bikers (St. Louis, St. Charles and Western Illinois) together as a group to create a new singletrack trail in St. Charles County.

The St. Charles County Parks Dept has put many hours of effort into this trail and making it happen for mountain bikers. They deserve a great deal of thanks for this. They have been behind this effort 100%. Many thanks go out to our friends at Momentum Cycles for the materials to build the “bridges.” The trail was dedicated June 2nd, 2001.

Directions

Get on I-64 W/US-40 W/US-61 N

Follow I-64 W/US-40 W/US-61 N and MO-94 W to Hwy F in Defiance

Continue on Hwy F to your destination
8 min (4.3 mi)

Matson Hill Park
3576 Stub Rd, Defiance, MO 63341

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Latest trail conditions

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05

Jun 2024

From ed gengenbacher on Wednesday:
Matson Hill - A few mud spots to dodge but otherwise good to go. Also, please use the bypass trail that goes around the seasonal spring on the Matson Hill Loop. The area below the spring is swampy.

03

Jun 2024

From Seth Wahlman on Monday:
Matson Hill - Still a little muddy in the downhill sections

06

May 2024

From ed gengenbacher on Monday:
Matson Hill - Lots of seepage and lots of slop.

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