Near St. Louis is Cliff Cave Park with panoramic Mississippi River views and a cave to check out along its trails.

Cliff Cave History

The cave was first recorded in 1749 by John Baptiste D’Gamache, one of the French founders of St. Louis, who received the cave and land in the Spanish Land Grant.

Later, during the 18th century, French fur trappers operated a tavern here for traders traveling the Mississippi River and the cave served as a beer cellar.

In the mid-1800s Cliff Cave was used by the Cliff Cave Wine Company as a wine cellar. The wine was kept cool by the ever-flowing spring. The wine company built the rock walls at the entrance of the cave.

Cliff Cave property was purchased by the St. Louis County Parks and Recreation in 1969. 

In October 2009 the cave entrance was gated to protect archeological artifacts and that bats living there. Of the fifteen bat species found in Missouri, five are known to reside inside Cliff Cave. These include the federally endangered Gray Bat and Indiana Bat.

HIKING HERE

Upper Trailhead of the Mississippi Greenway Trail

We entered the park trail system from the parking area for the Upper Trailhead of the paved Mississippi Greenway, which leads to the Overlook and the cave and then the Lower Trailhead.

Overlook

The first stop was at the Overlook where you can see out over the river to the Illinois hills in the distance and the valley along the river below. A nice breeze blew here to cool us down.

Heading to the cave

Then we went down the hillside towards Cliff Cave. You walk through a forest and then come to a black metal bridge above the road that leads down to the river.  

We came to the intersection of a 1.1-mile paved trail that leads to Telegraph Road. This might be something I do if I want a long walk one day in the area.

From here it was a short way down to the cave.

Cliff Cave

It had rained a lot when we were here so the water was pouring out of the cave creating a small waterfall to the creek below. I’ve been here when this is dry, but with all the rainwater it was gushing out.

You can view the cave from the trail that has a bridge over the creek. I walked a bit closer to take some photos of the cave.

Since this was wet it was a bit slippery, so if you do this be careful so you don’t slip down into the rocks below. I walked up to the cave entrance to look into the darkness and then headed back to David.

Past the Cave

The paved trail now follows the road. On your right along this walk, there is a small wet weather waterfall that jumbles down through the rocks.

Trail Crossing

The paved trail crosses the road that leads to the Lower Trailhead parking area. Here we did the half-mile loop trail. This trail also crosses a railroad that goes between the bluffs and the river.

Half-Mile Loop Trail 

The trail goes near the river where you can see barges and small boats plying along the river. One barge came by and my son Andrew watched as the barge captain navigated the wide river.

There were small paths that go nearer to the river. I went out to them to take in the views of the river.

At the last lookout before rounding the bend back towards the cliffside I enjoyed views of the distant Jefferson Barracks Interstate 255 Bridge and some distant St. Louis skyscrapers.

Heading back along the river loop we took in views of the cliffs above. When the trees lose their leaves you can probably gain better views of these cliffs in the fall.

Checking out the Wildlife

“What’s that sound, Andrew,” I asked my son.

I had him listen closer.

“It’s a frog,” he said

“I think you’re right, there are two of them talking back and forth to each other,” I said.

He looked for them among the weeds and water. He couldn’t find them since they went silent each time he came close to them.

Going back

Having parked at the Upper Trailhead up the hill this made the walk back quite the workout. David suggested that next time we park down here. He is probably right. If you head to the lookout first then it is all downhill from there.

Final Thoughts

When we did this area before, there was not a paved trail system. We had to go up into the hills on a steep trail to get to the caves and lookout. I think for families this new paved trail system is easier and safer to walk. This place was filled with families so it seems to meet their approval!

Other Trails at Cliff Cave Park

Whole Mississippi Greenway Trail

We only did part of the 7.1-mile Mississippi Greenway Trail which included the wooded Mississippi River loop and a part that leads to the cave and the Upper Trailhead Parking Lot.  

You can also take a one-mile trail segment to Telegraph Road off the main paved trail near the cave, which would be two miles total there and back. 

The five-mile paved section of the trail goes into a wide valley to the right of the Lower Trailhead Parking area.

Spring Valley Trail

The three-mile Spring Valley Trail traverses the upland karst area of the park. The trailhead is located at the Upper Trailhead parking lot on the right side of the park entrance road.

It parallels the entrance road before sharply going into the woods. Once you cross a creek the entrance to Cliff Cave can be seen by looking up the creek valley.

Then the trail climbs up the side of the valley before reaching the karst plateau.

This trail is relatively flat and easy through the plateau but can become muddy after a precipitous event or snowmelt.

It is well-signed and forms a loop through the woodlands. Trees here are mature, consisting primarily of oaks and hickories.

River Bluff Trail

To access the one-mile River Bluff Trail use the Spring Valley Trailhead and head up the Spring Valley Trail.

At the top of the hill after a long climb, River Bluff Trail will branch off on the right.

The trail will cross Cliff Cave Road and make a one-mile loop. The natural tread way has some loose rock.

This trail provides an excellent view of the Mississippi River and the surrounding valley from atop the bluff.

DETAILS:

Drive: Take Interstate 255 south to Exit 2 and go south on Telegraph Road. Then make a left onto Cliff Cave Road and after entering the park make a left to the Cliff Cave County Park Upper Lot.

Hours: 8 am to 30 minutes past sunset

Address: Cliff Cave County Park Upper Lot, Oakville, MO 63129

MORE DAD HIKES ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Bee Tree Park: A Mississippi Bluff Fit For a Telephone Executive

A former telephone executive mansion, Mississippi River views, and a forested lake were part of my explorations of Bee Tree County Park in south St. Louis County.

Sunflowers and Ferry Rides

Our adventure included fields of golden sunflowers and a Mississippi River ferry ride.

Illinois Mississippi River Bluffs

My journey here was to explore two trails along the bluffs on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River just south of St. Louis

Horseshoe Lake State Park

Walking among the green stalks of a cornfield and admiring the lakeside flowers were part of our adventure on Walker’s Island at Horseshoe Lake State Park.

This is an “oxbow” lake that was created more than 3,000 years ago when a section of the Mississippi River was cut off from the main river channel and formed this crescent-shaped lake.

Olin Nature Preserve

A bubbly waterfall and a monument to the Underground Railroad were found on the trails at the Olin Nature Preserve.

Dad Hikes — The area around St. Louis is filled with wondrous sites for families to explore, which I share at 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, post any questions you might have on the hikes!