Places to Hike in St. Louis
It’s National Take a Hike Day, so bundle up and check out one of these trails.
1. Castlewood State Park
Location: 1401 Kiefer Creek Rd, Ballwin, MO 63021
Castlewood State park is a very popular hiking location with trails perfect for shorter hikes with amazing views.
Popular Trails: Castlewood Trail-1.5 miles-Easy, Lone Wolf Trail-1.7 miles-Moderate and River Scene Trail Loop-3.1 miles-Moderate
2. Shaw Nature Reserve
Location: 307 Pinetum Loop Rd, Gray Summit, MO 63039
The Shaw Nature Reserve has more than 14 miles of trails to explore. The Wetland Trail and the Bascom House are ADA approved for wheelchair use, along with some areas of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden. Some of the other trails are made up of loose gravel that are compatible with heavy-duty strollers.
Popular Trails: Wolf Run Lake Trail-1.3 miles-Easy, Russ Goddard River Trail-2.4 miles-Easy and Shaw Nature Reserve Trails-6.9 miles-Easy
3. Lone Elk Park
Location: 1 Lone Elk Park Rd, Valley Park, MO 63088
Lone Elk Park has historical relevance to St. Louis. The park used to be full of wild animals before the Korean War. Post war most of the animals had been killed off or removed except for one elk which the park was named after. When St. Louis County took control of the park and began to re-establish the elk and bison-population in the area.
Popular Trail: White Bison Trail Loop-3.0 miles-Moderate
4. Klondike Park
Location: 4600 S Missouri 94, Augusta, MO 63332
Klondike Park has over 3 miles of paved trails that are reachable from the parking lot that are also ADA accessible. Additionally the Katy Trail runs through it.
Popular Trails: Hogsback Trail-1.5 miles-Easy and Donkey Kong, Strip Mine, and Power Line Loop-1.7 miles-Easy
5. Meramec State Park
Location: 115 Meramec Park Drive, Sullivan, MO 63080
The trails at this park are popular for hiking, bird watching, and running. They have long trails and short trails for hikers that range from easy to moderate.
Popular Trails: Wilderness Trail Long Loop-8.4 miles-Moderate, Bluff View Trail-1.3 miles-Moderate and Hamilton Hollow-4.9 miles-Moderate
