Best Places to hike in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is one of the hidden gems within Missouri when it comes to some of the best hiking trails in the United States. Not only are their some great hiking paths within the city, near St. Louis is where the real adventures begin. From vast mountains to breathtaking forests, there are trails for all skill levels to enjoy. Below are some of our favorite hikes near St. Louis for you to explore. Enjoy!
River Scene Trail – Hiking in St. Louis
Length of Trail – 3 miles
Cost: Free
Location: 1401 Kiefer Creek Rd, Ballwin, MO 63021
Phone: (636) 227-4433
Castlewood State Park is home to several amazing hiking trails that all have scenic views of the Meramec River and valley. River Scene trail is no different and has you trek some of the best paths Missouri has to offer. As you begin your travels you are quickly taken into lush wilderness before ascending upwards towards the peak. As you leave the wilderness part of the hike you are rewarded with 360 panoramic views of the valley and bluffs. It’s about a mile hiking trail along the bluffs which never seem to disappoint with the scenic views. Many enjoy taking a break here to have a quick snack, rest, and rejuvenation of the soul. In the early morning or late evenings the orange lit sky adds to the beauty of St. Louis’s landscape.
After the bluffs you will begin to descend back down to the trailhead. There are various iconic and historical landmarks you can view such as an old resort and railroad tunnel. Lastly your will hike next to Meramec River before arriving back at your starting point. Happy Hiking!
Lakeview Loop – Hiking in St. Louis
Length of Trail – 4 miles
Cost: Free
Location: 13725 Marine Ave, St. Louis, MO 63146
Phone:
Right in the heart of St. Louis likes a perfect hiking trail for both locals and tourists who want to do a little sightseeing or enjoy an afternoon stroll. This 4 mile loop is visited by bikers, joggers, dog walkers, and the casual park bench reader. The ease of the trail path as well as accessibility to the city makes this the best hiking loop if you want to stay in St. Louis. Creve Coeur Lake also resides here and is a nice tranquil view as you walk along it’s banks. In between your other activities make sure you take a couple hours to enjoy the outdoors and rejuvenate your mind before your next adventure.
Hawk Ridge Trail – Hiking in St. Louis
Length of Trail – 4 miles
Cost: Free
Location: 1675 S Mason Rd, St. Louis, MO 63131
Phone:
Located near St. Louis is Queeny Park, home to the hawk ridge trail. This four mile loop consists of wildlife, creeks, lakes, and vast fields making it one of our favorite hikes in the area. As you begin your trek you will know you are on the right path if you pass a barn and small animal museum. The journey will continue over a creek, two lakes and finally an alfalfa field. This is where many like to stop to enjoy the wildlife and scenic views of the park. After a quick stop you’ll continue along the forest and marsh before a quick uphill hike back to the trailhead.
It’s a fairly easy hike near St. Louis and a great way to spend a few hours. Happy Hiking!
River Scene Trail – Hiking in St. Louis
Length of Trail – 3 miles
Cost: Free
Location: 1401 Kiefer Creek Rd, Ballwin, MO 63021
Phone: (636) 227-4433
Castlewood State Park is home to several amazing trails near St. Louis, Missouri. It’s a popular location for both locals and tourists as it gives breathtaking views of Meramec River, lush forests, and rolling hills as far as the eye can see. Although we would consider it a little more moderate of a hike due to the incline to get to the top, it’s still easy enough for any age and skill to make the trek. In the mornings or evenings when the sun is setting you’ll get stunning skies that light up the hillsides for an unforgettable hike.
Goat Cliff Trail – Hiking near St. Louis
Length of Trail – 2 miles
Cost: Free
Location: 13653 Lodge Blvd, Grafton, IL 62037
Phone:
There are several amazing and scenic areas throughout this short hike through Pere Marquette Park which is why we have added this hiking trail on our list. From the historic lodge you will begin your journey on Goat Cliff trail through iconic and ancient rock formations which have several overlook views to stop and enjoy. People from all over the world have hiked this trail due to it’s most iconic backdrop of McAdams Peak. It may be the most scenic view of Missouri’s landscape near St. Louis. Once you are done enjoying the sites, it’s a short hike back down to the lodge where you can grab a bite to eat and reminisce on the epic day you just had. Happy Hiking!
Grant’s Trail – Hiking in St. Louis
Length of Trail – 8 miles
Cost: Free
Location:
Phone:
Located in the heart of St. Louis is another popular and easy hiking trail for bikers, joggers, and outdoor enthusiasts. The path is all paved making it easy to access. Although it is a fairly long hiking path, you can choose as far as you want to go before turning around.
Elephant Rocks Trail – Hiking near St. Louis
Length of Trail – 1 mile
Cost: Free
Location: 7390, 7406 MO-21, Belleview, MO 63623
Phone: (573) 546-3454
Ruins, forests, boulders, and ponds are just a few things you’ll enjoy on this short hike near St. Louis. It’s one of our favorite places to go due to so many sites and scenic views in such a short area that you don’t need to spend an entire day to catch a glimpse of everything Missouri has to offer.
White Bison Trail – Hiking near St. Louis
Length of Trail – 4 miles
Cost: Free
Location: 1 Lone Elk Park Rd, Valley Park, MO 63088
Phone: (314) 615-4386
As the hiking trail suggests, Lone Elk Park is one of our favorite paths near St. Louis do to the wildlife you will encounter on your adventure. The four mile stretch is considered a little more on the moderate side with due to the ascending parts you’ll have to hike, but it’s still perfect for any skill. Through your journey you’ll see bison, deer, gees, turkeys, and a lot more. It may not be as scenic as some other hikes near St. Louis, but the wildlife definitely makes up for it.
Taum Sauk Trail – Hiking near St. Louis
Length of Trail – 12 miles
Cost: Free
Location: 401 Fairgrounds Rd, Rolla, MO 65401
Phone: (573) 364-4621
Out of the hundreds of different trail for you to choose from in the Ozarks, a top favorite for travelers visiting Missouri is Taum Sauk Trail. This is a more advanced trail with technical sections to navigate. If you up for the challenge and can reach one of the highest peaks in the state, you’ll be given breathtaking views of the mountains and Ozarks. Through your hiking adventure you’ll also see several waterfalls that seem to appear out of nowhere. In this case all we can say is risk and reward. Happy Hiking!
Lewis and Clark Trails – Hiking near St. Louis
Length of Trail – 6 miles
Cost: Fee
Location: 6990 S Missouri 94, St Charles, MO 63304
Phone: (636) 441-4554
There are two different hiking loops for you to choose within Weldon Spring Conservation. If you ask someone from St. Louis where to go for a day of hiking, many will recommend this trail. The wilderness backdrop while you enjoy wildlife all around you is a very calming and tranquil way to spend time outdoors. The trails also offer beautiful rivers, bridges, and rock formations for you to stop and appreciate. Lewis and Clark Trails is one of the best hiking trails St. Louis has to offer.
Other Hiking Trails in St. Louis
- Mina Sauk Falls Trail
- Sandstone Canyon Trail
- Little Grand Canyon
- Lime Kiln Loop Trail
- Pere Marquette State Park Outer Loop
- Bell Mountain Trail
- Wilderness Trail
- Fox Run to Round House Loop
- Buford Mountain State Forest Trail
- Whispering Pines Trail
Map of Hiking Trails in St. Louis
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