Fox Pen Loop

Fox Pen Loop is a short, easy hike in Missouri, about a mile from the town of Eminence. The trail is an out-and-back that starts and ends at roughly 905 feet, with a high point of 909 feet and a total climb of about 700 feet over the course of the round trip. The steepest stretch comes at about half a mile in, where the grade reaches 16 percent. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Eminence show October highs around 73°F with lows near 42°F, and April highs around 71°F. That station sits a few hundred feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the loop run a little cooler. The trail is open to both horses and bikes, so riders and pack animals can join the walk. The trip takes about an hour, and the loop makes an easy addition to a day spent exploring the surrounding area. Fox Pen Road Access is just 0.3 miles away, and Lick Log Hollow and Lick Log Hollow Nature Trail are each within half a mile. For time on the water, the Current River is about 3.6 miles off.