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I was so happy with our first visit to Shaw Nature Reserve! There are beautiful trails to walk and so much to explore. What impressed me the most though was the children's area with a natural playscape! As a toddler mom and former outdoor teacher, I was so excited to find this space. It's the perfect place for outdoor play and education. I will definitely be bringing my family back soon!
Peaceful place. $5 entry fee. Some trails were closed due to erosion. There is outlooks shown on the map on the Goddard River trail but that is a very small cliff looking spot in the woods, not a real overlook. I will definitely come back to complete all the trails.
I've been coming to Shaw Nature Reserve since I was a kiddo with my family for photos and nature hikes. Every season there is an abundance of gorgeous natural views, flora, and fauna. Covid-19 has changed up how Shaw Nature Reserve works now, but they've got a great system to keep things safe. To visit Shaw Nature Reserve now you'll need to go online or call and reserve a time slot (in 2-hour increments). If you are a member, there is no admission fee. If you are a visitor, the admission fee is quite small for what you get to access (adults are $5 and children are free). They'll send you a confirmation email with a bar code that will be scanned upon arrival. After scanning your ticket at guest services, you'll receive a token for your car to gain entry into the reserve. Pack a picnic to enjoy by the lake or take a hike on one of the many trails available! And watch out for all the bunnies on the gravel roads! Shaw Nature Reserve is also a wonderful spot to have a photo session or elope! The views can't be beat!
When you join as a member of Missouri Botanical Gardens, you also get free admission to Shaw Nature Reserve. That is why we found ourselves here. If you want to know any other information or the history about the Reserve, go online and check it out. We packed a picnic lunch and made the forty-five minute drive to the Reserve. Neither one of us had ever been here before. We stopped in at the Visitor Center to get some info and a map and off we went to explore. We started at the Bascom house where my phone promptly died after taking one picture. We chose the wildflower trail as our first hike. I have never seen so many Monarch butterflies in my life. There was one flower that had about ten of them hanging off of it. I was amazed. We had our lunch under one of the pavilions near the Bascom house. Afterwards we took a hike around the lake. There are a few lookout areas around the reserve to watch the birds and bees and to admire the landscape. A couple of tips. Do not bring your bike. They are prohibited on the trails. Do the old-fashioned thing and walk. Do not wear sandals or flip-flops no matter how comfortable you think they are. You're just asking for trouble. Would I come back here. Yes, I think the spring would be lovely.
We loved Shaw Nature Preserve! Nice to have a place so close to us that has such a great variety of natural features. The variety of wildflowers, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, and especially birds was wonderful. On the beautiful day we went there we spotted so many bird species, it was great. They also have a tremendous area for kids and adults who are kids on the inside. Great bridge over the pond, things to climb on, swing, play music, build etc. Every weekend in May they have wagon rides too.
Shaw Nature Reserve is easily one of my favorite trails near St. Louis. If you have a love for hiking and haven't been here yet then move this to the top of your priority list. It's only about a 40 minute drive if you're coming from downtown STL. When you roll up you might accidentally skip the admission but DON'T, cause you're on the honor system here. Admission is $5 but you're going to be spending a lot of time here so it's well worth the cash. If you want to take a break from hiking or have little ones with you they have "nature rides" that you can pay $1 to get on and drive you from one scenic route to the next. That way you can "quit" no matter where you are on the trail. We, however, hiked the whole time like true champions. To make this easier for you to prioritize, I'm going to break it down by area. You can follow along using their trail guide listed here http://www.mobot.org/snr/PDFs/SNRVisitorGuide.pdf ...You can also check out the bajillion photos I uploaded to the biz listing to see what I'm talking about. Pinetum Lake/Nature Classroom: This lake is right by the entrance and an easy place to start. On your way you'll walkthrough a wonderfully creative "Nature Classroom" targeted towards kids but fun for adults. I recommend hitting up the bridge made from an old tree and trekking across. Bascom House/Wildflower Garden: I'm partial to this area for numerous reasons. 1) It's the most beautiful area of the park. It most closely resembles The Botanical Garden and is well manicured with plenty of flowers and plants. You can plan on spending some time walking around here. It's very peaceful 2) The Bascom House serves coffee and lemonade on the weekend for free! 3) I proposed to my, now fiancé, in the Gazebo by the pond. So clearly I'm bias. :) Prairie: There are lots of "Prairie" areas when you look at the map. They are beautiful representations of what Missouri looks like. Big open fields with massive trees and rolling hills. Glade: Once you hit the north side you'll find a Glade by the Meramec River. We made the mistake of not walking down to the river but I've been told this is an destination see .The glades have plenty of wildflowers and beautiful vistas overlooking the cavernous space. Wetlands: Yes, go see them. They're marshy and filled with plenty-o-birds, massive lily pads, and it has a leisurely boardwalk that traces the bodies of water. If you're lucky you'll spot some turtles and bullfrogs while you're here. We walked a total of 8-9 miles so I've seen a lot of the area but not quite all of it. I think if you take all the trails it totals to 14 miles. The visitor center is V helpful if you have any questions and you don't need to be a cartographer to forage these trails. Grab a map and get to steppin'!
This is a beautiful place to immerse yourself in all the sounds, sights, and smells of nature. I visited the Shaw Nature Reserve for the first time earlier this month and I look forward to many more trips here. The reserve is only about a 30-40 minute drive from St. Louis, depending on which part of the city you live in. It costs $5 per person or free if you're a member of the Missouri Botanical Gardens. There's a visitor's center at the entrance where I spoke to a really helpful and passionate employee who pointed me in the direction of the daffodils (I wanted to take some photos) and recommended a hiking trail according to my preferences. There are so many trails here that I would image it could take a full day or two to really explore them all. The landscape varies from meadows to a gravel bar at the Meramec River to prairie to woodlands / forest with streams and ponds throughout. The hiking is fairly easy, although certain sections may be somewhat challenging for those who aren't in the best shape (for example the bluff outlook area). Restrooms, water fountains, and signage are all well-placed and very helpful. There are a few locations with tables where picnicking is allowed, although you're encouraged to bring water and snacks to eat on the trails (just clean up after yourself and don't you dare think about littering!!!!). What I love best about the reserve is the way it really showcases nature. Hiking there allows you to see how the plants and animals are in their natural habitat. Don't get me wrong, I love the Botanical Gardens with its manicured lawns and flowers and trees, but there's just something special about seeing the world as it naturally is, you know, without too much human intervention. It's really worth the trip out there to check out this place. Make sure to wear comfy shoes and bring water. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Great location for photos and hiking trails. Visit on Saturday or Sunday during the summer or fall.
Wonderful natural area for walking and birding. Miles of trails go through varied topography of woodlands, prairies, hills, small lakes, and along the Meramec River. I took a sunny walk from the Brush Creek bridge to the Sod House through meadows filled with tall grasses and wildflowers, and saw a nesting pair of Orchard Orioles, Red-Headed Woodpeckers, Eastern Bluebirds, Common Yellowthroat, and Eastern Meadowlark. Several buildings on the property house a visitor center and classrooms. It would be easy to spend half a day or more here.
Excellent place for a beautiful hike. I spent the morning hiking the Wolf Run and Wetlands trails. The entire area is perfect for nature and landscape photography. The two trails together are a moderate 3 miles in length and on very flat ground. I can't wait to go back!
We visited on a beautiful Friday evening for the (free!) Wildflower Concert Series. There was plentiful free parking and space to enjoy the live music as well as the beautiful natural landscaping and flowers. We brought a blanket, chairs and picnic dinner. There are shaded pavilions with picnic tables. There are "real" bathrooms. There was food and drinks available for purchase as part of the event. Staff were very friendly and helpful. We did not hike this visit but they have nice hiking trails. No pets allowed, except service animals. read more
The nature reserve is easy to access off I-44. There is even a gas station at that intersection to get anything you might need before entering. At the entrance is the visitor's center which has bathrooms, souvenirs, educational materials, maps and where you pay the $5 entrance fee unless you're a MoBot member. They give you a token to allow the entrance gate to open. Within 30 seconds of being in the reserve, I saw a male cardinal and a red wing blackbird. Then I heard mourning doves. Later I saw a squirrel, Monarch butterfly, and a white butterfly. I spied Shortleaf pine trees, too. There are so many colorful wildflowers. If you have limited mobility the Whitmere wildflower garden is a good place to start. The parking lot is loose, small gravel and the path is a mix of packed and small loose gravel. Also the wetlands area has disabled parking and a .75 mile packed gravel trail to the boardwalk. Able-bodied folks have many trails with varying levels of difficulty to hike. Disabled folks can enjoy the view from the paved road and there are a few spots that are disabled accessible to enjoy nature up close. You can see quite a bit from your vehicle, where speed limits are 15 mph. Plan about 90 mins to 2 hours if you are doing the easier walks. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and bug spray. read more
This is a beautiful place! So much to see! The trails are taken care of and grass is mowed near pathways for pedestrians. Staff is so friendly and the signs and labels make for an interesting yet educational experience. It is peaceful, yet still close enough to the city. The entrance into the reserve is also interesting! Using a the coin to enter is a nice touch for both safety and it's unique! read more
I was so happy with our first visit to Shaw Nature Reserve! There are beautiful trails to walk and so much to explore. What impressed me the most though was the children's area with a natural playscape! As a toddler mom and former outdoor teacher, I was so excited to find this space. It's the perfect place for outdoor play and education. I will definitely be bringing my family back soon! read more
Peaceful place. $5 entry fee. Some trails were closed due to erosion. There is outlooks shown on the map on the Goddard River trail but that is a very small cliff looking spot in the woods, not a real overlook. I will definitely come back to complete all the trails. read more
2 years ago
6 years ago
I've been coming to Shaw Nature Reserve since I was a kiddo with my family for photos and nature hikes. Every season there is an abundance of gorgeous natural views, flora, and fauna. Covid-19 has changed up how Shaw Nature Reserve works now, but they've got a great system to keep things safe. To visit Shaw Nature Reserve now you'll need to go online or call and reserve a time slot (in 2-hour increments). If you are a member, there is no admission fee. If you are a visitor, the admission fee is quite small for what you get to access (adults are $5 and children are free). They'll send you a confirmation email with a bar code that will be scanned upon arrival. After scanning your ticket at guest services, you'll receive a token for your car to gain entry into the reserve. Pack a picnic to enjoy by the lake or take a hike on one of the many trails available! And watch out for all the bunnies on the gravel roads! Shaw Nature Reserve is also a wonderful spot to have a photo session or elope! The views can't be beat! read more
3 years ago
When you join as a member of Missouri Botanical Gardens, you also get free admission to Shaw Nature Reserve. That is why we found ourselves here. If you want to know any other information or the history about the Reserve, go online and check it out. We packed a picnic lunch and made the forty-five minute drive to the Reserve. Neither one of us had ever been here before. We stopped in at the Visitor Center to get some info and a map and off we went to explore. We started at the Bascom house where my phone promptly died after taking one picture. We chose the wildflower trail as our first hike. I have never seen so many Monarch butterflies in my life. There was one flower that had about ten of them hanging off of it. I was amazed. We had our lunch under one of the pavilions near the Bascom house. Afterwards we took a hike around the lake. There are a few lookout areas around the reserve to watch the birds and bees and to admire the landscape. A couple of tips. Do not bring your bike. They are prohibited on the trails. Do the old-fashioned thing and walk. Do not wear sandals or flip-flops no matter how comfortable you think they are. You're just asking for trouble. Would I come back here. Yes, I think the spring would be lovely. read more
We loved Shaw Nature Preserve! Nice to have a place so close to us that has such a great variety of natural features. The variety of wildflowers, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, and especially birds was wonderful. On the beautiful day we went there we spotted so many bird species, it was great. They also have a tremendous area for kids and adults who are kids on the inside. Great bridge over the pond, things to climb on, swing, play music, build etc. Every weekend in May they have wagon rides too. read more
Shaw Nature Reserve is easily one of my favorite trails near St. Louis. If you have a love for hiking and haven't been here yet then move this to the top of your priority list. It's only about a 40 minute drive if you're coming from downtown STL. When you roll up you might accidentally skip the admission but DON'T, cause you're on the honor system here. Admission is $5 but you're going to be spending a lot of time here so it's well worth the cash. If you want to take a break from hiking or have little ones with you they have "nature rides" that you can pay $1 to get on and drive you from one scenic route to the next. That way you can "quit" no matter where you are on the trail. We, however, hiked the whole time like true champions. To make this easier for you to prioritize, I'm going to break it down by area. You can follow along using their trail guide listed here http://www.mobot.org/snr/PDFs/SNRVisitorGuide.pdf ...You can also check out the bajillion photos I uploaded to the biz listing to see what I'm talking about. Pinetum Lake/Nature Classroom: This lake is right by the entrance and an easy place to start. On your way you'll walkthrough a wonderfully creative "Nature Classroom" targeted towards kids but fun for adults. I recommend hitting up the bridge made from an old tree and trekking across. Bascom House/Wildflower Garden: I'm partial to this area for numerous reasons. 1) It's the most beautiful area of the park. It most closely resembles The Botanical Garden and is well manicured with plenty of flowers and plants. You can plan on spending some time walking around here. It's very peaceful 2) The Bascom House serves coffee and lemonade on the weekend for free! 3) I proposed to my, now fiancé, in the Gazebo by the pond. So clearly I'm bias. :) Prairie: There are lots of "Prairie" areas when you look at the map. They are beautiful representations of what Missouri looks like. Big open fields with massive trees and rolling hills. Glade: Once you hit the north side you'll find a Glade by the Meramec River. We made the mistake of not walking down to the river but I've been told this is an destination see .The glades have plenty of wildflowers and beautiful vistas overlooking the cavernous space. Wetlands: Yes, go see them. They're marshy and filled with plenty-o-birds, massive lily pads, and it has a leisurely boardwalk that traces the bodies of water. If you're lucky you'll spot some turtles and bullfrogs while you're here. We walked a total of 8-9 miles so I've seen a lot of the area but not quite all of it. I think if you take all the trails it totals to 14 miles. The visitor center is V helpful if you have any questions and you don't need to be a cartographer to forage these trails. Grab a map and get to steppin'! read more
11 years ago
This is a beautiful place to immerse yourself in all the sounds, sights, and smells of nature. I visited the Shaw Nature Reserve for the first time earlier this month and I look forward to many more trips here. The reserve is only about a 30-40 minute drive from St. Louis, depending on which part of the city you live in. It costs $5 per person or free if you're a member of the Missouri Botanical Gardens. There's a visitor's center at the entrance where I spoke to a really helpful and passionate employee who pointed me in the direction of the daffodils (I wanted to take some photos) and recommended a hiking trail according to my preferences. There are so many trails here that I would image it could take a full day or two to really explore them all. The landscape varies from meadows to a gravel bar at the Meramec River to prairie to woodlands / forest with streams and ponds throughout. The hiking is fairly easy, although certain sections may be somewhat challenging for those who aren't in the best shape (for example the bluff outlook area). Restrooms, water fountains, and signage are all well-placed and very helpful. There are a few locations with tables where picnicking is allowed, although you're encouraged to bring water and snacks to eat on the trails (just clean up after yourself and don't you dare think about littering!!!!). What I love best about the reserve is the way it really showcases nature. Hiking there allows you to see how the plants and animals are in their natural habitat. Don't get me wrong, I love the Botanical Gardens with its manicured lawns and flowers and trees, but there's just something special about seeing the world as it naturally is, you know, without too much human intervention. It's really worth the trip out there to check out this place. Make sure to wear comfy shoes and bring water. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! read more
7 years ago
Great location for photos and hiking trails. Visit on Saturday or Sunday during the summer or fall. read more
4 years ago
4 years ago
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John D.
Hi Robin. We are sorry to hear about your negative experience! We…
Wonderful natural area for walking and birding. Miles of trails go through varied topography of woodlands, prairies, hills, small lakes, and along the Meramec River. I took a sunny walk from the Brush Creek bridge to the Sod House through meadows filled with tall grasses and wildflowers, and saw a nesting pair of Orchard Orioles, Red-Headed Woodpeckers, Eastern Bluebirds, Common Yellowthroat, and Eastern Meadowlark. Several buildings on the property house a visitor center and classrooms. It would be easy to spend half a day or more here. read more
8 years ago
10 years ago
Excellent place for a beautiful hike. I spent the morning hiking the Wolf Run and Wetlands trails. The entire area is perfect for nature and landscape photography. The two trails together are a moderate 3 miles in length and on very flat ground. I can't wait to go back! read more
10 years ago
Omg! Have you ever been here? It's amazing! It's like stepping back in time...pristine, untouched. Hawks above, bluebirds in the trees. I'm here after a fresh rain and everything is shimmery and blooming for spring. I see tons of wildflowers. So glad I decided to do this today, it's about a half hour drive from Fenton. Lots of little antique stores to visit in Eureka too. I found a bench, I may never leave. read more
9 years ago
15 years ago
Beautiful nature reserve!!! Wonderful walking trails, parries, wooded areas, river, creeks, wetlands! Its just an amazing walking experience! Stop into the visitors center to get a custom map depending how much want to walk! I did 5 miles and saw a lot of stuff! Open every day from 7 a.m. til sunset! Located right on the corner of MO 100 (right off 44) and pinetum loop rd. (literally 1 minute off the highway). Friendly staff and expertly manicured, a must see for all those in St. Louis who have forgotten what nature looks like! read more
13 years ago
10 years ago
More info about Shaw Nature Reserve
307 Pinetum Loop Rd
Gray Summit, MO 63039
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(314) 577-9555
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http://www.shawnature.org
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4 years ago
