Gushing waterfalls, blooming dogwood trees, and prairie wildflowers make for magical spring hikes on trails near St. Louis.

These are my top five spring hikes that I hope you enjoy.

VICTORIA GLADES HIKE

In spring Victoria Glades Conservation Area’s flowering plants and trees give it a technicolor feel with reds, purples, and white flowers everywhere.

It is a place to explore open grassy glades and small forests along hills.

Victoria Glades Conservation Area Trail

The Victoria Glades Trail is a 2.3-mile loop that goes through woods and open fields.

A sign in the parking lot pointed out that the conservation area is across the road and nature conservancy land is by parking.

By the Parking Lot

A small trail went to the right from the parking lot in the nature conservancy. I walked down the narrow path along the dry stream bed. It petered out into the creek. It was a small woods area that I explored before starting the real hike.

Starting the Hike

Next, I headed across the road to the trailhead that begins on an open hill.

If you go left at the start of the loop you go into the glade. If you go right, you head into the woods. I decided I wanted to start my time here among the trees.

As I headed through the field, I came across many bright orange flowers close to the ground. I had never seen these before on a hike. I wondered if they were only common to a glade.

In the Forest

I walk across a rocky area and watch my footing as I head into the trees.

White flowering trees are in abundance and can be admired since other trees are still gaining their leaves.

I stop for a moment taking a closeup of one of the white flowers. ( Blog photo)

A few trees here are home to Eastern Tent Caterpillars who recently hatched in March. They construct silk shelters in the forks of trees. If my son was with me, he would have enjoyed checking them out.

As I turned around a bend, I came across far-off views of a distant forest and nearby glades.

Then I head back into the woods crossing a small lichen-filled brook.

I cross a larger stream bed with some water flowing through it.

Then reach a dry one with large rocks and mangled trees.

Glade Top

I make a final turn to an open area along the glade. Walking along a hillside and with the grasses makes me feel high up. Views include distant hills.

Below me are many flowering plants adding color to my walk.

A gnarled tree stands alone in a field and it is hard to tell if it is dead or alive.

I love being able to look out and see trees on ridgetops and below open lands.

This area makes me think of the Old West, somewhere out on the high plains, like Wyoming or the Dakotas.

Back at the Start

At the trailhead, the marker shows the trail going at a right angle. This is good since another homemade trail goes to the left of this sign.

Final Thoughts

This little over two-mile hike was an easy one with only a few up and down places. Watch for a few muddy spots, but nothing too bad. I liked hiking here since it was a different terrain after recently completing a lot of forest walks. If you want a different area to explore then this is a good hike for you.

More About Glades

Glades are commonly found on the south and southwest-facing slopes with forested ridges and are characterized by thin soil and bedrock at or near the surface. Water saturates the ground in winter and spring, but soils become droughty in summer and fall. Grasses and broad-leaved, flowering plants are plentiful.

DETAILS:

Drive: Take Interstate 55 south out of St. Louis to exit 175. Make a right onto Highway A then a left onto Highway P after crossing Joachim Creek. Then make a right onto Hillsboro Victoria Road and look for parking for the conservation on your right.

Hours: Open from 4 am – 10 pm

Address: 11500 Hillsboro Victoria Rd, De Soto, MO 63020

VALLEY VIEW GLADES NATURAL AREA HIKE

Waterfalls and wildflowers fill the hills found at Valley View Glades Natural Area near Hillsboro, Mo.

The 2.8-mile natural surface Valley View Glades Trail loops around this 225-acre area with 423 feet of elevation gain. A hilly terrain to go down into the creek valleys.

Beginning the Hike

I parked at the small lot off Highway B on the right. A sign and information board with trail maps stand near the trailhead.

I came down to the start of the loop. I decided to head to the right saving the best part of the hike for last.

Through the Hills

This part of the trail goes through open areas alive with flowering trees and plants in spring.

I crossed a small brook with fallen trees that went high up into the hillside.

I stopped and took in a view of far-off hills framed by white flowering trees.

At the Back

The trail here follows an old road and is an easy wide hike. Follow the trail signs closely here so you don’t follow the road off the hiking trail.

A small section of the trail goes off the road and then comes back to it.

After this, the trail turns to the left and goes into groves of evergreens before coming down a grassy hill.

First Waterfall

I began to hear water flowing over a rock shelter. Then I came around a bend to see a small trail that goes below a waterfall. It was a circular ledge with water going over it creating a small pool.

Then I headed back up to the trail that goes above the falls. The stream is filled with short cliffs and rapids.

Glade Opening

The trail goes back through an open glade again. If you look in the distance you can see where you’ve gone through the forest and far in the distance where I walked through the glade earlier.

Next Waterfall

Here the water flows broadly over a wide rock cut. I stood in the middle of the streambed as the water flowed all around me.

More Waterfalls

Now I followed this creek as it pools over small waterfalls. It is worth keeping an eye out for the creek here.

Then the trail turns away from the creek and heads up into the hillside.

Then there is one last waterfall worth checking out.

It is off the main trail a short way to the right. It is a six-foot waterfall flowing over a ledge.

I walked above it and came across another one further back. Be careful walking around here since these are side trails.

After walking back, I noticed that I could have taken another side trail that went to the second waterfall.

Going Back to the Trailhead

This was the hardest part of the walk here facing a stony and rock surface climb up to the trailhead.

Final Thoughts

This has been the best hike to come across several small waterfalls near St. Louis.

If I had my son with me, I might only do the waterfalls with him and head back if he was not into doing the full hike.

If you want to the hard section first by going down instead of uphill go left at the start of the loop. Yet, going right does allow for the most scenic section to be the last.

This hike is best in spring when water is flowing across the small creeks.

Natural World in the Conservation Area

These glades have been only lightly disturbed by human activity. The plants and animals here are similar to those that were here at the time of settlement

The open areas or glades are dominated by little bluestem, Indian grass, big bluestem, and prairie dropseed. The forest here has blackjack oak, Eastern red cedar, post oak, flowering dogwood, and fragrant sumac.

Wildlife includes butterflies, six-lined race runners, and fence and easter collated lizards, snakes, deer, and turkey. I saw some of the lizards about, but they disappeared into the leaves before I could take pictures.

DETAILS

Dogs must be on a leash.

Drive: Take exit 2 off of Interstate 270 and go south Missouri Highway 21 then when the freeway section of Highway 21 ends makes a right onto Highway B. The parking area for Valley View Glades Natural area will be on the right.

Hours: Open from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Address: 131 Evergreen Dr, Hillsboro, MO 63050

HIKING TO WATERFALLS AT HICKORY CANYON

Box canyons, dripping waterfalls, and fern-filled cliffs are the sights and sounds and Hickory Canyons Natural Area.

Natural State of the Area

This area is botanically rich, supporting 541 native vascular plant species and 152 bryophytes (liverworts and mosses) species. A number of these species are considered glacial relicts. Glacial relicts are species that were more common in Missouri 12,000 years ago during the last Ice Age and survive in microclimates like this area.

The Lamotte sandstone here was formed from the sandy beaches of a shallow ocean that existed 500 million years ago. Layers of limestone were deposited over the sandstone, but millions of years of erosion and uplift of the Ozark Plateau exposed the sandstone found here.

THE HIKES

Hiking here involves two hikes. A one-mile hike begins on the other side of the parking area and across from Sprott Road and a half-mile hike starts from the parking lot. Look for two wooden poles designating each trail entrance. After you walk a little way on the side of the trails are map boards showing where the trails go.

Waterfall Trail

The trail is a natural surface and the area is rocky with numerous cliffs and you will come across some side trails for further exploration.

Starting The Trail

As I headed into the forest I noticed a bright red mushroom growing up among some tree roots. I was taking my time today since I was only hiking here and I wanted to look closer at the forest than sometimes I do.

Trees and Plant Life

The upper areas of this walk begin with shortleaf pine, oak trees, and highbush blueberry. As I headed down into the canyon I found sugar maples, pawpaw, spicebush, and wild azalea.

Into the Canyon

The canyon walk here includes cliffs, ledges, and overhangs, and ends with wet weather. I looked into the overhangs and ferns that grew along with them as I began to hear the pitter-patter of water.

Waterfall

The waterfall on the day I came was large drips coming down the cliffside. A small pond formed at the bottom of the falls with a small brook. I have seen photos of a streaming waterfall here after a large rain shower, so it can be heavier at times.

Walking Along the Cliff

I noticed a small trail heading up into the cliffs on the other side where I could come down to the waterfall and I decided to explore this trail. You can take this trail along the cliffs to where it ends opening up into a large open area where power lines cross the hills.

Above the Cliff

I followed a trail that went above the cliffs and headed back towards the waterfall. This added to the walk and made this trail more of a loop as opposed to out and back. The trail crosses the water before it cascades to form the waterfall. Be careful here so you don’t go down the waterfall. It was slippery today. Nex the trail rounded back to the main trail. I enjoyed this added adventure. If I come back here I’ll do this loop again.

Another Side Trail

Before you turn right to head towards the waterfall there is another side trail that goes down to the brook below. I didn’t explore this time and will leave it for something new to see next time.

1 Mile Loop Trail

I hiked this trail counter-clockwise to save the best for last. This trail is not as spectacular as the other one but has more variety of sites.

Beginning the Trail

I had a copy of the trail map with me. The trail is not used as much going counterclockwise so I had to keep a watchful eye on elevation and direction as I went.

Going Down

First, know this trail is going straight down. I came to a rock outcropping and a trail went to the left of me. I looked at the map and knew I needed to keep going ahead and not turn. Possibly, I might check this side trial out next time.

Along this trail, some ferns have taken over rock outcroppings. The cliffs in this area are always interesting to look out for plant life and shapes.

Creekside

The trail turns left and follows a rocky creek crossing back and forth. I like the cascades on the slick-rock bottom.  

Heading Up

Now you head up into the rocky terrain of the canyon. You’ll know you’re going in the right direction when you come to the sign “Caution – Steep Bluffs Ahead.” Now you are in the box canyon area.

Exploring Here

When you come to the stairs this is the end of the canyon area. I decided to check out the canyon area more. A large rock ledge creates almost a cave to walk into. I didn’t follow it down.

Instead, I went up along a bluff that juts out between two parts of the canyon. Be careful here. A small trail here goes out into the center of the bluff ending at a point.

Drip Waterfall

On the other side of this bluff is another drip waterfall. It is very steep here so don’t go into this area unless you have hiking boots on so you don’t lose your grip. I walked down towards the bottom looking up at the high cliff above me then carefully walked back up.

Up the Stairs

I walked back up the stairs and took the trail to the parking area. There was one other side trail that ended at some more cliffs. I also found a yellow flower in rocky soil that I’ve never seen before. You never know what you’ll discover in hiking.

Back at the SUV

I ate a sandwich and checked out the map. I decided to drive back using Highway 67 instead of Interstate 55 exploring more of the backcountry in this area. Doing the loop made the drive a lot more pleasant on the way home.

DETAILS

Drive: Take Interstate 55 south to Exit 154 for Highway O and take it west to Highway 32. Make a right onto MO-32 which you’re on for a short time before making a right onto Highway C then a left onto Sprott Road and look for parking for the Natural Area on your left.

Hours: The area is closed from 10 pm to 4 am.

Address: Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670

GRAHAM CAVE STATE PARK HIKE

Graham Cave State Park is right off Interstate 70 and is a hike into ancient history. Hiking through the park you walk in the footsteps of hunter-gathers thousands of years ago who found shelter in Graham Cave.

This state park also has waterfalls when it rains and babbling brooks along with a river nearby. 

Luckily the day we went as a family the waterfalls were flowing.

Graham Cave Trail

It is a .30-mile trail rated moderate and begins to the right of the parking area.

We first pass by an interpretive shelter with wayside exhibits on the cave and the ancient people that lived in it.

Then we cross a wooden bridge over a pebble-filled brook that leads to an overhanging cliff with water pouring down.

A wet-weather waterfall can be seen here and was flowing the day we were here.

Graham Cave

Next, we walked up wooden stairs to the view of the Graham Cave. It is shallow but has an enormous entrance of 120 feet and 16 feet high. It extends into the hillside for at least 100 feet.

Artifacts that have been uncovered in Graham Cave reveal the lives of people occupying the cave 8,000 to 10,000 years ago. Excavations found stone tools and a structure once built into the rock shelter for housing.

Archeologists Finds

As we stand in front of the rock cave we can imagine Native American lives. Using chert or flint for making projectile points, woodworking, and digging tools. 

Other types of stone were used for making tools by grinding. Stone was used for making mortars, grinding slabs, hammerstones, axes, whetstones, and hand stones. 

Bones and antlers were used for tools such as awls, punches, beamers (for removing fat from hides), combs, and eating utensils.

I talked about these things to my son Andrew as we walked along the trail.

On Top of the Cave

You can walk on top of the cave and look down at the open field below. It sort of like walking over a cement area and was fascinating and worth doing. It was the best part of the cave area.

Once we were up here there is not a trail. Yet, you can walk around here easily on the stone face and look for lizards, and here I found a prickly pear cactus.

I had to keep Andrew away from the edge but he liked being up here.

After scurrying about and taking photos of the pockmarked rocky terrain we headed down the paved trail that led back to the parking area. 

Look for the thong tree, these man-made shaped trees were trail markers left by Native Americans pointing to salt licks, springs, medicinal herbs, and here the cave.

Loutre River Trail

The Loutre River Trail begins near the boat dock in a field. The trail is a loop and about 2.50 miles long. The trail passes through bur oaks and Kentucky coffee trees. You can also find pawpaws, Ohio buckeyes, spicebush, and wildflowers such as the blue-eyed Mary. We didn’t have time to explore it today.

Fern Ridge Trail

This trail is half a mile one-way. It passes through the Graham Cave Glades. Here you might spot a slender glass lizard or a prairie lizard. The narrow trail winds just below the ridge top and then descends into a timbered valley containing wet-weather waterfalls and there are sandstone ledges often covered with lichens, mosses, and ferns. It leads from the lower parking lot near the playground to the intersection with Graham Cave Trail.

We explored this short trail. Andrew liked going up into the cliffs and checking out the boulders. The trail does have some elevation gain so be aware of that when you are hiking it.

Indian Glade Trail

We parked in the camping area to walk part of the .9-mile Indian Glade Trail. I wanted to do the most interesting section with sandstone and limestone geologic features.

This trail goes by some lichen-filled boulders and yellow wildflowers cliffside as it goes down towards a wet water waterfall.

Then we passed a cliff that juts out over the brook below.

On the cliff, you can see a small keyhole. I checked it out, but it was a bit steep for Andrew to be at and I just pointed it out to him.

Wet Weather Waterfall

I headed down into the area where the water tumbles into a small pond. Down here it was cool and you can hear the water going over the cliff. It is not easy to get down here so only do it if you are careful. David and Andrew stayed on top while I checked it out.

Back on the Trail

We walked a little further then noticed we were coming out of the cliff and brook area and decided to turn back to parking.

The Indian Glade Trail continues to the Graham Cave Trail.

Besides seeing the cave, this was probably my favorite hike. It was a ways from the main area of the park and included the waterfall and babbling brook.

NOTE: The park is close to the interstate, so you can hear highway noise along the Fern Ridge Trail and by the cave area.

Details

Drive: Graham Cave State Park is a bit over an hour’s drive from the St. Louis area on Interstate 70. 

It is probably one of the easiest hiking destinations to get to since it is just off the interstate. Exit 170 off Interstate 70 onto Missouri 161 and look for State Highway TT on your left just after coming onto 161. Highway TT leads directly into the park.

Hours: 7 am to Sunset

Admission: Free

Address: 217 State Hwy TT, Danville, MO 63361

FIND BLUFFS AND WATERFALLS AT THE GLASSBERG CONSERVATION AREA

Wet weather waterfalls and bluff-top views above the Meramec River are found at Myron and Sonya Glassberg Family Conservation Area.

Parking At Glassberg Conservation Area

A small gravel lot for the conservation area is on the left off of Highway FF south of Eureka, Mo.

I headed along the main trail to the loop passing by a memorial to Myron and Sonya Glassberg who donated to the development of the 634-acre conservation area.

The start of the 3-mile trail is an old road and follows a fast-moving creek on the day I was there due to recent rains.

Going Left

I decided to go left and do the part of the trail that went through woods, fields, and the upper part of the park first.

First Stop

I took a side trail at the start of this hike that went to a wet weather waterfall over green rock. I walked around it, seeing where it flowed from on top.

Through the Forest

After the waterfall, I headed down the trail walking along a wide lane with tall evergreens above me. Next, I turned to the right up into fields and woods leaving the road that ended at a gate in the other direction.

Woods and Fields

Hiking here went through the forest then back through open land. It was muddy so it was a slog today. It took me a while before the trail went up into rockier terrain along the Meramec River bluffs.

Along the Meramec

A side trail leads to a lookout once on the bluffs. On the way, I found a large boulder with a poem that reads:

I came to the woods because I wished to live deliberately to front only the essential facts of life and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived —

HENRY DAVID THOREAU 1817-1863

Following the Bluffs

Bluffs with views of the river below filled this area. I wandered around here on the cliffs high above the fields and river.

Walking further along a side trail to the right of the lookout I began to notice on my Alltrails app that I was heading away from the trail. I had thought this trail would loop back but it didn’t. So I had to backtrack up the hill.

If you want to do some extra hiking this is a scenic walk, but it is a workout.

Back at the Trail

The loop trail heads back down the river hills passing by a muddy pond.

The conservation department had drained the lake here for a more natural environment. Today it was partially filled once more from the rain.

Along the Creek

After stopping here the trail widens as part of another old lane and goes along a babbling brook filled with water today.

I came across a wet-weather waterfall with suds as it rushed to large creeks. If I had brought a lunch I might have stopped here and taken in the sight and sounds of the water.

Completing the Loop

This trail continued along the creek with the gurgling of water as background sound. I walked back to the car stopping one last time at the other waterfall before heading to the car.

Final Thoughts on Glassberg Conservation Area

This is a great hike after a rainy day with the water flowing through the area. Even with the mud, it paid off to be here with all the water flowing around me.

The views along the cliffs and taking my time to walk around the cliffs here added to my enjoyment of the hike.

If you only wanted a short hike I think going to the right and heading straight for the lookout gives you the best of the walk.

DETAILS

Drive: Take exit 264 off of Interstate 44 and go south on Hwy 109 in Eureka, Mo. Then take State Hwy FF west for 4.3 miles and look for the gravel parking lot on the right.

Hours: 4 am – 10 pm

Address: State Hwy FF, Pacific, MO 63069

MORE SPRING HIKES

Hiking Fox Creek Spur Loop at Rockwoods Range

On a spring day, I did about a 3.2-mile hike combining parts of four trails for a loop at Rockwoods Range Conservation Area. This hike includes an uphill hike and then downhill following a brook with small waterfalls and green lichen rock.

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.

This park has an interesting past and is known for its trail along the Meramec River and especially the cliffs at the top.