Find the perfect spot for your next hike, bike, picnic, or fishing trip.Find the perfect spot for your next hike, bike, picnic, or fishing trip.
ALL A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
2679 Dietrich Rd, Foristell, Missouri 63348
St. Charles' largest park has more to offer than just its tremendous size. With bountiful fishing, year round camping, ten miles of trails, and jaw dropping views, Indian Camp Creek Park has quickly risen to the most impressive park in the area.
< 3 miles long, 3–6 miles long, Camping, Disc Golf, Easy, Hiking, Horseback riding, Over 6 miles long, Scenic overlook, Walking, Water feature
12500 Spanish Pond Road, St Louis, Missouri 63138
Since it's establishment in 1971, Spanish Lake Park has been a hub for fisherman, walkers, and families with kids.
< 3 miles long, Athletics, Easy, Fishing, Kid Friendly, recreation, Walking
3900 Holly Hills Blvd., St Louis, Missouri 63116
biking, Fishing, Hiking, History, Lake, Walking
Carondelet Park
6990 S Missouri 94, St. Charles, Missouri 63304
Just west of the Nuclear Waste Adventure Trail (yes, you read that correctly) at Weldon Spring, you’ll find the trailhead for the Lewis and Clark trails, which wind through the tree-lined hills to the limestone bluffs overlooking the Missouri River.
Birds, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Moderate, Mountain Biking, Over 6 miles long, Wildlife
Photo by Dan Zarlenga
City of Hillsboro, Missouri
A 225-acre gem in Jefferson County, Valley View Glades offers just one trail, but it’s worth the trip, taking visitors through wooded hollows and wildflower-filled fields.
< 3 miles long, Easy
Photo by Noppadol Paothong, MDC
2751 Glencoe Road, St Louis, Missouri 63038
Erected more than 150 years ago, the Lime Kiln Loop Trail’s 40-foot-tall namesake towers above the trailhead at Rockwoods, where you can learn about its past life as a mining community and the land’s dramatic restoration.
3–6 miles long, Birds, Camping, Hiking, Moderate, Mountain Biking
Photo by Dan Zarlenga, MDC
Bismarck, Missouri 63624
Just 33 feet short of being the state’s highest natural point, Buford Mountain somehow flies under the radar. Those who seek it out, however, are rewarded with a spectacular view of southeast Missouri’s rugged landscape.
Advanced, Birds, Camping, Over 6 miles long, Scenic overlook, Wildlife
801 Strotdtman Road, St Louis, Missouri 63138
Forested edges break through to river views at regular intervals, and the trail loops back to the viewing platform, a perfect vantage for the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.
Birds, Easy, Fishing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Over 6 miles long, Wildlife
6438 Bluff Road, Illinois 62295
The land is a refuge to what's in danger, from wooly buckthorns and cerulean warblers to the common striped scorpion to the increasingly scarce coachwhip snake.
< 3 miles long, Birds, Flowers, Hiking, Moderate, Scenic overlook, Wildlife
Photo by Tom Rollins
Valmeyer, Illinois 62295
Heights make you woozy? This 594-acre reserve in Monroe County has several gentle flat trails. But if you want a view, Salt Lick is worth the climb.
< 3 miles long, 3–6 miles long, Birds, Flowers, Hiking, Moderate, Scenic overlook
Photo by Joann Fricke
5595 Grand Drive, St Louis, Missouri 63112
Sure, toasted rav and that giant arch are synonymous with the words “St. Louis.” But for many born and raised here, Forest Park is the truer answer.
< 3 miles long, 3–6 miles long, Birds, Easy, Fishing, Flowers, History, Park, Racquetball, Running, Scenic overlook, Tennis, Water feature, Wildlife
Courtesy of Boathouse Paddle Co.
2213 South Levis Lane, Godfrey, Illinois 62035
Situated above the limestone bluffs hugging the Great River Road in Illinois, the 294-acre preserve is a pristine retreat with 300-plus native plant species and more than 150 birds, including migratory bald eagles.
< 3 miles long, Birds, Easy, Water feature
Courtesy of The Nature Institute
2701 Finestown Road, St Louis, Missouri 63129
The founder of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, Eugene Nims, commissioned St. Louis’ acclaimed architects, Maritz & Young, to build a mansion on 192 acres he’d dubbed Bee Tree Farm.
< 3 miles long, Easy, Fishing, Flowers, Hiking, History, Water feature
Courtesy of St. Louis County Parks
401 Fairgrounds Road, City of Rolla, Missouri 65401
Bring plenty of water and wear boots. You’ll be in the rugged 1.5 million–acre Mark Twain National Forest, climbing to 1,702 feet at Bell Mountain—where the view will silence any complaints.
Camping, Canoeing, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback riding, Kayaking, Moderate, Mountain Biking, Over 6 miles long
Via Flickr/IIP Photo Archive
Eichelberger St & Donovan Ave, St Louis, Missouri 63109
The centerpiece of St. Louis Hills, Francis Park is land once owned by David Francis, who helped bring the World’s Fair to St. Louis in 1904 (and briefly considered his own land as the fairgrounds).
< 3 miles long, Easy, Handball, History, Racquetball, Tennis
Photo by Jeff Wunrow for St. Louis Parks
7406 MO-21, Belleview, Missouri 63623
A curious sight, Elephant Rocks is among the state’s most famous natural landmarks for a reason.
< 3 miles long, Easy, Fishing, Hiking, History
Photography by Melissa via Creative Commons
34489 Echo Bluff Drive, St Louis, Missouri 65466
The park’s set in a valley surrounded by dolomite bluffs.
< 3 miles long, 3–6 miles long, Advanced, Birds, Camping, Canoeing, Hiking, Kayaking, Moderate, Water feature
Photography courtesy of Missouri Division of Tourism
115 Meramec Park Drive, Sullivan, Missouri 63080
There are shorter trails in Meramec State Park (six, to be exact, with Walking Fern and Deer Hollow leading to Fisher Cave, where tours are available).
< 3 miles long, Advanced, Camping, Hiking, Moderate, Mountain Biking, Over 6 miles long, Water feature, Wildlife
Courtesy of Missouri State Parks
13112 Visitor Center Lane, City of Grafton, Illinois 62037
The Goat Cliff Trail passes ancient rock formations and boasts three scenic overlooks, including McAdams Peak—the park’s most breathtaking spot—as its grand finale.
< 3 miles long, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, History, Horseback riding, Moderate, Mountain Biking, Scenic overlook
Via Flickr/Stannate
902 State Park Drive, Robertsville, Missouri 63072
Robertsville State Park is home to the pawpaw tree, which blooms purple flowers in April and yields fruit around the first week of September.
< 3 miles long, Camping, Fishing, Flowers, Hiking, History, Moderate
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