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10 Amazing Winter Hikes to Explore Near St. Louis

By on Tue, Jan 10, 2017 at 11:16 pm

We'll get this right out of the way first: Winter hikes are no joke. The key is layering -- we're talking long underwear, fleece and down. And cotton? It is to be avoided, even in your gloves and socks. (It takes a long time to dry and can lead to frostbite. Who wants that?) But now that attire is out of the way, let's get to what you really came for: Ten amazing winter hikes near St. Louis. With varying difficulty levels and distances from the city, you're bound to find one that's right for you.

We'll get this right out of the way first: Winter hikes are no joke. The key is layering -- we're talking long underwear, fleece and down. And cotton? It is to be avoided, even in your gloves and socks. (It takes a long time to dry and can lead to frostbite. Who wants that?)

But now that attire is out of the way, let's get to what you really came for: Ten amazing winter hikes near St. Louis. With varying difficulty levels and distances from the city, you're bound to find one that's right for you.

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10 Amazing Winter Hikes to Explore Near St. Louis
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Castlewood State Park 1401 Kiefer Creek Rd. Ballwin, MO 63021 (636) 227-4433 Always a favorite among St. Louisans, Castlewood State Park is a good option all year round. The park has an assortment of trails, all ranging in various difficulty and distance so you can pick your winter challenge accordingly. Photo courtesy of Instagram / ehowe19.
Castlewood State Park
1401 Kiefer Creek Rd.
Ballwin, MO 63021
(636) 227-4433

Always a favorite among St. Louisans, Castlewood State Park is a good option all year round. The park has an assortment of trails, all ranging in various difficulty and distance so you can pick your winter challenge accordingly. Photo courtesy of Instagram / ehowe19.
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Fun fact: Castlewood Park is also regarded as one of the best mountain biking locations in the St. Louis area. Whether you want to try doing that in the snow, however, is up to you. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
Fun fact: Castlewood Park is also regarded as one of the best mountain biking locations in the St. Louis area. Whether you want to try doing that in the snow, however, is up to you. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
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Klondike Park 4600 Highway 94 S. Augusta, MO 63332 Estimated drive time: 47 minutes. Directions here. Klondike Park has four miles of natural and paved trails, and most are accessible by car -- making it perfect for winter hiking. The view doesn't hurt, either. Photo courtesy of Instagram / lucaswinkelmann.
Klondike Park
4600 Highway 94 S.
Augusta, MO 63332
Estimated drive time: 47 minutes. Directions here.

Klondike Park has four miles of natural and paved trails, and most are accessible by car -- making it perfect for winter hiking. The view doesn't hurt, either. Photo courtesy of Instagram / lucaswinkelmann.
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Want to stay overnight? Klondike Park has some adorable cabins, plus basic and primitive camp sites. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
Want to stay overnight? Klondike Park has some adorable cabins, plus basic and primitive camp sites. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
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Chain of Rocks Bridge Riverview Dr, St. Louis, MO 63137 (314) 416-9930 Estimated drive time: 22 minutes. Directions here. This may not be your idea of hiking necessarily, but nevertheless, the Chain of Rocks bridge connects trails with great views of the Mississippi. Both cyclists and pedestrians are welcome to explore the MCT Confluence Trail, Mississippi River Trail and St. Louis Riverfront Trail, and free parking is available on the Illinois side. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
Chain of Rocks Bridge
Riverview Dr, St. Louis, MO 63137
(314) 416-9930
Estimated drive time: 22 minutes. Directions here.

This may not be your idea of hiking necessarily, but nevertheless, the Chain of Rocks bridge connects trails with great views of the Mississippi. Both cyclists and pedestrians are welcome to explore the MCT Confluence Trail, Mississippi River Trail and St. Louis Riverfront Trail, and free parking is available on the Illinois side. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
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The Chain of Rocks Bridge is full of history -- in 1936, the famous Route 66 highway was even rerouted over the bridge. It also happens to be a great place to see eagles during the winter. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
The Chain of Rocks Bridge is full of history -- in 1936, the famous Route 66 highway was even rerouted over the bridge. It also happens to be a great place to see eagles during the winter. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
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Hawn State Park 12096 Park Dr. Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670 (573) 883-3603 Estimated drive time: 1 hour, 9 minutes. Directions here. Pickle Creek Trail in Hawn State Park is one of our favorite trails in Missouri. This short but sweet trek follows a rippling stream and is quite lovely in the snow. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
Hawn State Park
12096 Park Dr.
Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670
(573) 883-3603
Estimated drive time: 1 hour, 9 minutes. Directions here.

Pickle Creek Trail in Hawn State Park is one of our favorite trails in Missouri. This short but sweet trek follows a rippling stream and is quite lovely in the snow. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
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If you can bear the cold, hike the beginning of the the Whispering Pines Trail, which runs through a mixed hardwood and pine forest at Hawn State Park. It's basically the definition of winter wonderland. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
If you can bear the cold, hike the beginning of the the Whispering Pines Trail, which runs through a mixed hardwood and pine forest at Hawn State Park. It's basically the definition of winter wonderland. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
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Pere Marquette State Park 13112 Visitor Center Lane Grafton, IL 62037 Estimated drive time: 1 hour and 1 minute. Directions here. In addition to great views of the Illinois River and its backwaters, Pere Marquette State Park offers a variety of year-round recreational activities, including fishing, horseback riding and, of course, hiking. Photo courtesy of Instagram / britney_alyse.
Pere Marquette State Park
13112 Visitor Center Lane
Grafton, IL 62037
Estimated drive time: 1 hour and 1 minute. Directions here.

In addition to great views of the Illinois River and its backwaters, Pere Marquette State Park offers a variety of year-round recreational activities, including fishing, horseback riding and, of course, hiking. Photo courtesy of Instagram / britney_alyse.
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Pere Marquette has a variety of trails to choose from according to distance and difficulty. Then, when you just can't take the chill anymore, seek shelter in Pere Marquette Lodge, its restaurant or cabins. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
Pere Marquette has a variety of trails to choose from according to distance and difficulty. Then, when you just can't take the chill anymore, seek shelter in Pere Marquette Lodge, its restaurant or cabins. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
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Washington State Park 13041, MO-104 De Soto, MO 63020 (636) 586-5768 Estimated drive time: 1 hour, 6 minutes. Directions here. Washington State Park has a variety of hiking options, but we recommend Rockywood Trail. This six-mile trail features caves, nice vistas overlooking the Big River and two-thirds of Missouri's known petroglyphs. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
Washington State Park
13041, MO-104
De Soto, MO 63020
(636) 586-5768
Estimated drive time: 1 hour, 6 minutes. Directions here.

Washington State Park has a variety of hiking options, but we recommend Rockywood Trail. This six-mile trail features caves, nice vistas overlooking the Big River and two-thirds of Missouri's known petroglyphs. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
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Like what you see at Washington State Park? Come back in warmer weather for some great swimming. The park is also suitable for fishing, camping and floating. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
Like what you see at Washington State Park? Come back in warmer weather for some great swimming. The park is also suitable for fishing, camping and floating. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
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Fort Belle Fontaine Park 13002 Bellefontaine Road St. Louis, MO 63138 Estimated drive time: 31 minutes. Directions here. A history lesson and a hiking destination, Fort Belle Fontaine was established in 1805 as the first U.S. military installation west of the Mississippi. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
Fort Belle Fontaine Park
13002 Bellefontaine Road
St. Louis, MO 63138
Estimated drive time: 31 minutes. Directions here.

A history lesson and a hiking destination, Fort Belle Fontaine was established in 1805 as the first U.S. military installation west of the Mississippi. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
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The Lewis & Clark Interpretative Trail in Fort Belle Fontaine spans three miles, making it a manageable distance for winter hiking. You'll also see large stone structures, which the Works Progress Administration added in the 1930s when the city of St. Louis owned the land. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
The Lewis & Clark Interpretative Trail in Fort Belle Fontaine spans three miles, making it a manageable distance for winter hiking. You'll also see large stone structures, which the Works Progress Administration added in the 1930s when the city of St. Louis owned the land. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
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Greensfelder County Park 4515 Hencken Road St. Louis, MO 63069 (636) 458-3801 Estimated drive time: 37 minutes. Directions here. Greensfelder County Park offers trails and fantastic views in the foothills of the Ozark mountains. Photo courtesy of Instagram / flopsita.
Greensfelder County Park
4515 Hencken Road
St. Louis, MO 63069
(636) 458-3801
Estimated drive time: 37 minutes. Directions here.

Greensfelder County Park offers trails and fantastic views in the foothills of the Ozark mountains. Photo courtesy of Instagram / flopsita.
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The park features a three and half mile loop trail that is considered to be moderately difficult -- good for a challenge, but not so much that you'll wonder why the heck you're hiking out in the cold. Photo courtesy of Instagram / flopsita.
The park features a three and half mile loop trail that is considered to be moderately difficult -- good for a challenge, but not so much that you'll wonder why the heck you're hiking out in the cold. Photo courtesy of Instagram / flopsita.
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Cliff Cave County Park 806 Cliff Cave Rd. St. Louis, MO 63129 (314) 615-4386 Estimated drive time: 27 minutes. Directions here. Cliff Cave is developed in Mississippian St. Louis limestone and is the second longest cave in the county. The cave itself is closed to protect its population of Indiana bats, which are on the endangered species list. However, Cliff Cave Park still has trails worth checking out. Photo courtesy of Instagram / Photo courtesy of Instagram / thereal_stevenshelley.
Cliff Cave County Park
806 Cliff Cave Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 615-4386
Estimated drive time: 27 minutes. Directions here.

Cliff Cave is developed in Mississippian St. Louis limestone and is the second longest cave in the county. The cave itself is closed to protect its population of Indiana bats, which are on the endangered species list. However, Cliff Cave Park still has trails worth checking out. Photo courtesy of Instagram / Photo courtesy of Instagram / thereal_stevenshelley.
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The trails at Cliff Cave Park are appropriate for a variety of fitness levels, and some areas are actually pretty flat. Winter weather can't stop you here. Photo courtesy of Instagram / amberlywho.
The trails at Cliff Cave Park are appropriate for a variety of fitness levels, and some areas are actually pretty flat. Winter weather can't stop you here. Photo courtesy of Instagram / amberlywho.
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Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park 800 Guy Park Dr. Wildwood, MO 63005 (636) 458-3813 Estimated drive time: 41 minutes. Directions here. Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park features different trails with varying distance and difficulty levels so you and your fellow winter hikers can choose the one that suits you. Photo courtesy of Instagram / good_shepherd_episcopal.
Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park
800 Guy Park Dr.
Wildwood, MO 63005
(636) 458-3813
Estimated drive time: 41 minutes. Directions here.

Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park features different trails with varying distance and difficulty levels so you and your fellow winter hikers can choose the one that suits you. Photo courtesy of Instagram / good_shepherd_episcopal.
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