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10 Hiking Spots Near St. Louis That You Have to Explore

By on Tue, Aug 16, 2016 at 7:07 pm

Ready for a little adventure? Missouri is full of amazing hiking spots for you to get your nature fix -- and lucky for us, many are just a short drive from St. Louis. We've picked ten of our favorites, varying in difficulty and distance from home, each with a couple of photos so you can get an idea of what to expect. Whether you try one of these beautiful trails or all of them, in the end you'll have to agree: The outdoor options offered in Missouri are seriously underrated.

Ready for a little adventure? Missouri is full of amazing hiking spots for you to get your nature fix -- and lucky for us, many are just a short drive from St. Louis. We've picked ten of our favorites, varying in difficulty and distance from home, each with a couple of photos so you can get an idea of what to expect. Whether you try one of these beautiful trails or all of them, in the end you'll have to agree: The outdoor options offered in Missouri are seriously underrated.

08/16/2016
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Looking for a bit of an adrenaline rush? Castlewood State Park is also regarded as one of the best mountain biking locations in the area. It's a great place to get a dose of adventure without having to travel far. Photo by Steve Truesdell.
Missouri State Parks unless otherwise noted.
Looking for a bit of an adrenaline rush? Castlewood State Park is also regarded as one of the best mountain biking locations in the area. It's a great place to get a dose of adventure without having to travel far. Photo by Steve Truesdell.
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Castlewood State Park 1401 Kiefer Creek Road Ballwin, MO 63021-7338 Estimated drive time: 35 minutes. Directions here. Castlewood State Park isn't a local favorite simply because of its convenience. There are trails for every skill level, and it's also regarded as one of the best mountain biking locations near St. Louis. And did we mention the views are beautiful? Photo by Steve Truesdell.
Castlewood State Park
1401 Kiefer Creek Road
Ballwin, MO 63021-7338
Estimated drive time: 35 minutes. Directions here.

Castlewood State Park isn't a local favorite simply because of its convenience. There are trails for every skill level, and it's also regarded as one of the best mountain biking locations near St. Louis. And did we mention the views are beautiful? Photo by Steve Truesdell.
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Castlewood State Park has an interesting history as well. Back in the early 1900s, St. Louisans didn't come to the area for the scenic ambiance -- they came to party. You won't find nightclubs there now (why would you leave the city for that, anyway?), but you will see the Meramec River, the surrounding valley and plenty of trails to explore. Photo courtesy of Instagram / mrisland9.
Castlewood State Park has an interesting history as well. Back in the early 1900s, St. Louisans didn't come to the area for the scenic ambiance -- they came to party. You won't find nightclubs there now (why would you leave the city for that, anyway?), but you will see the Meramec River, the surrounding valley and plenty of trails to explore. Photo courtesy of Instagram / mrisland9.
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August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area 2360 Highway D Saint Charles, MO 63304 Estimated drive time: 33 minutes. Directions here. This conservation area boasts 3,000 acres of forest, as well as grassland, prairie, cropland, fields and wetlands. Popular activities include fishing, bird watching and hiking. Photo courtesy of Instagram / anantha_nv.
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area
2360 Highway D
Saint Charles, MO 63304
Estimated drive time: 33 minutes. Directions here.

This conservation area boasts 3,000 acres of forest, as well as grassland, prairie, cropland, fields and wetlands. Popular activities include fishing, bird watching and hiking. Photo courtesy of Instagram / anantha_nv.
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Named the most scenic hike in the Metro St. Louis area on alltrails.com, The Lewis and Clark Trail will take you by limestone cliffs and steep slopes just 25 yards or so off the main trail. You'll get an awesome view of the Missouri River bluffs. Photo courtesy of Instagram / flockesnowflake.
Named the most scenic hike in the Metro St. Louis area on alltrails.com, The Lewis and Clark Trail will take you by limestone cliffs and steep slopes just 25 yards or so off the main trail. You'll get an awesome view of the Missouri River bluffs. Photo courtesy of Instagram / flockesnowflake.
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Hawn State Park 12096 Park Drive Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670-8121 Estimated drive time: 1 hour, 10 minutes. Directions here. So, you say you want a hiking adventure? Hawn State Park has something for everyone, from the bird-watcher to the backpacker. We recommend you hike to the Whispering Pines Wild Area via Pickle Creek (pictured). Photo courtesy of Instagram / kelseylynnw1.
Hawn State Park
12096 Park Drive
Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670-8121
Estimated drive time: 1 hour, 10 minutes. Directions here.

So, you say you want a hiking adventure? Hawn State Park has something for everyone, from the bird-watcher to the backpacker. We recommend you hike to the Whispering Pines Wild Area via Pickle Creek (pictured). Photo courtesy of Instagram / kelseylynnw1.
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Whispering Pines Trail is challenging, but this scenic hike is truly hard to beat. You'll see everything from cool rock formations and various wildlife to creeks, old forests and stunning views. Photo courtesy of Instagram / marylouwatkins.
Whispering Pines Trail is challenging, but this scenic hike is truly hard to beat. You'll see everything from cool rock formations and various wildlife to creeks, old forests and stunning views. Photo courtesy of Instagram / marylouwatkins.
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Shaw Nature Reserve 307 Pinetum Loop Rd. Gray Summit, MO 63039 Estimated drive time: 40 minutes. Directions here. Owned by the Missouri Botanical Garden, Shaw Nature Reserve is a gem located along the Meramec River. Science geeks will love a walk along these trails, where you can find a vast array of plant and animal life. Photo courtesy of Instagram / shawnaturereserve.
Shaw Nature Reserve
307 Pinetum Loop Rd.
Gray Summit, MO 63039
Estimated drive time: 40 minutes. Directions here.

Owned by the Missouri Botanical Garden, Shaw Nature Reserve is a gem located along the Meramec River. Science geeks will love a walk along these trails, where you can find a vast array of plant and animal life. Photo courtesy of Instagram / shawnaturereserve.
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The variety of trails at Shaw Nature Reserve accommodate various skill levels. You can also venture to the wetlands, where you can get an up-close look at aquatic plant and animal life. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Rick Mester.
The variety of trails at Shaw Nature Reserve accommodate various skill levels. You can also venture to the wetlands, where you can get an up-close look at aquatic plant and animal life. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Rick Mester.
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Mina Sauk Falls Trail at Taum Sauk Mountain State Park Hwy. CC Ironton, MO 63656 Estimated drive time: 1 hour, 48 minutes. Directions here. After this particular hiking trip, you'll be able to say you've stood at Missouri's tallest point, Taum Sauk Mountain, which clocks in at 1,772 feet. Then hike to Mina Sauk Falls, which also happens to be the tallest waterfall in Missouri. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
Mina Sauk Falls Trail at Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
Hwy. CC
Ironton, MO 63656
Estimated drive time: 1 hour, 48 minutes. Directions here.

After this particular hiking trip, you'll be able to say you've stood at Missouri's tallest point, Taum Sauk Mountain, which clocks in at 1,772 feet. Then hike to Mina Sauk Falls, which also happens to be the tallest waterfall in Missouri. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
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The Mina Sauk Falls Trail has some great overlooks, where you can get a picturesque view of the St. Francois Mountains. The trail is considered moderately difficult, and it intersects with the Ozark Trail. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Keith Yahl.
The Mina Sauk Falls Trail has some great overlooks, where you can get a picturesque view of the St. Francois Mountains. The trail is considered moderately difficult, and it intersects with the Ozark Trail. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Keith Yahl.
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Cliff Cave County Park 806 Cliff Cave Road Saint Louis, MO 63129 Estimated drive time: 26 minutes. Directions here. Welcome to the second largest cave in St. Louis County. Cliff Cave is a historic and archaeological site, as well as a great place to hike. Photo courtesy of Instagram / stlcountyparks.
Cliff Cave County Park
806 Cliff Cave Road
Saint Louis, MO 63129
Estimated drive time: 26 minutes. Directions here.

Welcome to the second largest cave in St. Louis County. Cliff Cave is a historic and archaeological site, as well as a great place to hike. Photo courtesy of Instagram / stlcountyparks.
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The cave itself was gated in 2009 in an effort to protect its Indiana bats, which are on the endangered species list. However, there are an array of trails around the cave for you to roam -- and your best friend can come with you as long as he's on a leash. Photo courtesy of Instagram / josie_the_gsd.
The cave itself was gated in 2009 in an effort to protect its Indiana bats, which are on the endangered species list. However, there are an array of trails around the cave for you to roam -- and your best friend can come with you as long as he's on a leash. Photo courtesy of Instagram / josie_the_gsd.
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Bangert Island 1704 S. River Road St. Charles, MO 63303 Estimated drive time: 28 minutes. Directions here. If you prefer to explore nature by bike, we have the adventure for you: Bangert Island, located in Creve Coeur County Park. Mostly used for hiking and mountain biking, Bangert Island can be accessed right off the Katy Trail. Photo courtesy of Instagram / nicoletteelisetp.
Bangert Island
1704 S. River Road
St. Charles, MO 63303
Estimated drive time: 28 minutes. Directions here.

If you prefer to explore nature by bike, we have the adventure for you: Bangert Island, located in Creve Coeur County Park. Mostly used for hiking and mountain biking, Bangert Island can be accessed right off the Katy Trail. Photo courtesy of Instagram / nicoletteelisetp.
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Bangert Island is 2.1 miles long and consists of several small loops for varying difficulty, giving you a quality outdoors experience in your own backyard. You can access it from April to October. Photo courtesy of Instagram / iluvv2travel.
Bangert Island is 2.1 miles long and consists of several small loops for varying difficulty, giving you a quality outdoors experience in your own backyard. You can access it from April to October. Photo courtesy of Instagram / iluvv2travel.
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Klondike Park 4600 Highway 94 S. Augusta, MO 63332 Estimated drive time: 48 minutes. Directions here. Spanning 250 acres, Klondike Park was previously the site of an old silica sand quarry. Now preserved as parkland, Klondike Park features both natural and paved trails for you to explore, as well as a white sand beach. Photo courtesy of Flickr / George Shao.
Klondike Park
4600 Highway 94 S.
Augusta, MO 63332
Estimated drive time: 48 minutes. Directions here.

Spanning 250 acres, Klondike Park was previously the site of an old silica sand quarry. Now preserved as parkland, Klondike Park features both natural and paved trails for you to explore, as well as a white sand beach. Photo courtesy of Flickr / George Shao.
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Klondike Park also has a lookout bluff, where you'll have scenic views of both the Katy Trail and the Missouri River Valley. Don't miss it. Photo courtesy of Instagram / canaday54321.
Klondike Park also has a lookout bluff, where you'll have scenic views of both the Katy Trail and the Missouri River Valley. Don't miss it. Photo courtesy of Instagram / canaday54321.
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Minnie Ha Ha Park 801 Old Gravois Road St. Louis, MO 63127 Estimated drive time: 25 minutes. Directions here. Looking for a first-time hiking experience for the kids (furry and otherwise)? Minnie Ha Ha Trail is close to home and paved, making for an easy trip. The park also has picnic shelters and three play areas, perfect for when your companions have hit their hiking quota for the day. Photo courtesy of Instagram / dexthemalamute.
Minnie Ha Ha Park
801 Old Gravois Road
St. Louis, MO 63127
Estimated drive time: 25 minutes. Directions here.

Looking for a first-time hiking experience for the kids (furry and otherwise)? Minnie Ha Ha Trail is close to home and paved, making for an easy trip. The park also has picnic shelters and three play areas, perfect for when your companions have hit their hiking quota for the day. Photo courtesy of Instagram / dexthemalamute.
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You'll still get your fair share of scenery on this hike, of course. Be sure to check out the overlook, where you'll get a view of the Meramec River. Photo courtesy of Instagram / hmschertz.
You'll still get your fair share of scenery on this hike, of course. Be sure to check out the overlook, where you'll get a view of the Meramec River. Photo courtesy of Instagram / hmschertz.
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Bell Mountain Belleview, MO 63623 Estimated drive time: 1 hour, 51 minutes. Directions here. Looking for a challenge? Head to Bell Mountain. At 1,698 feet, this 13-mile loop provides both an adventure and an incredible view. One thing to note: look out for mountain lions. You may hear locals tell stories about a mountain lion that was caught in a nearby county and released into the area in 2012. Photo courtesy of Instagram / magickmonk.
Bell Mountain
Belleview, MO 63623
Estimated drive time: 1 hour, 51 minutes. Directions here.

Looking for a challenge? Head to Bell Mountain. At 1,698 feet, this 13-mile loop provides both an adventure and an incredible view. One thing to note: look out for mountain lions. You may hear locals tell stories about a mountain lion that was caught in a nearby county and released into the area in 2012. Photo courtesy of Instagram / magickmonk.
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