Exploring St. Louis: Fall Hikes

Cliff Cave Park

Near Oakville, Missouri

Just about 20 minutes south of Downtown St. Louis on the Mississippi River, Cliff Cave Park offers views from the bluffs, river scenery, wooded areas, and of course the cave. Find paved and unpaved trails with shorter trail options (Spring Valley Trail Inner Loop is 1.2 mi) and longer treks (Mississippi Greenway Trail is 7.1 mi). Note: the Cave is gated off to protect endangered Indiana Bats and other species who have made it their home.

Quick Tips for Hiking Cliff Cave:

1. Avoid going right after it rains; the unpaved sections of the trails can get quite muddy and very slippery.

2. Its proximity to the city makes it a popular hiking destination. If you can, visit during the week to avoid some of the weekend crowds.

Castlewood State Park

Ballwin, Missouri

A favorite destination for mountain bikers, Castlewood State Park also offers beautiful hiking opportunities with spectacular views. Hike The River Scene Trail and ascend to the top of the limestone bluffs that tower over the Meramec River. Or take the Lone Wolf Trail along the bluffs and down to a meadow.

Quick Tip for Hiking Castlewood:

This park is well-known and well-sought-out so it tends to get crowded fast on the weekends. Rangers may cut off admittance until it thins out. Go early or late in the day to ensure entrance.

Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
& Emmeneger Nature Park

Kirkwood, Missouri

There are two hidden gems right near the intersection of I-44 and I-270 that make for easy St. Louis fall hikes. Powder Valley features 112 acres of wooded hills crossed by three paved trails. Wood bridges crisscross over a creek at the bottom of the valley. You’ll be thankful for the occasional bench on the way back up! Oh, and keep an eye out for deer in the thick coverage.

Quick Tips for Hiking Powder Valley:

1. Dogs are not welcome to join you here, noted by the signage as you drive through the entrance to the park.

2. The paved paths make this an ideal destination for families with children in strollers.

Secondly, just across I-270, Emmeneger has another 93 acres to explore. Climb the riverside bluff overlooking the Meramec River before descending and looping back. Both are awesome family-friendly locations, easy enough to get the little ones out and shorter trails that keep their interest.

Cuivre River State Park

Troy, Missouri

Northern Missouri isn’t typically where you’d look for Ozark land, but Cuivre River State Park offers just that. One of Missouri’s largest (and most rugged) state parks, its forested hills and a lake provide prime leaf peeping territory. Not feeling up for a hike? This park is a great one for a colorful scenic drive down miles of winding road on the hills.

Top Trails (according to AllTrails.com):

1. Frenchman’s Bluff Trail Loop | 1.6 mi

2. Lincoln Lakeside Trail | 3.4 mi

Echo Bluff State Park (Missouri’s Newest State Park)

Eminence, Missouri

Echo Bluff State Park is the complete, quintessential Missouri Ozark destination. With the Current River a half-mile away, Echo Bluff State Park is set in a valley surrounded by towering bluffs, unsullied forest and cut by the Sinking Creek. Miles of scenic trails are ideal for both serious backpackers looking for rugged exploration and family-friendly serene day hikes. The park’s namesake, Echo Bluff, rises hundreds of feet above the creek, a concave wonder that is certainly sure to amaze.

Elephant Rocks State Park & Johnson’s Shut Ins

Belleview, Missouri & Middle Brook, Missouri

Elephant Rocks State Park is named for the giant 1.5-billion-year-old granite boulders that lay end to end. Follow the Braille Trail for an easy way to see the giant rocks; the trail was designed for people with visual and physical disabilities. An extension off the trail leads back to the ruins of an old railroad engine house.

Since this park is farther away than others, make a day of it and hit Johnson’s Shut Ins before heading back to the city. The rocky river scenery helps the surrounding bright autumn leaves pop in the fall!

Hawn State Park

New Offenburg, Missouri

Hills of stately pine and oak trees, sandy-bottom streams, and sandstone canyons and cliffs create one of the most significant and scenic landscapes in Missouri at Hawn State Park. This amazing landscape offers a peaceful setting where visitors can camp, hike, picnic, and enjoy nature. The best way to experience the park is on its trails, which range from a short walk to an overlook area to an almost 10-mile-long backpacking trail that is considered one of the best in the state.

Bluff View Park & The Wabash, Frisco, and Pacific Railroad Rides along the Meramec

Wildwood, Missouri

Bluff View Park is 100 acres and has a natural-surface type trail that offers one of the most beautiful views in the area of the Crescent Valley. Although the trail can be challenging and has some strenuous climbs, it is nonetheless a great experience for all nature lovers. This park is designed for walkers, runners, bicyclists, and equestrian users as well.

All Aboard the WF&P!

Ride on the 12 inch gauge steam railroad! The two mile round trip lasts about 40 minutes and travels along the Meramec River. The WF&P is operated by an all-volunteer staff. Rides are available only on Sundays from May through October and tickets sell quickly – hop on one of the last ones this season to catch the changing fall colors!