Park Trails

Bluff View Trail

This moderately difficult, natural surface trail also can be accessed at the trail shelter on River Trail. This popular trail provides superb views from the edge of two bluffs along the Meramec River. Between the bluffs, the trail descends to the bank of the river. An octagonal stone trail shelter is located on the southern bluff, where the picnic area trailhead joins the main trail.

Deer Hollow Trail

This trail goes from the dining lodge to Fisher Cave. It was one of the first trails to be built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the early 1930s. True to its name, this trail traverses an area of the park where deer are commonly seen. The entire trail is surrounded by mature forest. Dogwood trees bloom in abundance along this trail in late April and fall color is ablaze by early October.

Hamilton Iron Works Trail

Interpretative stations are located along this trail. The trail goes by the historic remains of a once bustling blast furnace that operated around the clock, seven days a week. Wildflowers adorn the forest floor in the spring, but the best time to see the historic aspect is in the late fall and winter when leaves have fallen.

River Trail

Part of this natural surface trail winds along a slough of the Meramec River, where herons frequently feed and kingfishers often nest. In late April, bluebells bloom in profusion along much of this trail. At its mid-point, the trail passes a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) shelter where hikers can gain access to the scenic Bluff View Trail via white connector 1. River Trail is the easiest trail in the park to hike.

Natural Wonders Trail

Caves, glades, mature forest, a spring-fed creek and old beaver meadows are a few of the reasons there is always something exciting to discover along this trail, which winds through part of the Meramec Mosaic Natural Area. Few trails this length have as much diversity of plant and animal life. It was built in 1989 by park staff to compliment the newly constructed visitor center nearby. Birds like the ovenbird and woodthrush dwell along the trail from mid-spring through late summer. A cool refreshing step into Elm Spring Creek may cause flashes of color by many fish. In late fall, deer rubs can be seen on small saplings along with frost flowers bursting from stalks in an old beaver meadow. Before or after your hike, be sure to see the exhibits and the park slide show in the visitor center next to the trailhead.

Walking Fern Trail

This trail’s namesake is a large boulder, located near the midpoint, that is covered with walking ferns. Although the trail is one of the shortest in the park, it is also one of the most interesting. The lower part of the trail clings to the base of several bluffs, one of which contains the intriguing entrance to Indian Cave. The forest along this portion of the trail is lush, while the upper half contains a diversity of plants adapted to dry rocky soils, largely due to the trail’s sharp change in elevation. Here the trail may have steep slopes along its side.

Wilderness Trail

This trail gives you an opportunity to experience great geological and natural features. It  has a rich history of construction starting with sections built by the Civilian Conservation Corps for horse trails in the early 1930s, to Scouts from St. Louis area in the 1970s, to the Ozark Trail volunteers and finally to the state parks trail crew in 1996. The trail is a natural surface of moderate difficulty, but due to its length should not be attempted by beginning hikers unless accompanied by someone more experienced. To shorten your hike time, you can use the .70-mile white connector 2.

Eight backpacking camps are provided along the way. Each camp has a connecting spur off of the main trail. They are primitive and contain only a fire grill and a cleared area for several tents. They are first come, first serve with a maximum of 14 people. Overnight backpackers must register at the registration box 200 yards from the trailhead. On rare occasions, the trailhead parking lot is subject to flooding by the Meramec River and may require towing of a backpacker’s vehicle at the owner’s expense. 

The north section of this trail meanders through the heart of the Meramec Upland Forest Natural Area, which is the most rugged and remote area of the park. Forests here and in other areas are rich and majestic with tall, dense and diverse forest and cherty woodlands. Views of the river can be seen from a high vantage point, especially after the leaves have dropped. Woodlands with rocky glades will appear on sun drenched slopes and at the peaks of ridge tops.