Colosseum Trail is a 0.6 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Camdenton, Missouri that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and camping and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
This natural surface trail winds under the natural bridge and through a large sinkhole, the Colosseum, and is part of the Ha Ha Tonka Karst Natural Area. In spring, you will be treated to a lovely view of flowering dogwood, redbud and serviceberry from the wooden platform where this trail begins. The natural bridge is a massive stone arch left behind when the cave system around it collapsed. It spans 60 feet, is 100 feet high, and is 70 feet wide. The natural bridge was used as a route to the castle until it was closed to vehicular traffic in 1980 because it was too narrow. It is an impressive geological feature and one of the highlights of the park. After a heavy rain, water often cascades off the back side making its way to the lowest point in the sinkhole beyond. The Colosseum Sinkhole is 150 feet deep. Spring wildflowers are abundant in this sheltered enclave, especially in the section just beyond the natural bridge where the trail is immediately adjacent to one sheer bluff side. As you start your hike out of the sinkhole at the south end, you will step between large boulders - evidence of the rocky ceiling that one covered this cave room. It is a long, steep climb out of the sinkhole to near the top of the ridge, but the views of the old post office, spring and castle ruins at the top are a great reason to stop to catch your breath. The figure-eight loop then takes you across the top of the natural bridge and back to the trailhead.
Parking lot
Ha Ha State Park, MO 1491 State Road D Camdenton, MO 65020-9801 Park Office: 573-346-2986
Intersection of Highway 65 and 54 in Missouri, drive 54 east 25 miles to "D" highway, south on "D" about 1.5 miles to the parking lot on the right.
Awesome weather and great hiking through most of the trails. Would highly recommend! Caution if you have small children. It’s not dangerous, but I have a feeling little legs would not do well on the trail inclines.
This is an amazing place to spend the day. So many things to see, and explore. This place is also great for kids. I hiked with a 8 and 12 year old.
This trail was awesome. Varied terrain and elevation changes. The natural bridge was huge, and it connects a lot of other trails. The downside is it goes by a couple parking lots and when we went there happened to be a large group of teenagers on a different adjacent trail that were so loud you could hear them from almost everywhere. It didn’t seem to be heavily traveled beyond the bridge and was partly washed out due to recent rains but that just increased the challenge and the fun.
Good trail, I would say that moderate is an accurate rating. Very rocky and if you go around the small look clockwise instead of starting from the other side then you will go mostly uphill.
Quick 330 ft to bridge. Due to a little one being worn out from 2 previous hikes in the state park we just made it to the natural bridge. worth the quick trip down.