Views of the Meramec River and watching small planes take off are part of the hike at Buder Park in St. Louis County.
The park is near the busy intersection of Interstate 44 and Missouri Highway 141.
Hiking Here
I walked along a paved-paths, gravel paths, and roads to do a 2.7-mile hike with 95 feet of elevation gain.
Start of Hike
I parked in the lot near the entrance of the park. A paved trail starts to the left of the lot passing by a baseball field.
This trail crosses back over the entrance road following a road that goes by areas used for model airplanes.
Watch Out For Small Planes
A sign warns of the dangers of walking out into fields where radio-controlled airplanes are flying about.
Then I looked to my left and saw a small white plane zipping around the sky. In the distance, I saw a man keeping an eye on his model plane.
After it flew around it came in for a landing on a blacktop landing field made specifically for it.
Along a fence line, I saw a large red plane with painted-on shark teeth next to a fence, ready to be the next in line to take to the skies.
Far Side
After passing by the airfield I took the trail to the left around a soccer field.
Then the paved trail led into woods.
This trail eventually came to the Meramec River.
Sadly, a section of the trail that went along the right to the right was closed due to past flooding.
I decided to continue to the right along this former road which had once been Larkin Williams Road until flooding in the early 1990s.
This road went uphill passing under a railroad bridge and then ending at a circle drive.
Walking back, I noticed two rocky ravines going down from the nearby hillsides. This was the more wild part of the walk.
Going Toward the River
This time I decided to take a dirt and gravel path at the front of the soccer fields that led to a road that goes to the west of them.
I made a right turn onto this road to do a river walk. Looking back I saw the jungle growth that covered the closed trail.
Road Walk
Now I was going along the side of a road taking in views of the Meramec River (Main blog photo). I saw at one point a boat ramp on the other side of the river, I had walked near when hiking along the Meramec Greenway in Valley Park, Mo.
Then I took this road walk back to the parking area but first I stopped along the river.
I gained a view of the metal railroad bridge.
I stayed near the river on the former road since to my left was an archery range.
After checking out the bridge I walked this road back.
Final Thoughts
My favorite parts of the hike were watching the model planes and hiking the back section away from the fields and roads in the park. This is an easy hike with river and field views just off Interstate 44.
DETAILS:
Drive to Trailhead at Upper Buder: Take Interstate 44 at exit 272 for Missouri Highway 141 but don’t get onto this road. Make a right onto Meramec Street along this exit ramp and this street leads into the park the lot is on the left after passing by Valley Park Road which leads to the radio-controlled flying field.
Hours: 8 a.m. – 30 minutes past sunset
Address: 215 Valley Park Road, Fenton, Mo., 63026
Park History
Deeded to the City of St. Louis by Gustavus A. Buder in 1918, but was not developed at that time. In 1950 the deed was changed by G.A. Buder, Jr. to St. Louis County.
Separated from the southern part of the park by Interstate 44. The south section has a playground, shelters, and tennis courts.
MORE NEARBY HIKES
Emmenegger Nature Park: Hiking Along Bluffs and Creeks
The walk at Emmenegger Nature Park includes a path along creeks, climbing up bluffs, and seeing a former beer baron’s retreat.
Powder Valley Nature Center
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center has paved trails for families to explore the woods crossing wooden bridges over small rocky brooks and streams.
Dad Hikes: Lone Elk Park
Lone Elk Park in West County St. Louis is the only place where you are guaranteed to see elk or bison in a gated park. Here you can hike the four-mile earthen and rock White Bison Trail in the elk section or you can see the wildlife by driving through the park on a mostly one-lane road
