Hiking around the huge stones at the former Meramec Highland Quarry is the adventure at Dee Koestering Park in Kirkwood, Mo.
My son Andrew enjoyed walking up and around the huge rock cuts and then exploring the brook that flowed through the area at this park.
Quarry Rock
Several hundred stones remain scattered about along with others that are stacked on top of each other at the former quarry.
Some stone slabs show drill holes (1 ½ inch to 2 inches in diameter) and one massive shelf shows cuts from a stone saw. The stacked stone has created habitats for many varieties of reptiles and mammals here.
Paved Trail To a Bluff
The main trail here is a blacktop and goes up and down a hill near the railroad tracks on the right.
After walking a short way we came to a second parking lot for those with mobility issues.
From here the trail leads to a lookout over the former quarry.
On the lookout, there are information boards about the area’s history, geology along with animal and plant life that you will find here.
A small path nearby leads to a former structure I assumed was once part of the quarry operations.
Dee Koestering Park Footpath
Near the small second parking lot is the entrance to the footpath for the nature trail. We walked down the hillside and into the quarry area.
Here we found large stones that were left from the quarry operation.
My son got up on top of some of the large cut stones that are piled about.
Word of Warning
I would not take a very young child here if you want to wander around the rock area. These rocks are piled down the hillside at different heights so you have to be careful here.
I watched Andrew closely and was with him the whole time while we walked around here.
Brookside at Dee Koestering Park
The trail goes to the left out of the rock piles along a brook. This was a scenic area with the creek flowing through rocks.
A large downed tree went over the creek. Andrew wanted to walk over it but I didn’t let him since it was a way up across a wide section of the hard rocky creek.
As you head up this creek forms into a small waterfall as it flows narrowly across a rock face.
Hillside Walk Back
After crossing the creek at the rock face the trail winds its way up the hillside. Here was a wooden bridge that I had spotted from the paved trail earlier. This part of the trail loops back to where we had entered it at the top. Now, all we had to do was take the paved trail back to the entrance.
Final Thoughts
I was pleasantly surprised by how interesting the area was. It is near Interstate 270 so there is highway noise nearby, but I was too busy checking out all the different cut stones to notice.
My son enjoyed climbing around the rocks and walking up and down the area. I kept a close eye on him to make sure he stayed safe.
I walked a little over two miles and covered a lot of elevation going down to the bottom of the quarry and entering and leaving the park, so even though it is a small area you can have quite the workout.
DETAILS:
Drive: Exit off onto Big Bend from either Interstate 270 going south or Interstate 44 going south. Turn onto Marshall road going south and look for the entrance to the park on your right just after the railroad tracks.
Hours: 6 am – 8 pm daily
Admission: Free
Address: 1703 Marshall Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122
Nearby Dad Hikes
Dad Hikes: 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. It also has an educational component that helps children learn about the environment with interpretive signs that can be found as you walk in the area.
Dad Hikes: Spending the Day At Castlewood State Park
Cliffside walks along the Meramec River and wading in Kiefer Creek were part of our day at Castlewood State Park.
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.
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!
