Fall is one of my favorite times to go hiking around St. Louis. The cooler temperatures make it easier to spend time on the trail, while the changing leaves can transform familiar Missouri woods into something completely different.
Over the years, I’ve explored a lot of trails around St. Louis and across Missouri and Illinois. These five fall hikes stand out because they offer something special during autumn — colorful forests, creeks, hills, rock formations, canyons and scenic views.
If you’re looking for a fall hike near St. Louis, start with one of these five trails and then click through to my full trail stories for more photos, directions and my first-hand experience.
1. Don Robinson State Park
Best for: Sandstone canyons and fall scenery
Read my full Don Robinson State Park hike
Don Robinson State Park ranks near the top of fall hiking lists because its scenery combines colorful woods with unusual sandstone geology.
I hiked about 4.2 miles on the Sandstone Canyon Trail, including exploring the canyon, with approximately 551 feet of elevation gain. The trail travels through wooded hills and down toward a sandstone canyon with rock shelves, a creek, pools and small waterfalls.
One of my favorite moments came in the canyon, where the enormous rock shelf creates a dramatic backdrop surrounded by the autumn landscape.
The hike also includes stream crossings, rocky terrain and elevation changes, so this isn’t simply a flat fall-color walk.
Why hike it in fall: Colorful leaves combined with sandstone canyon scenery make this one of the more distinctive autumn hikes on That Away Dad.
2. Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Best for: A family-friendly fall hike close to St. Louis
Read my full Powder Valley fall hike
Powder Valley is one of my favorite places for a fall hike close to the city.
The Hickory Ridge Trail is about 1.2 miles and travels through hills, hollows, brooks and a creek. I especially enjoy this trail when the leaves are changing.
During my fall hike, I walked through trees displaying orange, red, yellow and green leaves. Recent rain had also filled the small streams, adding another element to the hike.
Powder Valley also has other trails, including the shorter Tanglevine Learning Trail.
Why hike it in fall: It’s relatively close to St. Louis and combines colorful woods, hills, streams and family-friendly exploration.
3. Engelmann Woods Natural Area
Best for: Fall colors and an old-growth forest
Read my full Engelmann Woods hike
If you want to get into the woods and experience a quieter fall hike, Engelmann Woods Natural Area is an interesting option.
The main trail is designated at 1.5 miles, although my route was closer to two miles because of the trail leading to the loop.
The area preserves old-growth forest along the Missouri River uplands. During my fall hike with my son, we walked through trees displaying different fall colors while climbing and descending wooded hills.
The trail also includes rocky terrain, bluffs and small ravines.
Why hike it in fall: The changing leaves are particularly noticeable among the area’s mature trees.
4. Elephant Rocks State Park
Best for: Giant granite formations and colorful fall scenery
Read my full Elephant Rocks State Park hike
Elephant Rocks State Park is one of those Missouri hiking destinations where the landscape itself is the attraction. The park is known for its enormous granite formations, including the famous rocks that resemble a train of elephants.
A fall visit adds another dimension to the hike, with colorful leaves surrounding the massive granite formations and creating plenty of opportunities for photographs.
The trail through the Elephant Rocks area is relatively accessible, making this a good choice if you want to combine a Missouri fall hike with some of the state’s most unusual geological scenery.
The giant granite boulders also make this hike feel very different from a typical walk through the woods. Rather than simply hiking through a colorful forest, you’re exploring a landscape shaped by enormous exposed rocks.
Why hike it in fall: The combination of autumn foliage and Elephant Rocks’ massive granite formations makes this one of the more distinctive fall hiking experiences in Missouri.
5. Taum Sauk Mountain to Devil’s Tollgate
Best for: A more challenging Missouri fall adventure
Read my full Taum Sauk Mountain hike
For a bigger fall hiking adventure, head south toward the St. Francois Mountains.
Taum Sauk Mountain rises to 1,772 feet above sea level, and the hike can continue along the Ozark Trail toward the unusual rock formation known as Devil’s Tollgate.
The trail travels through the forest and along a creek before reaching the Devil’s Tollgate section.
This is considerably more demanding than the shorter St. Louis-area options. In my experience, the two-mile out-and-back section to Devil’s Tollgate was tough.
Why hike it in fall: The combination of Missouri mountain scenery, forest and unusual rock formations makes this a very different autumn hiking experience.
Which Fall Hike Should You Try?
Instead of creating a ranking, I’d make this a “choose your experience” section:
| If you want… | Try… |
|---|---|
| Sandstone canyon | Don Robinson State Park |
| Family-friendly fall woods | Powder Valley |
| Mature forest | Engelmann Woods |
| Creeks and fall scenery | Quail Ridge Park |
| A challenging Ozark adventure | Taum Sauk Mountain |
What Makes a Good Fall Hike Near St. Louis?
For me, fall hiking isn’t just about finding the most colorful trees.
I look for trails that offer something else along the way—sandstone formations, creeks, elevation changes, mature forests or a scenic destination.
That’s why these five hikes are different from one another. You can choose a short family-friendly trail at Powder Valley or challenge yourself with a longer Ozark adventure at Taum Sauk Mountain.
When Is the Best Time to See Fall Colors Near St. Louis?
Fall color can vary from year to year depending on weather conditions.
Generally, the best time to start looking for changing leaves is mid-to late October in the St. Louis region and late October to early November in the southern Ozarks, with color progressing through the region as the season continues.
One of the best things about hiking during this time of year is that you don’t necessarily need to find the perfect peak-color weekend. The changing leaves can make the trails interesting for several weeks.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to travel far from St. Louis to find a great fall hike.
From the sandstone formations at Don Robinson State Park to the forests of Engelmann Woods and the more rugged terrain of Taum Sauk Mountain, there are plenty of ways to experience autumn on the trail.
For a shorter outing, Powder Valley and Quail Ridge Park provide accessible options. If you’re looking for a bigger adventure, Taum Sauk Mountain offers a completely different Ozark experience.
And that’s one of the things I like most about hiking around Missouri—there’s always another trail to explore when the seasons change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best fall hikes near St. Louis?
Five good options are Don Robinson State Park, Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Engelmann Woods Natural Area, Quail Ridge Park and Taum Sauk Mountain to Devil’s Tollgate.
When is the best time for fall hiking near St. Louis?
October is generally a good month to begin looking for fall colors, although the timing of peak color varies each year.
What is the most challenging hike on this list?
The Taum Sauk Mountain to Devil’s Tollgate hike is the most challenging option listed here.
What is a good short fall hike near St. Louis?
Powder Valley’s Hickory Ridge Trail, at about 1.2 miles, is the shortest hike on this list.
Are these hikes good for families?
Powder Valley and Quail Ridge Park are among the more accessible choices. The difficulty of any hike can vary depending on trail conditions, weather and the hikers in your group.
More St. Louis Hiking
For more trails, check out The Ultimate Guide to Hiking Near St. Louis, which brings together many of the hikes I’ve covered on That Away Dad.
