The 6 Best Nature & Wildlife Areas in Saint Louis, Missouri (MO)

October 5, 2021 Phylicia Berquist

The history of St. Louis has been heavily influenced by Westward expansion and blues music. The big "must-see" in this region is the Gateway Arch, while other important sites include the Museum of Westward Expansion, the St. Louis Cathedral and the Anheuser-Busch factory tour. The city offers plenty for the whole family. Children will enjoy the local zoo and the Magic House, while family members will also want to unwind at Forest Park, home to the World's Fair almost a century ago.
Restaurants in Saint Louis

1. Bee tree park

2701 Finestown Rd, Saint Louis, MO 63129-5816 http://www.stlouisco.com/ParksandRecreation/ParkPages/BeeTree
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 6 reviews

Bee tree park

2. Sioux Passage Park

17930 Old Jamestown Rd, Saint Louis, MO 63034-1329 +1 314-615-4386 http://www.stlouisco.com/ParksandRecreation/ParkPages/SiouxPassage
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Sioux Passage Park

3. Cliff Cave County Park

806 Cliff Cave Road, Saint Louis, MO 63129 +1 314-615-4386 http://www.stlouisco.com/ParksandRecreation/ParkPages/CliffCave
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5 reviews

Cliff Cave County Park

Reviewed By ellenkay - Saint Louis, United States

Very nice trails some paved and wide, others wooded. Not too crowded on a weekday. We have been exploring area parks and this may be a new favorite. Lovely river views. Didn't get to cave this time.

4. Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

11715 Cragwold Rd, Kirkwood, Saint Louis, MO 63122-7000 +1 314-301-1500 http://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/powder-valley-cnc
Excellent
70%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 134 reviews

Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

Reviewed By baseballover - Florissant, United States

Whether you are visiting St. Louis, live here, or maybe especially if you need a break from a road trip, go to Powder Valley Nature Center! It's right near where Highway 270 and 44 come together in Southwest St. Louis County, and it is a great place to stretch your legs and let the kids have some fun. While it IS a great place for kids, especially the nature center (where they can hear, see and touch things), adults can get something out of it, too. I really enjoyed seeing some of live Missouri native fish, and getting up close and personal, through the glass, with some snapping turtles. Quite handsome devils! They have several trails, the longest being 1-1/5 miles, and all of the trails are paved. Hickory Ridge Trail, the longest, is paved but not handicapped accessible, I suppose because it is very steep in places and has occasional uneven pavement. These woods are right next to Highway 270 and 44, so it was a bit strange to be in the middle of nature and hear the roar of the highway, but it is a great place to be IN nature and also be close to civilization. Parking is right near all the trailheads, and there are restrooms in the nature center, and in the little building next to it. The nature center building is open every day but Sunday and Monday, 8 to 5, and the grounds are open every day from 8 to 8 (the brochure says 8 to 6 during daylight savings). All of the volunteers that I talked to were very helpful and knowledgeable, and were even able to tell me about the Emmenegger Nature Park across the highway, which is also part of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

5. LaBarque Creek Conservation Area

Valley Drive South, Saint Louis, MO 63015 +1 636-441-4554 http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places-go/natural-areas/labarque-creek
Excellent
0%
Good
100%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 2 reviews

LaBarque Creek Conservation Area

6. Columbia Bottom Conservation Area

801 Strodtman Rd, Saint Louis, MO 63138-3838 +1 314-877-6014 http://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/columbia-bottom-ca
Excellent
25%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 8 reviews

Columbia Bottom Conservation Area

Reviewed By cymopterus - Salt Lake City, United States

The confluence of two major rivers of the United States - What could be better! Well worth a visit. The park, trails, and roads have not been repaired since the last major flood so getting there takes a little effort. Several roads are still washed out, so you have to follow the gravel road with signs to the "boat ramp" to get to the the parking lot. Park in Parking Lot L as the road to the confluence parking area beyond this point is closed. You then have to hike about 0.9 miles to the confluence. The rest rooms and picnic area at confluence parking area are half buried in sediment. The trail is overgrown and the viewing area is in disrepair, but it is all part of the adventure.

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