Walking along a cliffside boardwalk high above Osage River highlights our time at Painted Rock Conservation Area. The 1.6-mile Osage Bluff Scenic Trail also has an ancient Native American burial cairn and a small cave to discover. History Painted Rock State Conservation Area’s namesake is rock paintings done between 1200 and 1300 A.D. and seen by explorer Zebulon Pike in 1806, although not accessible by…
Blaze a trail below cliffs with water views along with plenty of hikes and activities to choose from at Lake of the Ozarks State Park. Our Time Here at Lake of the Ozarks State Park We chose the 1.5-mile Lakeview Bend Trail loop, which included a variety of Ozark terrain. Starting the Hike This trail begins near parking by the camp store and the entrance…
Castle
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 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…
Green Rock Trailhead
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…
Sun and Moon sculpture
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…
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.
