Hit the Trail! Great Places to Go for a Walk or Hike Near St. Louis
When the weather is nice, it's good to get out of the city and enjoy a little of the area's natural beauty. St. Louis has some great places to go for a hike (or a leisurely walk) and take in the sun and fresh air.
Shaw Nature Reserve has more than 14 miles of trails that cut through a wide variety of native habitats including prairies, meadows and forests. Along some of the trails, hikers can see a teepee and a sod house. Others run along a peaceful section of the Meramec River.
Shaw Nature Reserve is located just off I-44 in Gray Summit, about 30 minutes southwest of St. Louis. It's open daily from 7 a.m. to sunset. Admission is $5 for adults. Children 12 and younger get in free.More »
The trails in Castlewood State Park take hikers along the bluffs high above the Meramec River. The 2,000 acre park has eight trails of various lengths and difficulty. One of the most popular is the three mile River Scene Trail which starts high on the river bluffs and ends in the Meramec valley.
Castlewood State Park is located along Reis Road in west St. Louis County. It is open daily from 7 a.m. until 30 minutes after sunset.More »
Pere Marquette State Park has 12 miles of scenic trails for hikers of all skill levels. The 8,000 acre park is popular in the winter for bald eagle watching, but it's also a great warm weather location with towering bluffs and views of the Mississippi River.
Pere Marquette State Park is located along Highway 100 in Grafton, Illinois, about an hour northeast of St. Louis. It's open daily from sunrise to sunset.More »
Powder Valley Nature Center is a good option for those wanting a less strenuous hike. There are three paved trails with varying levels of difficulty, including a short 3/10 of a mile loop that is disabled and stroller accessible.
Powder Valley is located at 11715 Cragwold Road in Kirkwood. That's near the intersection of I-44 and Lindbergh Boulevard. It's open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., in the spring, summer and fall, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., during the winter.More »
For those who want a little exercise in the city, there's Forest Park. The park has a six-mile trail encircling its perimeter. There are also hiking trails throughout the park's Kennedy Forest which are maintained by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Forest Park is located just north of I-64 between Skinker and Kingshighway in St. Louis. It is open daily from sunrise to sunset.More »
•Shaw Nature Reserve
Shaw Nature Reserve has more than 14 miles of trails that cut through a wide variety of native habitats including prairies, meadows and forests. Along some of the trails, hikers can see a teepee and a sod house. Others run along a peaceful section of the Meramec River.
Shaw Nature Reserve is located just off I-44 in Gray Summit, about 30 minutes southwest of St. Louis. It's open daily from 7 a.m. to sunset. Admission is $5 for adults. Children 12 and younger get in free.More »
•Castlewood State Park
The trails in Castlewood State Park take hikers along the bluffs high above the Meramec River. The 2,000 acre park has eight trails of various lengths and difficulty. One of the most popular is the three mile River Scene Trail which starts high on the river bluffs and ends in the Meramec valley.
Castlewood State Park is located along Reis Road in west St. Louis County. It is open daily from 7 a.m. until 30 minutes after sunset.More »
•Pere Marquette State Park
Pere Marquette State Park has 12 miles of scenic trails for hikers of all skill levels. The 8,000 acre park is popular in the winter for bald eagle watching, but it's also a great warm weather location with towering bluffs and views of the Mississippi River.
Pere Marquette State Park is located along Highway 100 in Grafton, Illinois, about an hour northeast of St. Louis. It's open daily from sunrise to sunset.More »
•Powder Valley Nature Center
Powder Valley Nature Center is a good option for those wanting a less strenuous hike. There are three paved trails with varying levels of difficulty, including a short 3/10 of a mile loop that is disabled and stroller accessible.
Powder Valley is located at 11715 Cragwold Road in Kirkwood. That's near the intersection of I-44 and Lindbergh Boulevard. It's open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., in the spring, summer and fall, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., during the winter.More »
•Forest Park
For those who want a little exercise in the city, there's Forest Park. The park has a six-mile trail encircling its perimeter. There are also hiking trails throughout the park's Kennedy Forest which are maintained by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Forest Park is located just north of I-64 between Skinker and Kingshighway in St. Louis. It is open daily from sunrise to sunset.More »
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