DNR
Home Page6/14/10 -- The river access area and portion of Stinging Nettle Trail are temporarily closed due to area flooding.
There is a concrete ramp located at the end of Kiefer Creek Road. The ramp leads to a sand bar and easy access to the Meramec River. No vehicles are allowed on the sand bar, only foot traffic. All water craft must be carried in and carried out. The access is ideal for small jon boats, canoes and kayaks. During times of normal water levels, it is approximately 100 feet from the base of the ramp to the water's edge. There are no launch fees. For current river conditions, call the park office at 636-227-4433.
For trailered boats, boat launching ramps are available at nearby Route 66 State Park near Eureka off of I-44 and at Green Tree Park in Kirkwood off of Marshall Road.
Parking locations have been designed and defined to control and manage traffic flow in the day-use area. These parking areas will help keep our visitors safe and ensure that response vehicles can access the area in case of an emergency.
- Park only in designated areas.
- Do not park along the road or in the grass.
- If parking areas are full, use overflow parking areas
There are several miles of river frontage throughout the park. The river can be reached via the concrete ramp at the river access and at numerous spots along the River Scene, Stinging Nettle and Al Foster trails. There are a number of deep holes, shallow ripples, under cut banks, logjams, root wads and rocky areas that provide cover for the fish.
Fish common to the lower Meramec River include channel catfish, flathead catfish, carp, drum, gar, walleye, crappie, bluegill, longear sunfish and bass. All statewide regulations and license requirements apply. Special limits have been set for spotted bass in the lower Meramec; please check Missouri Wildlife Code for all applicable rules.
Castlewood State Park offers two picnic shelters. Shelter 1 can comfortably seat 100 people; Shelter 2 seats 70 people. Each shelter has a 4 foot by 4 foot barbecue grill, water fountain, restroom and play space for volleyball, soccer, softball or other group activities. A volleyball net is provided but you will need to bring your own recreational equipment. The shelters can be reserved for the day for a fee of $60 or half-day (available Monday-Friday only) for $40. If not reserved, the shelters are available at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are handled through staff at Route 66 State Park. If you need a place for a family or company picnic, please call the Route 66 State Park office at 636-938-7198 to make a reservation.
There are 50 picnic sites available on a first-come, first-served basis scattered throughout the park. Each site consists of a picnic table and grill. Sites are available at the main picnic area near the Meramec River, along Kiefer Creek, near the playground and at all trail heads.
Equestrian picnic sites are available at the horse trailer parking area. Equestrian sites have a picnic table, grill and hitching post.
There is a playground located in the middle of the field between the two picnic shelters.
