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I mean. You can never go wrong when you visit this place. You think there's nothing more to life? Come here. You can think clearly up here just looking at that view. I had visited 5/18 with a few girlfriends. It had rained a day prior so there definitely were some muddy patches. We also encountered a black snake (too scared to take a picture- I ran away), a dead baby snake, a ton of cicada shells, spider webs in the way of our path, and some bees. We went around 11am and though the high was 84, it wasn't so bad since most of the trail is in the woods. I hadn't been here in a while but it seemed shorter than I remember. If you're looking for an hour-ish long hike, swing on by.
Nice views - would probably be prettier in the Spring or Fall when leaves are back! We hiked part of the Riverscene trail last weekend. Bits of the path were covered in debris from recent storms / walled off. Went on a Saturday afternoon. Lots of families hiking and also lots of bikers but not crowded.
Wear your hiking boots because this is a real hike. Lots of elevation climbing to the bluff. Very rocky so be careful and don't trip and fall in the rocks. That was painful. Some flat areas but not many. The stairs going down to the river are interesting. You can still see the steps to the right from when it was a recreation area in the 1930's. Very cool. As we got down to the bottom of the steps, there was one area where the stair treads were missing. Then around the corner I had to jump off a small ledge. The path along the river was seriously eroded enough to make us turn around because I didn't want to fall down into the river. All that rain really did some damage. Beautiful views!
I have been hiking here for several years. This place never disappoints. I love seeing the trees and the river during many different seasons. The hike is relaxing. There are several hiking paths. Each path vary in miles. The river scene trail has a nice view of the river. This hike is considered to be of moderate intensity. There are several parking lots. The parking lot can get somewhat full in the summer weekend peak hours. I tend to come here early to find good parking spot in the summer time. For wintertime, there are quite a lot of empty parking spaces.
Super fun. Lots of trails and great places to explore. Rangers station up front with a bunch of trails off to the left and right. Farther in the park there are tons of open spaces for games, playgrounds, tables, bathrooms, and plenty of parking. Towards the right of the playground is a great trail to see up above the tree line and over the cliff!! Great spot for couples/picture taking!!
My 8 year old son and I did the lone wolf trail on a nice weekend and had a blast! There a plenty of great vistas and the hike was challenging for him, but not too bad. I've done trail runs, here too and it's always been fun. The trails are well maintained and dog/bike friendly.
Hands down the most magical place in STL. Fall is so beautiful in STL, especially in our local parks. Castlewood Park is a hidden gem to some and one of my favorite places to visit! It's free admittance, a 30 min drive west of the city, and has all different trails to keep you coming back. My favorite trail is the Riverscene Trail! It's around a 2.5 hour hike and takes you to the top of the hill then back down by the river so you experience several different landscapes.
I can't believe this was my first time coming here. This place is gorgeous! My husband and I enjoy walking at the trails at Queeny and decided to come here for a change. He has been here before and knew his way around. There are different trails for different abilities. We apparently chose a more challenging trail. I don't recall the name, but the trail had red markers. The trail we were on included the wood staircase that is definitely a challenge. Mercifully, there are landings that have gorgeous views and historical information about the park. Along the top of the ridge there are several benches that also provide a spot to rest and enjoy the spectacular view. It was a gorgeous day. Plenty of parking. There were some others there enjoying the park as well, but the trail was not crowded by any means. Our Vizsla Lola decided to take an impromptu jump in the river while our 12 y/o Penny sniffed around on the beach. I felt really safe at this park. Not just because I was with my husband, but the trail has markers indicating your location and I always had cell service. This is a great park to go and enjoy a new and challenging walk and take in the views. It felt like a mini-getaway!
Good signage and beautiful! Such a great place to visit in the fall. Easy parking and easy to find and get to.
This park holds a special place in my heart. Even though I grew up here, I did not know about this place until el ADMV told me about it. I went the very next day and having been frequenting it ever since. The park is huge. As many times as I've gone I still haven't covered all of the territory. There are many trails but the majority of the traffic tends to stick to the Lone Wolf Trail, which is rated with a moderate difficulty level by the All Trails hiking app. I like this trail as it fluctuates from moderate, to easy, to WTF along the journey. One way is about 1.5 miles. I always double back to make it 3 miles. Also, you can hit those infamous, seemingly infinite stairs on this trail. I go down first then hit them going up on the way back. It's a total boost (or faint) to your workout! There are some plateaus with beautiful views on this trail. I love doing my Qixong and meditation as the sun rises above the treetops. It's so peaceful and calm. The park is pet friendly, just please, for goodness sake, pick up after your pooch! There's a section with a separate trail for mountain bikes, which is nice. And since the bikes can't (or shouldn't) to the steps, that area is always biker free too. If you're gonna hike/run the Lone Wolf Trail wear trail running shoes. I found hiking boots were too stiff and regular running/tennis shoes did not traction well. There are some serious rocks on this trail, so the tread on trail shoes is what will save you from tumbleweeding down and off a cliff. LBVS There seems to be lots of picnic areas around the park and I think I saw a playground too. There are Pokestops, for those of us true trainers who still play. And while the hiking trail doesn't lead directly to the river, there are several others that do. Castlewood is my number one spot for hiking in the area. I do not compare it to hiking in AZ, OR, or CO, because SW and NW pacific hiking are in leagues of their own. It's free, it's clean, it's nature's gym, and I always get an amazing workout.
I was a bit homesick for fall in Upstate NY so my partner brought me here for a lovely hike. Easy parking, clearly marked trails, and not too busy. Dogs are allowed on leash. While the trails were well marked, they are very rocky and have quite a few loose stones to fumble on.
Great park for a trail walk, but be prepared for parts of some of the trails to be pretty rough. If you go up the side of the mountain where the steps are they're some sharp rocks and tricky footing at times, so just beware.
It's been a minute since I've visited this park. We're talking childhood. As a child I probably only cared about the playground and playing wiffle ball, playing catch, etc. I don't remember going on any of the trails as a kid. Well, I finally went on a trail here. I chose the Riverscene Trail, which is probably the most popular trail in the park. The amazing views are the obvious reason why. It's a loop trail about 3 1/2 miles long. The trail is well marked, and well worn. There are a few difficult areas of the trail for both hiking and mountain bike riding. As you climb, there are some rough rocky areas in the more steep sections. For those riding, you will find some tough areas where tree roots are difficult to maneuver around, as well as some large ruts. Once you reach the top of the climb there are several places to stop along the route to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the river valley below. A nice staircase then leads down to a path that follows closely beside the river. Bikers have an alternate trail down at this point. It had rained the day before my visit so there were a few muddy spots in the valley. One in particular was difficult to maneuver around without getting a little muddy. There is some construction going on in this muddy area as they are adding a paved portion of the trail here. Hopefully once finished, this section will be easier to pass through, and keep your shoes a little cleaner. I enjoyed my afternoon here and would like to come back in the fall to check out the fall foliage.
I mean. You can never go wrong when you visit this place. You think there's nothing more to life? Come here. You can think clearly up here just looking at that view. I had visited 5/18 with a few girlfriends. It had rained a day prior so there definitely were some muddy patches. We also encountered a black snake (too scared to take a picture- I ran away), a dead baby snake, a ton of cicada shells, spider webs in the way of our path, and some bees. We went around 11am and though the high was 84, it wasn't so bad since most of the trail is in the woods. I hadn't been here in a while but it seemed shorter than I remember. If you're looking for an hour-ish long hike, swing on by. read more
Nice views - would probably be prettier in the Spring or Fall when leaves are back! We hiked part of the Riverscene trail last weekend. Bits of the path were covered in debris from recent storms / walled off. Went on a Saturday afternoon. Lots of families hiking and also lots of bikers but not crowded. read more
2 years ago
Wear your hiking boots because this is a real hike. Lots of elevation climbing to the bluff. Very rocky so be careful and don't trip and fall in the rocks. That was painful. Some flat areas but not many. The stairs going down to the river are interesting. You can still see the steps to the right from when it was a recreation area in the 1930's. Very cool. As we got down to the bottom of the steps, there was one area where the stair treads were missing. Then around the corner I had to jump off a small ledge. The path along the river was seriously eroded enough to make us turn around because I didn't want to fall down into the river. All that rain really did some damage. Beautiful views! read more
I have been hiking here for several years. This place never disappoints. I love seeing the trees and the river during many different seasons. The hike is relaxing. There are several hiking paths. Each path vary in miles. The river scene trail has a nice view of the river. This hike is considered to be of moderate intensity. There are several parking lots. The parking lot can get somewhat full in the summer weekend peak hours. I tend to come here early to find good parking spot in the summer time. For wintertime, there are quite a lot of empty parking spaces. read more
2 years ago
Super fun. Lots of trails and great places to explore. Rangers station up front with a bunch of trails off to the left and right. Farther in the park there are tons of open spaces for games, playgrounds, tables, bathrooms, and plenty of parking. Towards the right of the playground is a great trail to see up above the tree line and over the cliff!! Great spot for couples/picture taking!! read more
My 8 year old son and I did the lone wolf trail on a nice weekend and had a blast! There a plenty of great vistas and the hike was challenging for him, but not too bad. I've done trail runs, here too and it's always been fun. The trails are well maintained and dog/bike friendly. read more
4 years ago
Hands down the most magical place in STL. Fall is so beautiful in STL, especially in our local parks. Castlewood Park is a hidden gem to some and one of my favorite places to visit! It's free admittance, a 30 min drive west of the city, and has all different trails to keep you coming back. My favorite trail is the Riverscene Trail! It's around a 2.5 hour hike and takes you to the top of the hill then back down by the river so you experience several different landscapes. read more
I can't believe this was my first time coming here. This place is gorgeous! My husband and I enjoy walking at the trails at Queeny and decided to come here for a change. He has been here before and knew his way around. There are different trails for different abilities. We apparently chose a more challenging trail. I don't recall the name, but the trail had red markers. The trail we were on included the wood staircase that is definitely a challenge. Mercifully, there are landings that have gorgeous views and historical information about the park. Along the top of the ridge there are several benches that also provide a spot to rest and enjoy the spectacular view. It was a gorgeous day. Plenty of parking. There were some others there enjoying the park as well, but the trail was not crowded by any means. Our Vizsla Lola decided to take an impromptu jump in the river while our 12 y/o Penny sniffed around on the beach. I felt really safe at this park. Not just because I was with my husband, but the trail has markers indicating your location and I always had cell service. This is a great park to go and enjoy a new and challenging walk and take in the views. It felt like a mini-getaway! read more
This park holds a special place in my heart. Even though I grew up here, I did not know about this place until el ADMV told me about it. I went the very next day and having been frequenting it ever since. The park is huge. As many times as I've gone I still haven't covered all of the territory. There are many trails but the majority of the traffic tends to stick to the Lone Wolf Trail, which is rated with a moderate difficulty level by the All Trails hiking app. I like this trail as it fluctuates from moderate, to easy, to WTF along the journey. One way is about 1.5 miles. I always double back to make it 3 miles. Also, you can hit those infamous, seemingly infinite stairs on this trail. I go down first then hit them going up on the way back. It's a total boost (or faint) to your workout! There are some plateaus with beautiful views on this trail. I love doing my Qixong and meditation as the sun rises above the treetops. It's so peaceful and calm. The park is pet friendly, just please, for goodness sake, pick up after your pooch! There's a section with a separate trail for mountain bikes, which is nice. And since the bikes can't (or shouldn't) to the steps, that area is always biker free too. If you're gonna hike/run the Lone Wolf Trail wear trail running shoes. I found hiking boots were too stiff and regular running/tennis shoes did not traction well. There are some serious rocks on this trail, so the tread on trail shoes is what will save you from tumbleweeding down and off a cliff. LBVS There seems to be lots of picnic areas around the park and I think I saw a playground too. There are Pokestops, for those of us true trainers who still play. And while the hiking trail doesn't lead directly to the river, there are several others that do. Castlewood is my number one spot for hiking in the area. I do not compare it to hiking in AZ, OR, or CO, because SW and NW pacific hiking are in leagues of their own. It's free, it's clean, it's nature's gym, and I always get an amazing workout. read more
I was a bit homesick for fall in Upstate NY so my partner brought me here for a lovely hike. Easy parking, clearly marked trails, and not too busy. Dogs are allowed on leash. While the trails were well marked, they are very rocky and have quite a few loose stones to fumble on. read more
Great park for a trail walk, but be prepared for parts of some of the trails to be pretty rough. If you go up the side of the mountain where the steps are they're some sharp rocks and tricky footing at times, so just beware. read more
It's been a minute since I've visited this park. We're talking childhood. As a child I probably only cared about the playground and playing wiffle ball, playing catch, etc. I don't remember going on any of the trails as a kid. Well, I finally went on a trail here. I chose the Riverscene Trail, which is probably the most popular trail in the park. The amazing views are the obvious reason why. It's a loop trail about 3 1/2 miles long. The trail is well marked, and well worn. There are a few difficult areas of the trail for both hiking and mountain bike riding. As you climb, there are some rough rocky areas in the more steep sections. For those riding, you will find some tough areas where tree roots are difficult to maneuver around, as well as some large ruts. Once you reach the top of the climb there are several places to stop along the route to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the river valley below. A nice staircase then leads down to a path that follows closely beside the river. Bikers have an alternate trail down at this point. It had rained the day before my visit so there were a few muddy spots in the valley. One in particular was difficult to maneuver around without getting a little muddy. There is some construction going on in this muddy area as they are adding a paved portion of the trail here. Hopefully once finished, this section will be easier to pass through, and keep your shoes a little cleaner. I enjoyed my afternoon here and would like to come back in the fall to check out the fall foliage. read more
Wow this place gets busy on the weekends! We have driven out and visited about 4 times. I personally love how the parks water levels ebb and flow. Sometimes it's flooded and sometimes you just need good boots not to get wet. This park has solid trails (there are parts that don't flood) and a bunch of pavilions. It is a beautiful space and clearly well cared for. The roads can get curvy and slim so drive careful. Why three stars? Locked bathrooms everywhere even when the park is crawling with visitors. I got pretty annoyed when by the second locked bathroom we drove to the park office to use one and a sign on the door told us to go to a trail head. That felt unkind and stupid. Why on earth would you lock up bathrooms during peak mushroom hunting season? It's pretty obvious the park is bustling. Also there's plenty of ticks and mosquitoes when exploring so wear bug spray, tuck your pants into your socks and do a tick check after getting home! read more
4 years ago
My paradise. Amazing trails. I combine them together to go from short hikes with the dogs and kids to 10+ mile training. Keep it clean mountain bikes have right of way. Watch for deer read more
5 years ago
This place gives me those "first date" vibes. No, really. I'm crushin' hard. It's hilly, windy, and a good mix of difficulties balanced with views and woods. I just moved to STC and am an avid hiker/runner/explorer. This place came strongly recommended and I see why. It reminded me so much of Colorado hikes from my sabbatical there. Lone Wolf Trail starts you off with the incline and takes you to scenic spots. I had a lot of alone time sprinkled with just the right amount of hikers to pass by and let me know I'm not alone if I get lost or hurt. My pup and I have already made it a weekly routine. read more
6 years ago
4 years ago
One thing I love is that the path is very clear and it's hard to get lost. Another positive is the view from the top! What I hate is that it gets extremely crowded, especially on weekends. I have gone a few times when it was so crowded that there was no parking available in any of the lots, so I had to find a different park to hike at. I'd recommend going when it's least likely to be busy. read more
This is my favorite spot to hike in saint louis. This is the only place that would satisfies me. There is a beautiful river that runs through this park. During the winter, the river is clearer and emerald. This is the opposite during warmer months when the river is not clear and is brownish green. This place has it all --- for all age ground. 1. Clean restroom with toilet papers. It is well maintained! 2. Parking is decent. There are a lot of small parking lot throughout the entrance. If a lot is full, I recommend driving through the road to the next lot. Most people are not aware of this. 3. The hike is good for your glute, and it's a nice workout. This part of the hike only applies to the high slope to the hill next to the small parking lot. 4. There are several resting points throughout the hiking trail on the hill. There should be a bench. If not, there is a flat surface ground you can sit on. Also, there is a platform built to the side of the hill. There is always something exciting and breathtaking at each resting point throughout the hiking trail because it's also a lookout spot. 5. There are other hiking trails that doesn't involve this hill. This would be perfect for those who are unable to hike on steeper ground. Just drive deeper through the road to find the right trail. 6. There is a huge, open space for running around, playground, and biking. It is truly an open space for all ages. read more
10 years ago
30m outside of Saint Louis. This is a lovely park with hiking, running and biking trails with the dogs. This is a beginner trail (anything from 1.5m-5.5miles) - so nothing that will be comparable to the avid backpacker. But, there are lovely look-out points. Parking, accessible trails, beautiful views along the river, this is a great place to take a date or just yourself to quiet one's mind b4 returning to the City. So lucky that this place is close by. read more
6 years ago
One of my favorite State parks! The trails have beautiful scenery that over look the river and cliff side. The hiking is mostly moderate difficulty level, but anyone that's heathy could definitely do the trail! The park is rarely so crowded it's miserable and there are hidden caves! Also a great back to bike or bring your dog. read more
4 years ago
Great views and great play areas for children. Best views in the spring and fall! Bring the whole family read more
For a short easy to moderate hike, there really is no better place in St. Louis. Start your hike by going up the bluff to the left. This will lead you up along the Ridgeline with beautiful views all along the way. Take your time to enjoy the view while you're up there. Looking down you can imagine what it would be like to be Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Finn playing in the Meremac River. The hike will lead you down a series of wooden steps. At that point you cross underneath the train tracks then head back left towards the main parking lot. The whole hike is roughly 3 miles, and could easily be done with kids or a dog. read more
4 years ago
7 years ago
Easy beautifultrail with lots of lookout points. The park wassuper packed because we got there at noon and I didnt realize that was late on a beautiful day. We did a 1.6 mile hike and enjoyed read more
4 years ago
4 years ago
Love castle wood state park i hike there a lot and seeing flowers and insects and the nice forests read more
This is easily one of the best parks in St. Louis. It has a beautiful hiking trail that is awesome to trek on with a friend (four legged or two). There is plenty of parking and, from what I can tell, it's never too crowded. They also have a huge open filed you can play in if hiking ain't your thing. Regardless if you like to hike, you need to. It has a gorgeous view that overlooks a huge area of Missouri. You would never guess there is a sight so beautiful so close to home. I've also used Castelwood's bike trail which is quite fun but can get pretty muddy/thick. Bring plenty of bug spray for all those mosquitoes and prepare to get drenched in mud if it rained recently. I can't wait to head out here for the first time this summer. Who wants to go on a hike?! read more
13 years ago
This review is for the "Castlewood loop" and "Chubb trail" only. I came on a sunny weekday AM in july with my dog a day after it rained a lot. I did not bring insect repellent. As soon as you descend on Chubb trail adjacent to the railroad Mosquitos completely swarm you from head to toe. It was as if they were all expecting my dog and I and they were starving! I was wearing a short sleeved T-shirt and I had to run to keep from being bitten (this helped but they would still latch on). By the end of the hike both my arms were streaked in blood from slapping Mosquitos (not because I slapped my arms so hard, but because the Mosquitos were so engorged at the end of their blood meal that they exploded in blood as if a mini grenade went off inside them to light touch). It seriously was comparable to the swampland in the Everglades park in South Florida during the summer. Unfortunately my experience went from bad to worse. We made it to the "Castlewood loop" trail once you cross the railroad tracks. The trails were completely unmaintained and consisted of either muddy pools of water or overgrown weeds in the open field areas. When we finally reached the south meremec river portion of the trail it was very scenic and I thought ahhh all that mudding, mosquito warfare, and bush whacking was worth it for the view.... That was until I looked down at both my legs and they were covered by currant sized lone star and dog ticks! There were al least 15 of them, some were latched others were crawling around until they found a good place to gouge their barbed mouth pieces and pump themselves fat. I quickly picked them off and continued the second half of the trail that continued to rotate between muddy sand/dirt and giant pools of muddy water. The trail got so bad towards the end I ended up taking a shortcut on the railroad track and made my way back to the beginning of Chubb trail. I will avoid this part of the park unless it is either very dry out and or trails were freshly maintained. I will try the north aspect of the park next time as this is where all the positive reviews have come from. Seriously if blood banks are in need of more donations they need to ditch the buses and come to this section of the park, trap the mosquitos, and tap them with small needles. They would have more than enough supply to last decades. Other than most likely contracting West Nile Virus, Ehlichiosis, Lyme disease, and losing two pints of blood we had an A-ok time read more
4 years ago
6 years ago
4 years ago
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More info about Castlewood State Park
1401 Kiefer Creek Rd
Ballwin, MO 63021
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(636) 227-4433
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