Hike beneath cliffs alongside the wide Meramec River on the Al Foster (Memorial) Trail to Sherman Beach in Wildwood, MO. This is a 4.7-mile out-and-back hike with 72 feet of elevation gain on a gravel surface. Along with this hike, I did an optional short 0.2-mile run up to a bluff on a natural surface side trail for a distant river view. This hike features…
Stroll through limestone glades, follow clear rocky creeks, and explore a small cave at Danville Conservation Area. This park is located just off Interstate 70 near the exit for Hermann, Mo. The hike is 3 miles with creek crossings and 256 feet of elevation gain. Heading to the Trailhead I drove down Missouri Highway RB until it turned to gravel. Before you reach the conservation…
Hike along the clifftops and through dark hollows and explore the mysterious Zombie Trail East in Wildwood, Missouri. This rocky hike spans 7.4 miles with a 381-foot elevation gain. The trail has various surfaces, including gravel, pavement, and natural terrain. The trail does not have on-site parking, and you enter it from the Al Foster Trailhead. Why Is It Called Zombie Trail? Stories of hauntings…
Take a walk by the lake to look for waterfowl and enjoy a break with the kids at a large playground at Wapelhorst Park. This 78-acre park in St. Charles includes a lake, water park, and a paved trail that goes throughout the grounds. In the park I walked 1.3 miles with 102 feet of elevation gain along a paved trail going by many areas…
Hike down from a hilltop view to the shores of the Missouri River on a trail at Sunset Park in Florissant, MO. This is a nearly 2-mile paved out-and-back hike with an elevation gain of 171 feet, mostly shaded. At the Trailhead After entering the park, I took the road to the right and then turned right again onto a road leading to a large…
The Frenchman’s Bluff Trail features a half-mile walk along limestone cliffs at Cuivre River State Park near Troy, Missouri. I hiked this trail at 1.7 miles, although the trail guide says it is 1.5 miles, and it has 200 feet of elevation gain. Entering the Park I entered Cuivre State Park via Missouri Highway 147, making my first stop at the visitor center. Here, you…
Turkey Hollow Trail offers a brief hike through fields and woods alongside a small brook at Cuirve River State Park. I hiked 0.8 miles with an elevation gain of 95 feet. Start of the Hike This is the only trailhead on the left side of Lincoln Hills Road before reaching the stop sign at Camp Cuivre Drive. The trail begins with a descent through trees…
Hike along the bluffs of the Missouri River, through deep valleys, and explore a small cave on the Lewis and Clark Trail loop at the Weldon Spring Conservation Area. The complete loop covering the Lewis and Clark trails is 8.4 miles long and gains 883 feet in elevation. This includes a short detour to the Katy Trail and various lookouts, which I also visited. If…
A scenic hike around a large lake and Dardenne Creek, abundant with waterfowl, can be enjoyed at 370 Lakeside Park, located just north of Missouri Highway 370 in St. Peters. This 3.5-mile loop is paved and mostly level, with 33 feet of elevation gain. Beginning the Hike I parked to the left of the prominent Corporate Pavilion, which can accommodate up to 300 people. This…
Spanning 600 acres, Wilderness Resort is America’s Largest Waterpark Resort. During winter, you can enjoy three different water parks, one of which features an indoor wave pool. The resort features three lodging locations: The Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort (Main Lodge), Glacier Canyon Lodge (where we stayed), and Wilderness on the Lake (off-property, reached by shuttle bus or summer ferry). During summer, there are four…
