Park Trails

Al Foster Trail

This gravel-based trail is on an abandoned railroad bed, meaning it is largely flat. The trail follows the river from the town of Glencoe off Highway 109 west through the Rock Hollow Unit of Castlewood through Sherman Beach County Park until dead ending at the Meramec River in the Cedar Bluff Unit. The first 3.5 miles of trail from Glencoe to Sherman is constructed of compacted rock, eight feet wide. The trail follows the original route of the Pacific Railroad constructed in 1854. The trail passes through the remains of an old gravel plant complete with sunken barge in the river, before skirting the bottom of the Palisade Bluffs. As the trail enters the Cedar Bluff Unit, the trail surface goes from gravel to dirt and the width narrows significantly, allowing for a wilder, more natural experience. Here the trail goes through forested bottomland until reaching the Meramec River and a junction with Stinging Nettle Trail. Return to the trailhead by retracing your steps back along the Al Foster Trail or return via Stinging Nettle Trail. To shorten or enhance your hike, white connectors 8, 9 and 10 are available. These are marked with white blazes.

Castlewood Loop

This loop is accessible via Chubb Trail. The trail passes through old farmland that is now in various states of succession. It also skirts along the edge of Lincoln Beach, a popular swimming hole and gathering place from 1915 to 1940. The entire length of the trail is in the floodplain so some sandy areas will be encountered near the river. The trail passes through field and forest and its seclusion from developed areas make it an excellent place for bird watching and wildlife viewing. 

Cedar Bluff Loop

This trail is isolated from any vehicular access and can only be reached from the Al Foster Trail through two early 20th century tunnels under the Union Pacific Railroad.  Just on the other side of the tracks, the trail splits, either direction may be taken.  Contrary to its name, the trail does not go along Cedar Bluff. On a clockwise path around, the trail passes through forest and meadows before climbing to the knob of a large hill, which is the highest point in the park. The trail then plunges back into the valley, crosses a creek and weaves up a ridge on the opposite side of the valley. The trail follows the ridge back down to the start of the loop. During the summer, look for two large blackberry brambles in the low creek wash between the two higher slopes in the back of the valley. 

Chubb Trail

This multi-use trail starts at Lone Elk County Park, goes through Castlewood State Park and ends up at West Tyson County Park on the south side of the Meramec River. The trail is rugged and hilly at each end, especially on the West Tyson side. Through the middle, it passes though flat, forested bottomland and a couple of restored prairie fields. 

Grotpeter Trail

This trail is popular due to the varied routes within the loop and the challenging terrain with numerous elevation changes. The perimeter loop is 3.75 miles long. In addition, five white connector trails, totaling 2.6 miles, are available to shorten or lengthen your experience. Each of these white connectors is marked with white blazes. The main perimeter trail starts at the trailhead parking lot and crosses a road bridge over Kiefer Creek. The trail follows Kiefer Creek before climbing up and over an adjacent hillside.   The trail winds up another hill to the top of a long ridge. The white connector trails can be used to bypass steep sections of the trail. After reaching the pinnacle, the perimeter trail continues and follows the crest of the ridge before starting a long downhill back into the Kiefer Creek valley to the trailhead. There are several road crossings, always stop and check for oncoming traffic before continuing.

Lone Wolf Trail

This trail parallels River Scene Trail as it climbs the steep old Ridge Road to the top of the bluffs. Take in a view of the river valley before breaking away from the bluffs as the trail separates from River Scene Trail. Lone Wolf Trail descends through shaded, fern-covered hillsides before depositing visitors into the Kiefer Creek valley below. Access the stream crossing in the valley that connects to the Grotpeter for an extended trek, or keep on Lone Wolf Trail as it follows the meanders of Kiefer Creek until returning to the trailhead. Lone Wolf Trail was named in honor of Castlewood’s most notorious roadhouse tavern/speakeasy of the resort era. Unfortunately, all that remains of the Lone Wolf Club today is a stone fire place and memories. 

River Scene Trail

This trail features the park’s most spectacular views. This trail is open to hiking and bicycling, although the bluff portion is hiking only. The first quarter mile wraps around a forested hillside and then turns sharply uphill toward the top of the bluffs. The trail follows the edge of the bluffs for about a mile past overlooks that provide stunning panoramic views of the Meramec River valley 200 feet below.

Along the way, you will pass many old foundations that serve as a reminder of the resort era during the 1920s and 1930s.  At the end of the bluff, a wood boardwalk descends into the river valley past the crumbling remains of the “Grand Staircase” to a tunnel under the Union Pacific railroad.  This area was the site of the Castlewood Railroad Depot and the steps provided access to the resort cabins on the bluffs. The trail passes through the tunnel and then turns left as it meets the Meramec River. 

The trail remains level as it follows the river over the next two miles, traveling through seasonally flooded woodlands and a large open field that was the past site of the hotel known as Lincoln Lodge. The lodge was across the river from Lincoln Beach, which was the prime gathering spot of fun-seekers during the resort era. After going back under the railroad tracks at the Kiefer Creek Road underpass, the trail then follows Kiefer Creek Road back to the trailhead. White Connector 7 is available to shorten or enhance your hike.

Stinging Nettle Trail

This trail follows the Meramec River east from the Sherman Beach County Park to a junction with Al Foster Trail in the Cedar Bluff Unit of Castlewood State Park. It’s up and down nature is the result of gravel dredging on the site prior to state acquisition of the land. The trail provides an exciting ride for bicyclists through the river bottomland. During warm weather the mosquitoes are plentiful so remember your insect repellant. You will appreciate the up close and personal views of the river. A return trip west is possible via the white connector trails that allow access to the Al Foster to create a loop of variable distance.