Hike Leads to a Plantation House and Cedar Forest at Towne Park

Prairie fields, a clear lake, a cedar forest, and historic farmhouses are part of the hike at Towne Park, located north of Wentzville on U.S. Highway 61.

*The map offers a clear overview of the trails in the park, indicating their locations.*

Towne Park Hikes

I hiked 1.9 miles with an elevation gain of 62 feet on several trails in this park, which included both paved and natural surfaces. The trails encircle the park, allowing you to use different sections to complete a loop, as I did.

Towne Trail

I parked in the second lot, near the restrooms, to start the Towne Trail, then began the hike along the paved connector trail that runs between the historic sites and the playground.

Then I turned left onto the paved Towne Trail and right onto the loop. This path takes you through prairie grasses and wildflowers.

Boyd Trail

Then I came to a sign for the Boyd Trail, a natural surface trail extending 0.2 miles off the Towne Trail and through a cedar forest.

Along the trail, I found a hedge apple. The trees were historically used for fencing during pioneer times because they were “horse-high, bull-strong, and pig-tight.” Native Americans also valued the wood for making bows.

Next, I came to the pond’s shoreline filled with lily pads.

Cedar Spur

Then, I briefly walked back along the Towne Trail and headed toward the Cedar Spur that passed through the evergreen forest.

The trail features a natural surface that undulates over small hills and crosses a rocky ditch.

Blazing Star Trail

I arrived at the Blazing Star Trail and made a left onto the 0.25-mile path.

*Looking out over the pond from an opening in the woods.*

This trail wound around a large pond in the woods and eventually connected to Betty’s Trail.

Betty’s Trail

I turned right onto Betty’s Trail, which is 0.3 miles long. It goes through the woods and past an area filled with purple and white flowers, ending at the .25-mile Lakeside Loop.

Lakeside Loop

I took the left path on the paved trail and discovered an Outdoor Classroom. If my son were with me, we would spend some time here.

There is a bicycle that funnels water into a creek. The area also features a ropes course, musical instruments, balance beams, a sandbox, and climbing structures.

Then, I walked around the lake, where I found turtles on a log in the water.

After that, I checked out a boardwalk extending into the water, offering great clarity.

Next, I walked by a nature-themed playground before returning to my vehicle near the restrooms.

HISTORIC WALK

Then I decided to take the Historic Walk, which is done from a separate area in the park. I walked a 0.2-mile gravel loop around historic structures starting from the front parking lot.

Boyd Plantation

First, I visited the Boyd Plantation brick colonial house, built in 1828. The two-story house was most recently home to the Towne family, who used it as a popular antique store called “The Pink Plantation.”

Then St. Louis County bought the building, moved the house 100 yards for future Highway 61 road construction, and restored it to its original 1800s look. The park was opened on May 11, 2012.

Behind the house is a white clapboard summer kitchen where servants prepared meals separately from the main house. This helped keep the main house cool by isolating the heat from the stoves and fireplaces, which posed a fire hazard.

Down the trail is an outhouse that pioneers used for a restroom.

A smokehouse stores meat exposed to a smoldering fire, then dried and flavored. Before refrigeration, people preserved meat and fish by salting and smoking them to prevent spoilage, deter insects, and store food for winter and lean times.

The last historic site is a log cabin once located just off Missouri Highway 94 in Weldon Spring, and has been donated to the county. A sign in front of the cabin describes its history.

Garden By Historic Sites

There is also a garden area nearby that features wildflowers, with a sign explaining bees’ importance. As you walk along the path in the garden, you’ll come across a rain garden, which captures rainwater runoff and creates a habitat for various animals and plants. Gardens like these improve water quality and prevent stream bank erosion.

Final Thoughts

I walked nearly two miles through the trails at this 109-acre park with a lot to explore. I appreciate the natural and paved paths that meander through the prairie, deciduous, and evergreen trees, alongside two ponds and a lake.

Then the historic structures add to the mix of what you can find here. However, you can hear road noise at the front of the park, especially near the historic structures.

DETAILS

Drive: Take either Interstate 64 or Interstate 70 to U.S. Highway 61 north. Then, north of Flint Hill, make a right turn onto Farris Road and another right onto Towne Park Drive.

Hours: 7 a.m. to half an hour after sunset.

Address: 100 Towne Park Dr, Foristell, MO 63348