Cliffside walks along the Meramec River and wading in Kiefer Creek were part of our day at Castlewood State Park.

This park has an interesting past and is known for its trail along Meramec River and especially the cliffs at the top.

History of Castlewood State Park

Time of Wild Parties

The area of the park was once home to bustling dance halls, speakeasies, and resorts in the early 1900s. Down along the river people would canoe and swim in the Meramec River.

How Did They Get Here?

If you hear an occasional train whistle while you’re hiking trains roll through here near the Meramec River. Back in these wild times, there was a train stop for passengers to disembark to these resorts.

Where they Swam on the River

An area called Lincoln Beach was created by sand dredged from the river leftover from when the train was brought through the river valley. The river eventually reclaimed this space through floods and erosion.

Swan Song

This area gradually declined after World War II with people gaining air conditioning and interstates allowing for farther travel to resorts further down the Meramec River. The state of Missouri acquired the land in 1974 that became Castlewood State Park.

Where You See Remains

Remnants of this time can be seen in the grand staircase going down to the river near the wooden steps on the River Scene Trail. This staircase was once used for people heading down to the water from the resorts up in the cliffs.

Also, when we headed up on the Lone Wolf Trail, near where the trail finally meets the cliffside, my son Andrew caught sight of the concrete remains of another structure which he checked out as he went in and out of the structure.

Back to Our Time on Trails

Starting at Lone Wolf Trail

We parked in the parking lot for Lone Wolf Trail and headed straight up from there. I was using part of this trail to go up to the cliffs. You can also go further down along the road to the River Scene Trail and go up that way but the Lone Wolf Trail was closer to a parking lot and more direct.

Going Up

Along Lone Wolf Trail going up, Andrew found some wooden railroad ties that are used to combat runoff. He walked on them as if they were balance beams putting his arms out keeping himself steady and having a fun time doing it.

Seeing Deer

I mentioned earlier that we came across the cement remains of a building. But also near here we saw a doe, buck and two fawns nearby. They slowly headed down the hillside eating leaves along the way. 

After they had gone down a ways they stopped once more. The doe finding a leaf to munch on up above its head. Then they heard people coming up and rushed off into the woods. 

Andrew remarked, “Cool deer.”

River Scene Trail Cliffside

The Lone Wolf follows back behind the bluffs where the River Scene Trail goes along the bluffs. 

We would be on the River Scene Trail for now on as the Lone Wolf goes away from the bluffs to a creek below. 

Then we walked along the River Scene taking in the views along the cliffs. Andrew stopped for a moment and pointed out a slug on a log.

“Look how dark he is Andrew, see how he blends into the color of the log,” I said to him.

Andrew touched him and the slug stopped.

“See he is trying to blend, hoping that whatever touched him goes away,” I said.

Next, he wanted a water break so we sat on a rock by the trail for a bit.

Trail Clings to the Bluffs

The River Scene Trail goes in and out of the woods with plenty of places to stop along the way. Each stop allows for a slightly different view up and down the hillsides and distant valleys.

Andrew heard a whistle and I could hear it in the distance. A train was coming around the bend.

“Can we stop and watch it pass below,” he asked.

“Sure, why not, look for it as it comes out of the trees.”

The train disappeared for a while before it reappeared right below us.

“There’s the engine,” he said.

We sat and watched as it rolled on by us.

The Stairs

To go down to the riverside of the River Scene trail you have a lot of wooden stairs to head down. Along these stairs, I kept looking for the cement stairs being reclaimed by nature. The wooden stairs has stops on the way down to take in the views.

Underpass Echo

When you are the bottom there is a 1930 underpass that allows you to walk through to the valley portion of the River Scene Trail.

I shouted as we walked through the tunnel and my voice echoed. Andrew laughed then did the same.

River Scene Trail riverside

The trail along here is flat but can be muddy in parts. Don’t try this trail of course if it is flooded, which can happen sometimes with the trail so close to the Meramec River.

Along here there are some strange looking tall trees. There was one that had a large hole at the top and another that Andrew could crawl into and sit. 

“There is a red D sign on that tree, like the third letter of my name,” Andrew said.

This is not the only tree we saw with a red sign. The signs are used as an emergency locator. Andrew found another one with the letter E. We needed a few more letters for his full name, though.

Going Back the Parking Lot

The River Scene Trail goes along the river further but we took a connector trail near the railroad tracks to the main road to this area. He was ready to end the hike.

Time to Eat

Andrew was hungry and ready for lunch. We had some ham and cheese rollups, chips, sodas, and watermelon that David had cut up for us.

Keifer Creek Walk

After dinner, we walked a short way along the Lone Wolf Trail Keifer Creek section. Then I heard some kids playing in the creek.

“Did you want to wade through the creek some?” I asked him

He said yes. So we did some water time. He enjoyed this as we explored along the creek.

Heading Back

We went a long way down the creek bed towards the Meramec River. This creek is a rocky and pebble mix.

 I noticed on the map we still had a way to where it meets the river. The Meramec River was way up so I wasn’t excited to go all the way to the end.

“Let’s head back, you can have a little more to eat then,” I said.

He began to look for stuff in the river as we walked back.

“Dad, look at this red brick,” I said.

“Cool,” I said.

“Can I take it home?” he asked.

I decided that this was OK. It would be a memento of our time here.

He spotted more red bricks and we gathered them as we headed back to the SUV.

Leaving for Home

Since we already ate I decided to get him a special snack. We went to a nearby Sonic and he had the kid’s meal and we both had cherry limeades. Hiking made us thirsty and this hit the spot. 

PARK TRAILS OVERVIEW

River Scene Trail — 3.25-mile loop trail that goes along the cliffs and the Meramec River. This route can be shortened using connector trails as I did. Red Trail Marker

Lone Wolf Trail – 1.5-mile loop trail that parallels the River Scene Trail along the top of the bluffs before dropping down into the valley and following Kiefer Creek. Yellow Trail Marker

Grotpeter Trail — 4.2-mile trail is a long loop trail that goes throughout the park. Blue Trail Marker

Stinging Nettle Trail – 4.7-mile trail that goes along the river. Yellow Trail Marker

Cedar Bluff Trail – a 2.5 trail that goes into a forest area to the west of the main parking area. Brown Trail Marker

Castlewood Loop – 5.6-mile trail that is across the river from the other trails and goes along the Meramec River valley. Brown Trail Marker

NOTE: Stop by the Park Office when you enter the park for maps of the trail system.

DETAILS

Drive: From St. Louis take the Dougherty Ferry Road exit Off Interstate 270 going west and then turn right on Big Bend Road then left onto Reis Road and then another left onto Keifer Creek Road which enters the park.

From South County St. Louis take Interstate 270 and exit onto Interstate 44 west then go north on Highway 141 and make a left onto Big Bend Road then left onto Reis Road and then another left onto Keifer Creek Road which enters the park.

Hours: 7 am to one-half hour after sunset daily.

Admission: Free

Address: 1401 Kiefer Creek Rd, Ballwin, MO 63021

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Dad Hikes is a new feature on my blog. 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!