Castle
See Castle Ruins at Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Much to Explore at Babler State Park
Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park has a cave-like spring, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) architect, and many hiking trails to explore. I walked numerous trails in the park and have included the highlights of my adventures here. Dogwood Trail This trail is a two-mile loop going through woods and going up and down hills and through ravines. Starting the Hike I parked at Guy…
Hiking In a Swamp at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge
Hiking on a boardwalk in a swamp along with Ozark mountain views is in the mix at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. History Formed from an abandoned channel of the Mississippi River about 18,000 years ago when the river shifted east possibly due to a New Madrid fault earthquake. In the early 20th century settlers tried to drain the swamp for farmland as they have done…
Hiking Fox Creek Spur Loop at Rockwoods Range
Green Rock Trailhead
Dad Hikes: Alone in the Woods at Rockwoods Range
Rockwoods Range Conservation Area is a wooded area in St. Louis West County that is not as busy as the other nearby parks so if you want a hike close to St. Louis alone then this is the trail for you. I felt this way since I was the only person on the trail the whole time although it was mid-morning on a Wednesday, so…
Dad Hikes: Henry Lay Sculpture Park
Sun and Moon sculpture
Francis Park: Land of Fairies and a Mermaid
A fairy garden, a little mermaid, and cement serpents can all be seen at Francis Park in St. Louis Hills. The walk here is along a 1.9-mile paved trail with two loops going through the middle on opposite sides of a water garden. Starting the Walk At Francis Park I parked on Eichelberger Street on the south side of the park. I began my stroll…
Lafayette Park: Oldest Urban Park West of the Mississippi
Surrounded by Victorian houses, this historic park is where vintage baseball teams play in summer and where you can stroll through a rock garden grotto.
Dad Hikes: Pomona Natural Bridge
A short loop hike through an oak and beech forest leads to the 90 foot Pomona Natural Bridge nestled in trees by a cliff. In the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps made improvements to the trail to make it more accessible to hikers by building stone steps and bridges. My time here I headed down the loop trail and went to the right. This part…
Urban Dad Hikes: Frozen In Time at Shaw Park
Walking down frozen cascades leading to a frozen pond was part of my winter adventure at Shaw Park near downtown Clayton. The park is just west of the St. Louis County Courthouse and is adjacent to the Clayton High School. Here I took a 1.7 walk on the paved trails through the 47-acre park. My Walk at Shaw Park I parked near the intersection of…
