Winter hiking in the St. Louis Area

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. While usually shorter and closer to home, these cold weather adventures are certainly rewarding. Winter hiking in the St. Louis area may be as simple as a lunch time walk through a county park or as messy as a muddy hike along a nearby conservation area or state park. Just give it a try and keep it in mind next year when the winter blues are beating you up. I know spring is finally here, but thought I would share my photos and thoughts from the past few months while they are still fresh.

Trail marker sign in wintry woods — Dogwood Trail at Forest 44 Conservation Area

Municipal Parks

We are blessed with a great city and county park system in St. Louis. Many offer paved as well as off-road trails. I generally find that these parks are well maintained, safe, and offer options for many fitness levels. Here is a list of my personal favorites for winter hiking:

Tower Grove Park – Beautiful, mature trees fill this park and so do the birds.
Cliff Cave Park – The new trail system offers multiple options paved and unpaved with some fantastic views of the Mississippi River valley.
Lone Elk Park – The auto route is a given on the coldest of days, but don’t forget the hiking trails in the park. Winter gives the best views for sure.
Queeny Park – Many nice paved options including some good hills. I prefer this park in the winter as the trails are not crowded.
Creve Coeur Park – the flat loop around the lake and Mallard Lake offer some good winter time bird watching and some tall, mature trees.

Beautiful sky over Mississippi River valley at Cliff Cave Park

Conservation Areas and State Parks

The St. Louis area also has some very accessible conservation areas and state parks for winter hiking. These areas receive a pretty high amount of traffic, but are family friendly and provide a taste of the wilder side. Often these areas, since they are close to an urban area, are full of invasive honeysuckle which reduce visibility in warmer months. Some do offer limited deer hunting during managed hunts so be aware of closings, but otherwise are open for business. Again, here is a list of my favorites:

Powder Valley Nature Center – Three short trails, including some partially paved options, and a beautiful nature center with bird feeding stations makes this a winner.
Forest 44 Conservation Area – Williams Creek creates some great scenery and a variety of trails throughout give provides plenty of room to wander.
Don Robinson State Park – Some of the best hiking trails around. This place has become a bit too popular, so the colder days of winter make it more enjoyable.
Route 66 State Park – Easy, flat trails along the Meramec River.
Castlewood State Park and surrounding area – Miles and miles of trails along the Meramec River basin offer something for every hiker.

Picnic table found in woods at overlook during winter hike — Group hike along spring at Rockwoods Reservation

Sunset reflecting through trees on small pond — Group hike along spring at Rockwoods Reservation

Neighborhood Parks

Don’t forget the neighborhood park when seeking a winter hiking escape. My work as an arborist leads me all over the St. Louis area. If I find myself free at lunchtime for a quick walk, I do my best to make it happen. I have found many of these small parks offer great opportunities as well, and even a brief walk does wonders for a homebound soul. A few that I have tried in recent months:

Wild Acres Park in Overland – Short trail around a lake and mature oak savannah.
Central Park in Chesterfield – 1 mile loop around a scenic lake. Also nice heated bathrooms by the playground, just saying.
Bangert Island in St. Charles– Gravel trail along the Missouri River in the land of giant cottonwoods, sycamores, and maples.
Conway Park in Creve Coeur – Easy paved trail through the park and around a pond.
Claire Gempp Davidson Conservation Area in Sunset Hills – Quiet little mulch trail through the woods and around a small pond.

Bare cottonwoods on foggy winter day with snow on the ground

Icicles from limestone rock on winter hike

Looking back at some of the photos brings back memories of some great days spent outside in the MO-Outdoors, even if winter is not my favorite season. Winter hiking proved to be just the medicine needed to push through another year. Now onto spring wildflowers and greenery, a great season in Missouri. Thanks for reading.