Whitecliff Park in Crestwood, Mo., includes an abandoned rock quarry with a cliffside pond and 40 acres of woods to explore.
Whitecliff Park Trail
Whitecliff Park Trail is about a mile hike along a gravel surface through woods and along Gravois Creek. I parked to the right of the park entrance in a small lot near a picnic shelter. There is additional parking up the road in the park.
I crossed a wide paved bridge over Gravois Creek and then took a moment to check out the creek below along its rocky and sandy shoreline.
The trail then follows the creek on the right. A small path led to what I think were ruins of a bridge. Looking into the water I saw a male wood duck before it flapped away.
By the Old Quarry
A fence blocks you from parts of the shoreline of a quarry lake. Construction is taking place to allow for more public access with a boardwalk.
I walked through cement columns near the lake.
You can gain some close-up views of the quarry by going to the left of the rocky beach area.
Going Up
Heading up above the quarry I began to notice side trails. I walked into one and noticed it came out again to the main trail.
Hiking on Side Trails
On my phone, I have AllTrails App and noticed that it showed many trails going into the woods. I decided to explore.
The App helped me find my way I am not sure if I would have wandered through it without it. Small trails here go in all directions. At one point I crossed a small bridge over a little brook.
It was fun to explore this area before heading back to the main trail.
Luckily you can’t get to lost since it is not a large woods, but I would keep an awareness of where I was at so you don’t get turned around.
One path led out to the upper area of the park and I walked by the large playground and tennis courts before heading back around to the woods.
Using the App I headed back down the main gravel trail where it is above the quarry.
One small trail leads out to a view over the quarry lake. Another small trail leads to a trailhead below the community center here.
Then another small trail wandered through the hillside away from the quarry, but I didn’t have time to explore it.
I decided to head down the hill and back to the trailhead.
Final Thoughts
The about-mile-wide gravel trail includes the quarry lake, woods, and some going up and down along the hills and is moderate. If I come back here with my son I would explore more of the woods with him since he likes to hike in a forest. It is a small area so we can’t get too lost.
More Information on the Park
Tennis courts, basketball courts, picnic shelters, sand volleyball, sports fields, restrooms, and community center for other activities. Grants Trail, a walking and biking trail is nearby, but parking for this trail is not allowed in the park.
DETAILS
Drive: Take exit 280 off of Interstate 44 and go south on Elm Avenue which becomes Rock Hill Road. Then make a right onto Pardee Road and then another right onto Whitecliff Lane to the park.
Hours: Closed from 5:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Address: 9245 Whitecliff Ln, St. Louis, MO 63126
Lunch Spot
Sedara Sweets & Ice Cream
I had beef shawarma with French fries for lunch along with chocolate baklava for dessert. It was a tasty meal and the baklava was some of the best I’ve ever had. Of course, ice cream is also available.
Hours: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily
Address: 8011 MacKenzie Rd, Affton, MO 63123
Nearby Hikes
Exploring a Former Quarry at Dee Koestering Park
Hiking around the huge stones at the former Meramec Highland Quarry is the adventure at Dee Koestering Park in Kirkwood, Mo.
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.
