Meramec State Park is where you can hike from one cave to another, staring into the darkness in each one, a favorite hike for my son.
Over 40 caves wind through the limestone and dolomite layers underneath the park and you can see a few of them hiking the park’s trails.
Meramec State Park History
The state bought the 6,986 acres of land for the park in 1926.
In 1933 the craftsmen of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) began constructing trails, picnic shelters, and other facilities at the park.
Visitor’s Center Stop
The Visitor’s Center is where you can learn about the area and use the restroom. Here I obtained a map of the park and looked at the large relief map showing hills and valleys in the park.
Natural Wonders Trail
Next, We headed to the left of the visitor’s center where the 1.3-mile Natural Wonders Trail begins.
At first, we followed Elm Spring Creek, and then the trail divides to form a loop. To the left, we can go uphill or we can go downhill along the creek.
Going Up
We headed uphill at first. Here we walked across a rocky surface. Then we came to a moss-covered cliff face and a small mist hung in the air. A cave with a locked door and metal fence was now in view. A cold spring trickled out of it.
I took a moment to turn on my light on my phone to look inside. Cave walls narrowed and the brook went into the depths of darkness.
Camp Cave
Bluffs were on the left of me as we headed down to the back part of the trail. Here we crouched down to look into Camp Cave. We encountered the other opening to this cave further down the trail.
There were no bars on this one so I walked into it a small way. Seeing stalactites and stalagmites. It narrowed quickly so I didn’t go too far.
Camp Cave Outlet
We were now heading back up. Here the trail goes by heavily eroded cliffs.
We took a short trail and entered where the water flows out of Camp Cave. You can see this cave from a side trail either before or after the brook that flows through the cave.
Along a Creek
Elm Spring Creek flows along this part of the trail among lots of rocks and pebbles and even widens up at one point.
Someone had built a small rock dam across it creating rapids. We walked out to the creek on occasion seeing what it was flowing through next.
We came back to the trailhead and took a moment to grab a snack and water before checking out other places in the park.
Walking Fern Trail
Starting near Fisher Cave, the half-mile loop Walking Fern Trail offers a lot to see in a short distance.
Fisher Cave
Before you start the trail make sure to look into Fisher Cave. It is closed this year. I hope next time we are here we can check out what the sign says is preserved bear claw marks, cave wildlife, and calcite deposits ranging from intricate helictites to massive columns 30 feet tall.
To Indian Cave
Since we started the last trail heading up this time we took the lower side of the loop.
Here we came across tall bluffs on one side and wet glade marshes on the other.
After walking a short way we came to the staircase up to a bluff to Indian Cave.
Only about 30 yards deep into the bluff, it was named Indian Cave because prehistoric artifacts were found in it.
We explored inside for a moment. I took photos of the passage leading to a large open space in the back using my phone as a light.
After the Cave
We went further along the river before the trail turned into cliffs and bluffs. We now ascended into a hollow. On my right is a rock shelf that I checked out before heading to the upper cliffside walk. Here we found green lichen rocks and cliff faces.
Descending
The descent takes some work and you end up again by Fischer Cave. We walked back by it once more. A mist percolated from the darkness blocked by the gated entrance.
According to an information board, it goes pretty far back. I will have to make a reservation to visit it with the kid in the future.
MORE ADVENTURES
We found two more cool places to check out that were not on the main trails.
Sayman Hotel Ruins
Along the main road to the Hickory Ridge Conference Center and just before the turn to go to the parking for Park Store is a pull-off area to the right.
Mark Sayman, who once toured with circus owner P.T. Barnum, started a factory in St. Louis and became rich. He used his newfound money to purchase a hotel that had been started by a partner of his, Bennett.
The hotel was never fully completed since Sayman died before he could make his dream become a reality, although it did become a residence for others.
In 1971 the Pullium family sold it to the Corps of Engineers, which dismantled it mostly except for the tall brick chimneys, some stairs, and the foundation.
Our Time Here
Here we found a short trail to the Sayman Hotel Ruins near the information sign. You have to be careful around the ruins so I kept a close eye on my son.
Andrew and I walked around the structure since there is a footpath that circumnavigates it.
Finding a Huge Cave
Near the first set of cabins on the first road to your right after crossing under Highway 185 on the main road heading toward the campground and dining lodge area, I found a cave. This is separate from the main caves in the park.
I parked in the lot for the Wilderness Trail and walked away from the trailhead and up to a hillside by Cabin 4. By this cabin, you will find a faint trail and that leads a bit of way up to the cave.
It has a large opening and goes back ways. We weren’t really set up to explore it, but it was worth just going through the mouth of the cave and peering in!
Other Trails At Meramec State Park
Bluff View Trail
I somehow missed the entrance to the Bluff View. I decided to leave that trail for next time.
It is a 1 and half-mile loop trail starting at the picnic area behind shelter #3. Hiking up the hill you will reach a CCC-built overlook shelter with views of the Meramec River.
Then this trail slowly climbs uphill leading to the dining lodge. It goes through the cabins and parking lot area then leads to another shelter by the river then heads to more bluffs then back to the first overlook shelter.
Deer Hollow Trail
It is a 1.8-mile trail and goes between the dining lodge and Fisher Cave. Here you might come across deer and you will go along the river some of the ways before heading up to the dining lodge.
River Trail
This .8 mile loop trail starts by the trail shelter along the Bluff View Trail. It goes along the river and then loops back to the shelter. There is a spur that leads to a campground and serves as an additional trailhead.
Wilderness Trail
An 8.5 trail and goes around a remote section of the park and includes caves, springs, bluffs, glades, ledges, and rock outcroppings. A shortcut in the middle can divide the trail into a six-mile south loop and a four-mile north loop. Here you will find Copper Hollow Spring that flows out of Copper Hollow Cave. Backpacking campsites are also available along the trail.
NOTE: Trail is temporarily closed during the week and open on weekends due to work on the trail.
DETAILS
Drive: Drive down Interstate 44 out of St. Louis and stay on this road until you get to Exit 226 for Mo-185 S toward Sullivan. Take Mo-185 south to Meramec State Park.
Hours: 7 am – 10 pm daily April- Oct.; 7 am – 9 pm daily Nov. – March.
Admission: Fee for Fisher Cave when it reopens.
Address: 115 Meramec Park Drive, Sullivan, MO 63080
NEARBY CONSERVATION AREA
Dad Hikes: Meramec Conservation Area
Meramec River views and caves are some of the sites at Meramec Conservation Area.
MORE CAVE HIKES
Dad Hikes: Prehistoric Graham Cave State Park
Graham Cave State Park is right off Interstate 70 and is a hike into ancient history. Hiking through the park you walk in the footsteps of hunters-gathers thousands of years ago who found shelter in Graham Cave.
Dad Hikes: Cliff Cave Park
Near St. Louis is Cliff Cave Park with panoramic Mississippi River views and a cave to check out along its trails.
Dad Hikes: Silver Mines
A mineshaft and a cascading river rushing through the remains of a stone cut dam are what await you at Silver Mines Recreation Area.
This is not a cave, but a cool mine shaft that you can check out!
Dad Hikes — Many times I will do these hikes alone to learn the lay of the land before we do it as a family. Feel free to share suggestions for hikes to do. Also, share any questions you might have on the hikes!
