Route 66 State Park near Eureka, MO is a quirky recreational area with a storied history. The park is not exceptionally scenic, is a little tricky to access, and occasionally a bit crowded. However it has still earned a spot in my regular outdoor routine. If you are looking for a spot near St. Louis…
I’m really not much of fan of cold weather. The short days, dull colors, and harsh conditions just are not for me. However, I have no choice but to embrace these days as my job and most of my hobbies take place outdoors. Winter hiking has become an essential activity in my mental wellness toolkit….
Cuivre River State Park near Tory, MO has some fantastic trails and offers exceptional recreational opportunities. No visit to the park would be complete without at least spending a few minutes on top of Frenchman’s Bluff. The 120’ high limestone bluff towers above the Cuivre River valley and provides excellent viewing in all seasons. Trailhead…
Somehow even with all the time spent exploring the area, I had never visited Hughes Mountain Natural Area near Caledonia, MO. The 462 acre area is covered mainly in oak/hickory forests with a few glade areas at the summit. Sounds pretty typical, right? Far from it. These rhyolite glades formed from lava 1.5 billion years…
Millstream Gardens Conservation Area near Fredericktown, MO provides spectacular access to the Tiemann Shut-Ins of the St. Francis River. The hike between Millstream Gardens and Silver Lake Recreation Area will make you think that you are hiking along a river in Colorado. I chose to tackle this approximately 6 mile hike on a sunny fall…
The Castor River Shut-Ins at Amidon Memorial Conservation area near Fredericktown, MO are simply stunning. The clear water rushing past billion year old boulders forming a series of waterfalls and deep pools is enough to draw you in. Pair this mesmerizing water feature with the pine/oak forest blushing with fall colors and you have a…
A unique park Lone Elk Park is operated by St. Louis County Parks and is located near Highway 141 and Interstate 44 in Valley Park. The park offers a close-up glimpse of elk in their natural habitat. Visitors can also expect to see deer, bison, wild turkey, waterfowl, and raccoons and other wildlife. The elk…
Shaw Nature Reserve is an absolute gem and a must-see for Missouri hikers. The 2400 acre reserve located near Gray Summit is operated by the Missouri Botanical Garden. The mission at Shaw Nature Reserve is all about preserving the natural area and habitat and educating its visitors. On top of all that, it is just…
We have all seen photos of Alley Mill, the bright red wooden structure next to the bright blue waters of Alley Spring. They say it is one of the most photographed sites in the MO-Outdoors. I have no way of telling if that part is true, but it is an absolutely beautiful spot and worth…
We have been to Echo Bluff State Park several times, and somehow we have never hiked any of the trails. So early Saturday morning before the heat of the day took over we decided to get a taste and walk the 2 mile loop of the Painter Ridge Trail. Billy, Katie, Ben and I set…
