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I was happy to visit a park where domestic animals weren't allowed. The grounds were well maintained and roads were even. We got to see elk and deer the bison were hiding somewhere. The White Bison trail wasn't marked very well and there weren't any maps to show you where to go so we kinda just winged it. The beginning is very steep of the trail head at White Bison. You must wear something to protect from ticks because as soon as I stepped in some tall grass my shoes and socks were covered.
Brought my parents out to ride through & see the animals/ scenery. After my father's stroke, he's experienced mobility issues & prefers to stay in the car, meaning we're always looking for interesting things that require minimal to no walking. This his the spot. We were late for baby season but still had the opportunity to see young elk, bison, deer & racoons. It was a cooler, overcast day & animals activity was pretty high. Based on the behaviors of the raccoons, it's safe to say they have been food conditioned. They headed right for the car when I cracked the window for pictures & to give the parents a better view. There were a couple of fawns, still spotted & a couple of "red dogs", as well as some youngish elk. It was well-suited to our needs, easy to access & free. There are facilities that are accessible and, should you want to brave the ticks, mosquitoes & other pests, picnic areas with trails. We didn't!
What's not to love about this park? We love driving through and seeing all the animals. There are public restrooms and places to have a picnic.
We were visiting the World Bird Sanctuary adjacent to Lone Elk and someone told us make sure we drive thru when we leave and we are sooooo glad we did! This is a wildlife management area where you might see elk,deer ,bison and water fowl roaming freely thru out the park. You drive on a one lane circular road most of the time and there are pull offs if you want to stop Motorcycles and domestic pets are not allowed There is no admission to enter the park but donations are accepted. Definitely worth a stop!
Went back in November and saw the elk and bison even better than late Summer. Love this place every time I go.
One of my favorite places to disconnect! Any time of year a drive through the park is worthwhile. Experiencing the trees, the lakes and the resident creatures is always a joy and really reconnects my spirit to nature. Not awesome for hiking due to very high tick populations, but most times a simple drive is all it takes, with highlights being overlooking the lake, close encounters in the bison paddock and, - perhaps a quirky favorite - spotting the little, peppy raccoons that bear no resemblance to the trash pandas you find in alleyways.
Right across the road from The World Bird Sanctuary, this is a wonderful drive-through park for the family to enjoy free of charge. All ages will enjoy spotting wildlife. There are designated parking and picnic areas where you can safely get out of the car.
This was such a wonderful experience! I visited last month with my friend who is stationed out there and we went through the whole park and saw so many amazing animals. I loved this experience, they also have picnic areas that the animals were also walking through!
If you're looking for a charming, no-cost adventure, this park offers a leisurely experience. The drive-through setup allows you to enjoy the natural beauty of the area without any entry fee, making it an accessible outing for everyone. Upon entering, you'll find the lake to your left. The key to a smooth visit is to continue straight up the hill, despite the sign pointing to the restrooms. If you veer right, you'll quickly encounter a dead end, requiring a bit of backtracking. The highlight of the visit is undoubtedly the wildlife. During my trip, a lively herd of elk was grazing right by the roadside. Their casual stroll onto the road added a touch of wilderness to the experience, though they seemed unperturbed by passing vehicles. It was a delightful sight, allowing for some memorable close-up views of these majestic animals. Further along, bison sightings are possible, though they tend to be at a greater distance compared to the elk. The bison, while more distant, still contribute to the park's allure. Overall, this park provides a simple yet rewarding wildlife experience. The straightforward driving route and the opportunity to see both elk and bison make it a worthwhile visit for nature enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. .|\---/| | @_@ | ..\_^_/..2024
This is such a wonderful spot to drive around. We ended up seeing a whole herd of bison right outside our car windows. P.S. if you need your children to sleep, hop on the loop & you can drive around to see elk/bison on a private road. Takes about 20-30 minutes total and can drive slow.
All around, a super solid park. It has a bit of something for everyone. I like to hike the white bison loop which is about 3.2 miles. It isn't too long that you have to commit your entire day to it and it is rugged, but not too challenging. Hilly, rocky, but also smooth and lots of elevation changes. The park also has an observation tower and a drive through route for families as well. Every time I go I see deer and elk. The bison are a bit more elusive. But the views are stunning especially the lake in the morning. For hiking? Beginners should be able to handle white bison trail, but still challenging enough for more intermediate explorers.
I absolutely love this place!! There is no charge to drive through. When you first drive in there is a big lake which today the elk were cooling off in. We seen elk, bison, raccoons, a huge carp (I think- massive fish!) once you pass the beautiful lake, there is a visitor enter with bathrooms. This is just a nice nature break right off of the interstate. I have been told y-u can arrive very early;y and follow the ranger around as he is feeding the animals. I really want to do that! We took the White Bison trail and walked right by 3 elk in different spots. It is elk mating season so that may be why we were so lucky today. It was a beautiful day and it was a great place to walk off lunch and then have a wonderful safari ride. I have told several people about this park. It is awesome!!
28 days ago
I was searching for a new park that we haven't attended and came across Lone Elk Park. Who doesn't want to see Elk and possibly Bison too. We came a bit later in the evening, close to closing time. You pretty much drive thru but there are areas you can get out of your car and sit at a picnic table, restroom break or even a little waking to sight see. You cannot get out of your car while driving thru the Bison area and dogs are not allowed at all, not even if they stay in your car. You can leave a small donation too that helps keep the park beautiful and maintained. A beautiful sighting for sure. The Bison were tucked away in the trees but we got a nice glimpse. read more
I was happy to visit a park where domestic animals weren't allowed. The grounds were well maintained and roads were even. We got to see elk and deer the bison were hiding somewhere. The White Bison trail wasn't marked very well and there weren't any maps to show you where to go so we kinda just winged it. The beginning is very steep of the trail head at White Bison. You must wear something to protect from ticks because as soon as I stepped in some tall grass my shoes and socks were covered. read more
Brought my parents out to ride through & see the animals/ scenery. After my father's stroke, he's experienced mobility issues & prefers to stay in the car, meaning we're always looking for interesting things that require minimal to no walking. This his the spot. We were late for baby season but still had the opportunity to see young elk, bison, deer & racoons. It was a cooler, overcast day & animals activity was pretty high. Based on the behaviors of the raccoons, it's safe to say they have been food conditioned. They headed right for the car when I cracked the window for pictures & to give the parents a better view. There were a couple of fawns, still spotted & a couple of "red dogs", as well as some youngish elk. It was well-suited to our needs, easy to access & free. There are facilities that are accessible and, should you want to brave the ticks, mosquitoes & other pests, picnic areas with trails. We didn't! read more
We were visiting the World Bird Sanctuary adjacent to Lone Elk and someone told us make sure we drive thru when we leave and we are sooooo glad we did! This is a wildlife management area where you might see elk,deer ,bison and water fowl roaming freely thru out the park. You drive on a one lane circular road most of the time and there are pull offs if you want to stop Motorcycles and domestic pets are not allowed There is no admission to enter the park but donations are accepted. Definitely worth a stop! read more
1 month ago
Loved seeing the elk, buffalo and young elk, Also saw 2 white tailed deer, will go back if I'm in the area read more
8 months ago
Went back in November and saw the elk and bison even better than late Summer. Love this place every time I go. read more
One of my favorite places to disconnect! Any time of year a drive through the park is worthwhile. Experiencing the trees, the lakes and the resident creatures is always a joy and really reconnects my spirit to nature. Not awesome for hiking due to very high tick populations, but most times a simple drive is all it takes, with highlights being overlooking the lake, close encounters in the bison paddock and, - perhaps a quirky favorite - spotting the little, peppy raccoons that bear no resemblance to the trash pandas you find in alleyways. read more
1 year ago
Right across the road from The World Bird Sanctuary, this is a wonderful drive-through park for the family to enjoy free of charge. All ages will enjoy spotting wildlife. There are designated parking and picnic areas where you can safely get out of the car. read more
10 months ago
2 months ago
1 year ago
This was such a wonderful experience! I visited last month with my friend who is stationed out there and we went through the whole park and saw so many amazing animals. I loved this experience, they also have picnic areas that the animals were also walking through! read more
If you're looking for a charming, no-cost adventure, this park offers a leisurely experience. The drive-through setup allows you to enjoy the natural beauty of the area without any entry fee, making it an accessible outing for everyone. Upon entering, you'll find the lake to your left. The key to a smooth visit is to continue straight up the hill, despite the sign pointing to the restrooms. If you veer right, you'll quickly encounter a dead end, requiring a bit of backtracking. The highlight of the visit is undoubtedly the wildlife. During my trip, a lively herd of elk was grazing right by the roadside. Their casual stroll onto the road added a touch of wilderness to the experience, though they seemed unperturbed by passing vehicles. It was a delightful sight, allowing for some memorable close-up views of these majestic animals. Further along, bison sightings are possible, though they tend to be at a greater distance compared to the elk. The bison, while more distant, still contribute to the park's allure. Overall, this park provides a simple yet rewarding wildlife experience. The straightforward driving route and the opportunity to see both elk and bison make it a worthwhile visit for nature enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. .|\---/| | @_@ | ..\_^_/..2024 read more
This is such a wonderful spot to drive around. We ended up seeing a whole herd of bison right outside our car windows. P.S. if you need your children to sleep, hop on the loop & you can drive around to see elk/bison on a private road. Takes about 20-30 minutes total and can drive slow. read more
All around, a super solid park. It has a bit of something for everyone. I like to hike the white bison loop which is about 3.2 miles. It isn't too long that you have to commit your entire day to it and it is rugged, but not too challenging. Hilly, rocky, but also smooth and lots of elevation changes. The park also has an observation tower and a drive through route for families as well. Every time I go I see deer and elk. The bison are a bit more elusive. But the views are stunning especially the lake in the morning. For hiking? Beginners should be able to handle white bison trail, but still challenging enough for more intermediate explorers. read more
7 months ago
I absolutely love this place!! There is no charge to drive through. When you first drive in there is a big lake which today the elk were cooling off in. We seen elk, bison, raccoons, a huge carp (I think- massive fish!) once you pass the beautiful lake, there is a visitor enter with bathrooms. This is just a nice nature break right off of the interstate. I have been told y-u can arrive very early;y and follow the ranger around as he is feeding the animals. I really want to do that! We took the White Bison trail and walked right by 3 elk in different spots. It is elk mating season so that may be why we were so lucky today. It was a beautiful day and it was a great place to walk off lunch and then have a wonderful safari ride. I have told several people about this park. It is awesome!! read more
2 years ago
What a fun thing to do. Grab your car load of friends and family and head out for this adventure. FREE. You can drive through various pathways in hopes of seeing Elk, Bison and Deer. This is your chance to see these animals up close and personal. You are reminded to stay in your vehicle at all times. They also warn that Bison can damage vehicles. There are some areas designated for a hiking trail and picnic area. We saw some Elk cooling off in the water but unfortunately no Bison. This is birthing season so they said they could be in hiding with their young. Great weekend activity. read more
The very first thing ill say is PLEASE stop graffitiing the trees at the park. Someone keeps spray painting a "smiley face" on what I consider one of the most beautiful parts of an iconic tree near the end of the drive. It might be cute to them but it really defaces the natural beauty of the park. A nice game cam there to get a plate number would be greatly appreciated im sure by not only me. Graffiti aside a drive through the park is always comforting. Its nice not only to see the animals but it makes for a peaceful drive through the forest. Ill ask that park visitors follow the few rules the park has which includes staying back a few yards from the car ahead and to move over to the side to let faster cars by. Some people may not like staring at a single deer as much as the car ahead does. We love the picnic area near the restroom facilities. They has bbqs there to use, just bring your own charcoal! There are also some pavilions to use. We've never done it but you can reserve one of them to have you special occasion. There is also fishing available by reservation. Sometimes you'll have to show patience when the park is busy. Enjoy! read more
3 years ago
Had fun here. Went through park looking for bison, elk and deer. It really is a nice park. It was cool to see the animals. read more
11 months ago
It was a cold Sunday. Hubby and I had been cooped up in the house without adventure for weeks. We decided to get out and about but didn't want to be freezing... We knew that we could have an adventure while staying in our warm vehicle at Lone Elk Park. That's right, a nice Sunday drive adventure with a view :) Getting there was easy. This park is free to drive through and there is no "admission gate". You just drive right in. There is a paved road that you drive throughout the area with a low speed limit. I also liked that there are spots where you can pull over and just take in the view and lookout for the animals while other cars pass if they prefer. We did the entire drive, then went back through a second time. I'm glad we went back, that is when we ended up seeing more of the wildlife! One thing you should expect is the line to get backed up or even come to a stop when the animals are in view as everyone wants to enjoy the view. DO NOT come here if you are in a hurry and want to speed through. While driving through I noticed they have pavilions you book and a visitor center with restrooms. read more
5 years ago
Beautiful park and free! One of my favorite places in Missouri. You hop in your car, drive around, and see elks, bison, geese, wild turkeys. Many great photo ops. Don't be surprised, if the animals come close to your car. You can drive around the loop as many times as you want. Probably the best time to see the animals is around 8:00 in the morning, as well as, around closing time. 5 stars. Absolutely wonderful. read more
Was some good free fun, this. It's basically smallish elk and bison safari with some absolutely majestic views. Geeses and gooses, raccoons abound! A small loop runs along a ridge with a few offshoots worth exploring. There's picnic tables for the adventurous and nice clean bathroom facilities. Like any safari, because the experience can vary so much, I recommend doing the loop at least few times so you don't miss out on anything. Was a few annoying motorists hogging the road at times but we found pulling over and waiting on the gaps between them was a pretty good workaround. read more
THIS PLACE ROCKS!!! Super cool to see elk wandering around the park! Beautiful place to hang out and walk around. Bring your binoculars! Theres a ton of elk and native birds. There is a section with Buffalo! Very cool to see the herd grazing. You can get out of your car and walk around the elk section but you have to stay in your car for the Buffalo section. This is a fun way to kill a few hours and maybe even have a picnic! There are some charcoal grills. read more
2 years ago
We love driving through the park. It's only about 15 minute from our house. The deer and elk and sometimes turkeys. read more
What a gem. If you are a nature or animal lover, this park is incredible. You can drive through the park and see elk and bison, possibly up close. When I was driving through the park there were about 10 elk swimming in the lake, a young bull elk stopping cars by walking in the middle of the road, a small pack of bison were in a pasture about 50 yards from the road, a mother raccoon was leading her 3 baby raccoons safely across the road and there were 3 massive bull elk relaxing along Elk Hollow Road. read more
It's sooo close to STL annnd the secret is out. My family and I have been coming here for years. It's a great way to be close to nature without leaving your car! At times, a line does develop when the animals are close and up front. You can pull onto the shoulder if there is an impatient car behind you which is nice. Make sure you take some of the routes off the main path, there are several. Now...if you are adventurous you can park and take one of the trails butttttt I'm not one for getting that close to wild animals. Although we have taken a picnic lunch and enjoyed a great sunny afternoon. There are several picnic tables, grills, shelters and bathrooms. Warning there's always an Elk Lurking near the bathrooms sooooo just be aware. read more
4 years ago
Summary: Came here for a hike. This is a fantastic spot to visit if you live in the area. If you are visiting St. Louis please focus on something else. Leave this one for the locals. Ok blues fans. Now that you're reading past the summary. Here's the real: First off the drive through sorta not a zoo but we've decided to keep these animals at ransom vibe: It's a pretty drive. I highly recommend hiring me to do an auto dealership shoot in this spot for every season. It's a thing to do when you can't think of what to do. Next is the castlewood loop hike. It's actually pretty nice at first and then turn into a weird field with possibly bears and then no joke find your way into this gorgeous forest till you're back at the train tracks. I imagine it's better for cross country practice than the neighborhood streets. Let's just say i will be back to grotpeter asap. What does a father buffalo say to his kid leaving for college? "Bye son!" read more
A perfect escape location for everyone to get some nature in At the comfort of your car FOR FREE! You could drive at your own pace, pulled over to take quick pictures or hike the trails. Depending on the time of day, you'll spot these animals in different part of the park. We drove around the loop at least 2x to spot most of these animals. It's a bit of a drive but it's quite worth it and unique. We've come here twice already and will probably go back again. Tip: visit the visitor center for more history of this place & take time to drive around a couple times read more
Epic. I didn't know we would see Buffalo and elk in the middle of the day in May but we did. It was so beautiful and we hiked around. The elk were so close to us and we saw at least five of them. There were around eight Buffalo in the middle of the park. Love this place. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
This place is awesome!!! I love that you can drive around and see the animals from your car. There are areas where you can go out and walk through as well. The bison area you have to stay in your car for which is nice and safe. There is a big pond area too where there are some elk. We brought our binoculars and were watching animals hidden from afar. This is the most wildlife that I have seen since we have been in Missouri! Saw deer, elk, bison, bunnies, lots of birds!! read more
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More info about Lone Elk Park
1 Lone Elk Park Rd
Valley Park, MO 63088
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Outdoor Amenities
Ask the Community - Lone Elk Park
Is fishing permitted at the park? If so, how is it and what is the pond stocked with?
Yes, fishing is permitted, BUT, you will need to call and schedule your fishing time. You cannot just go throw in your line. You will need to make an appointment. As far as what is in the pond, I do not know. My friend said it is just like any…
Review Highlights - Lone Elk Park
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