Great hiking and bike riding location. Lots of trees and near Katy trail! Love this place!read more

(AUGUST 2025) I'd never seen the sunflower fields that my friends post about with their children…read moreand families until recently. It almost seemed unbelievable some of the imagery stemming from these 7,000 acres of natural beauty and outdoor recreation in the heart of scenic Missouri wine county. Once you are off highway 40, it's 50-55mph WINE-dy back roads to get there. Once you get into the turn in, it's a graveled road with a trailhead to the Katy Trail. Do not even think about having a clean car upon entering this place. It will get dirty and dusty. There are also (surprisingly) random humans running in the middle of the narrow driveway leading up to the sunflower field and ending at a boat ramp. I never understood why people never stick to one side of the road while on foot amongst VEHICLES. I find my friend and we exit our vehicles to begin our mini photoshoot in the sunflower fields. I felt like Candy(wo)man as the bees tended to the sunflowers while I freaked out thinking they'd sting me with my bright yellow shirt on and black skirt. It was so blissful to see sooo many beautiful BIG butterflies fly around us. The caterpillars were on like every leaf just hanging out like the Caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland. It was nature at its finest. Sunflowers for as far as the eye can see. The sounds of bees (and flies) buzzing about. I tried to relax, and we got a few non-frantic pictures of me. I will wear pants next time and try to relax more. I was invading THEIR space, not the opposite.

We hiked 3 miles at the Matson Hill Park near Defiance/Augusta off 94. Within the fist 5 minutes,…read moreif you head counterclockwise, you'll come across a sinkhole on the right side of the path. There are several small stream crossings, but plenty of rock bridges to keep your feet dry. We were impressed that the trail was clear of rots/rocks/overgrowth. Makes sense that the trail was also intended for bikers. The trail was built by mountain bikes for mountain bikers, but the day we visited, there was a sign at the trailhead that said "hikers only." There was so much shade on this trail. Perfect for a hot summer day. The trail has a few loops depending on if you want to hike the smallest 1ish mile trail, the 3 mile hike on the Matson Hill Loop, or the 2 add-on trails: 3 miles Hays Trail and the 2 mile Oxen Mill Trail. The maps at the trailhead and throughout the trail indicate the historic 1830s stone homes on the property were closed to visitors. Checking out the St. Charles County website now, the Hays and Boone family homes are open to the public again after a renovation in 2020! We almost hit a deer on the side road after getting off 94. Just keep your eyes peeled and your speed appropriate on the curving roads.

If you want terrific trail cycling or hiking, this is the premier spot in the St. Charles County…read morepark system. The large park covers 475 acres--most of it natural, rugged, and forested. Trails include more than six miles of natural surface paths that wind and curve and roll across the landscape. Besides the trails a key feature is the 1830s stone home of a Daniel Boone's grandson, Daniel Boone Hays. The home/museum contains exhibits about the Boone and Hays families.

This Saturday was my first time hiking at this trail. I hiked with a group and we did almost 9…read moremiles. There were lots of leaves and it was somewhat slippery from the rain that we had all week long. The hike has a few challenging parts due to the leaves covering the pathway, which make the hike even more challenging. It was a great hike, the longest hike for me so far. I would definitely come back here again, however definitely need to have a map or some type of app on the phone because it is easy to get off trail. There was hardly any phone reception here.

We wanted an interesting, shaded, dog-friendly hike on a hot sunny day. This park was a great…read morechoice. Plenty of free parking in their lots and lots of space, including a picnic area. For hiking, there are elevation changes and lots of trees. You can hike up the bluffs or just do a short down-and-around in the valley. Trails are well marked. Watch out for snakes on the rocks!

This is a beautiful, convenient park right off 44. It can be a little confusing to get there from…read morethe city, but it's the same exit as Laumeier Sculpture Park. There's an easy to get to parking lot which is next to the restrooms, tables, and the river. We have a senior dog who loves the water so it was perfect since the river was so close, we didn't have to go on a long hike to get him down there. The park is green and seems huge. It's not the prettiest park in the area, but definitely convenient.

Grants Trail is a super cute place to take a walk!! It's pristine, beautiful and smoothly paved…read more(for bikers). If you're a biker, just be careful crossing Big Bend. I've almost ran over bikers driving on that road because they crossed when I had a green. Same goes with the drivers, slow TF down.

I really enjoy going to Grants Trail. It's really close to my house and a great spot to run, walk,…read moreor bike. It's 10 miles long, and depending where you start, it will take you by awesome spots. My favorite is going by Grants Farm (especially in the fall), and if you're lucky you can see the Clydesdales. I've always felt safe and definitely appreciate having it in the county. The only draw back is having to wait for walk signs at busy intersections which can be a bummer on a run, but it's not a deal breaker with the value it adds to our community!

I recently purchased a mountain bike and took it to Lost Valley for my first ride on it…read more I went with 2 seasoned mountain bikers and had a blast. There was a good amount of people on the trail and they were all really nice and respected the other people out on the trail. Lots of really nice single track and some double on your way in and out of the park. I wrecked twice just starting into the first 2 switchbacks but I had no idea what I was getting into. Overall best trail I have been on, but I guess that makes sense because its the only one I have been on.

Good trail, it says on the entrance sign "hiking and biking" trail, but no matter you enter this…read moretrail a which type, you got to be careful of the other species bikers or hikers. This makes it more fun and adventurous any how. The topology of the trail path is "8" with three possible loops. The longest is 10 miles. It goes up all the way to the top hills and may get a little tough for kids and seniors there, but not impossible and all doable. Don't forget your OFF spray! Lots of mosquitoes inhabitants on your way at Lost Valley trail!

The features of this 90-acre park are its 3-mile hiking/biking trail and 15-acre fishing lake that…read moreborder Dardenne Creek. There's also a soccer/lacrosse field. Much of the greenway, however, has been left in a natural state with a restored wetland and native prairie.

Such a cute park for a walk. One drawback would be the amount of mosquitoes i encountered. There…read morewere some parts shaded and some part not. Overall a relaxing place. There were several small playgrounds for the kids as well.

Decent park for walking, running and biking. Sometimes part is washed out or some debris around…read morefrom flooding but most of the time it is good. Can cover a couple of miles easily and the area is very flat and easy to walk. Some nice playgrounds and river views as well. Usually a good crowd in the evening so no worries about going it alone if needed.