A new heart-pounding series of downhill bike trails opened at Matson Hill Park in St. Charles County. The mountain bike-only trails “Black Powder Run,” “Boone’s Burl,” and “Judgement Tree” are now open to the public. These trails feature drops, jumps, tight turns, and rocky terrain that will challenge intermediate and advanced trail riders. The new trails are accessed from the park’s Stub Road trailhead at 3576 Stub Road, Defiance, MO 63341.

Matson Hill Park has long been known as a destination for mountain biking because of its location in the rolling hills of western St. Charles County. These are the first trails in the county that offer one-way downhill courses dedicated solely to mountain bikes. The new trails were developed in partnership between the St. Charles County Parks Department and Gateway Off-Road Cyclists.

Riders are strongly advised to scout each trail multiple times before riding at full speed. A full-suspension bike with a dropper post, full-face helmet, and protective pads are also strongly advised. These trails are not recommended for beginning riders or unsupervised children.