SPORTS & RECREATION / PARKS
Parks & Scenic Getaways
Vast state and county parks combine with regional and municipal resources to provide a wealth of outdoor recreational opportunities throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. Hiking and biking trails, bridle paths, campgrounds, hunting and fishing areas, wonderful botanical gardens, nature preserves, and lush forests are just a few of the amenities. In the case of Forest Park in St. Louis, recreational facilities combine with family entertainment and world-class museums or science centers, attracting throngs of regional residents and visitors from across the nation.
Missouri State Parks
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Jefferson City 573-751-3443
Toll Free 800-361-4827
www.dnr.mo.gov
Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park
800 Guy Park Drive
Wildwood 636-458-3818
Toll Free 800-334-6946
www.mostateparks.com/babler.htm
Miles of trails through towering forests and sheltered valleys combine with a wide range of sports and recreational facilities to make this park a popular retreat.
Edward ‘Ted’ and Pat Jones Confluence State Park
Old Schoolhouse Road
West Alton 636-899-1135
www.mostateparks.com/confluence.htm
The two great rivers of the nation meet near St. Louis, where 1,118 acres are being developed as the system’s newest state park.
Castlewood State Park
1401 Kiefer Road
Ballwin 636-227-4433
Toll Free 800-334-6946
www.mostateparks.com/castlewood.htm
The vast 1,779-acre Castlewood State Park preserves the history of a former resort area along both sides of the Meramec River.
Cuivre River State park
678 State Route 147
Troy 636-528-7247
Toll Free 800-334-6946
www.mostateparks.com/cuivre.htm
Enjoy the park’s wilder, Ozarkian flavor in the otherwise agricultural landscape of northern Missouri for a true nature lover’s paradise.
Elephant Rocks State Park
Highway 21
Pilot Knob 573-546-3454
Toll Free 800-334-6946
www.mostateparks.com/elephantrock.htm
Mammoth granite rocks stand end-to-end like a parade of circus elephants for an unusual climbing experience.
Graham Cave State Park
217 Highway TT
Montgomery City 573-564-3454
Toll Free 800-334-6946
www.mostateparks.com/grahamcave.htm
Featuring a cave that preserved artifacts dating back 10,000 years, this 365-acre park offers scenic trails and a river boat ramp.
Hawn State Park
12096 Park Drive
Ste. Genevieve 573-883-3603
Toll Free 800-334-6946
www.mostateparks.com/hawn.htm
Considered by many to be the loveliest of Missouri’s state parks, this 4,953-acre preserve encompasses the 2,880-acre Whispering Pine Wild Area.
Meramec State Park
2800 S. Highway 185
Sullivan 573-468-6072
Toll Free 800-334-6946
www.mostateparks.com/meramec.htm
Year-round access to camping, picnicking, and hiking areas are available on nearly 6,900 acres that include guided tours of Fisher Cave.
Robertsville State Park
Route 0 near Route N
Robertsville 636-257-3788
Toll Free 800-334-6946
www.mostateparks.com/robertsville.htm
The 1,225-acre park features a variety of outdoor activities that include canoeing and fishing in the Meramec River.
Route 66 State Park
2901 Highway 61
Festus 636-938-7198
Toll Free 800-334-6946
www.mostateparks.com/route66.htm
Set along the original Route 66 corridor, the 419-acre park attracts visitors who want to enjoy nature and see interesting historical displays.
St. Francois State Park
8920 US Highway 67 North
Bonne Terre 573-358-2173
Toll Free 800-334-6946
www.mostateparks.com/stfrancois.htm
Featuring the beauty of the Pike Run Hills, this wilderness setting is ideal for hiking, horseback riding, and nature study.
St. Joe State Park
2800 Pimville Road
Park Hills 573-431-1069
Toll Free 800-334-6946
www.mostateparks.com/stjoe.htm
This sprawling 8,328-acre park is one of the state’s largest and preserves approximately 2,000 acres for Missouri’s premier off-road vehicle riding area.
Washington State Park
13041 State Park Hwy. 104
DeSoto 636-586-5768
Toll Free 800-334-6946
www.mostateparks.com/washington.htm
The highlight of this park is the historic attraction of Native American petroglyphs that are believed to have been carved around A.D. 1,000.
Regional Park Systems
Parks offer sweeping green space for relaxation and exercise as well as amenities like bike trails, playground equipment, fishing ponds, campgrounds, picnic areas, sports fields, and horse trails. Contact the nearest regional administration unit for more information or visit their websites for more extensive information.
Jefferson County Parks & Recreation
Hillsboro 636-797-5334
www.jeffcomo.org/parks
Metropolitan Parks & Recreation District
St. Louis 314-436-7009
St. Louis County Parks and Recreation
Clayton 314-615-PARK
www.stlouisco.com/parks
City of St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation & Forestry
St. Louis 314-289-5300
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/parks
City of St. Louis Forestry Division
St. Louis 314 613-7200
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/parks/forestry
City of St. Louis Parks Division
St. Louis 314-289-5300
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/parks/parks
City of St. Louis Recreation Division
St. Louis 314-289-5320
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/parks/recreation
Major Metropolitan Attractions
Forest Park
St. Louis 314-289-5300
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/parks/parks
www.forestparkforever.org
Distinguished as one of the nation’s largest urban parks, Forest Park stands in a class of its own as a regional attraction. The park attracts more than 12 million people each year who visit the cultural institutions, enjoy recreational amenities, or attend special events. The St. Louis Zoo, Art Museum, Municipal Opera, Science Center, and History Museum share the park with golf courses, skating rink, tennis courts, an archery range, ballfields, handball courts, biking and hiking trails, and boat rides.
Grants Farm
10501 Gravois Road
St. Louis 314-843-1700
www.grantsfarm.com
This living symbol of the Busch family’s love for animals and Anheuser-Busch’s commitment to wildlife conservation is also the 281-acre ancestral home of the Busch family. More than 1,000 animals representing more than 100 different species from six continents make this one of the nation’s premier nature attractions. The farm takes its name from the 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, who founded and farmed a portion of the land.
Kiener Plaza & Morton D. May Amphitheater
St. Louis 314-289-5300
http://stlouis-mo.gov/government/
Commanding a dramatic view of the Gateway Arch, the park features a pool and fountain centerpiece with a statue known as “The Runner” by sculptor William Zorach. Kiener Plaza hosts St. Louis Cardinal, Ram, and Blues rallies and victory celebrations as well as concerts, festivals and a myriad of other special events.
Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Boulevard
St. Louis 800-642-8842
Events 314-577-9400
www.mobot.org
Founded in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the nation’s oldest botanical institutions and a National Historic Landmark. This premier center for botanical research and science education also provides an oasis of natural beauty for the City of St. Louis. Nearly 80 acres of beautiful horticultural displays, a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, the Climatron conservatory, and founder Henry Shaw’s original 1850 estate home are among the attractions.
Tower Grove Park
St. Louis 314-289-5300
http://stlouis-mo.gov/government/
The grand pleasure park that Henry Shaw gave St. Louis in 1868 is the nation’s largest Victorian walking park and registered as a National Historic Landmark. Sports facilities are surrounded by spectacular foliage, gazebos, fountains, Victorian pavilions, and sculptures.
Municipal Parks & Recreation
With the metropolitan area municipalities, lush parks are brimming over with sports facilities and other recreational amenities to provide a scenic backdrop and open space for leisure activities. Many of these parks and recreation departments have developed wonderful supervised programs that appeal to residents of every age and interest, from sports leagues to arts and crafts, summer camps, and field trips.
City of Ballwin
636-227-8950
www.ballwin.mo.us
City of Chesterfield
636-537-4000
www.chesterfield.mo.us
City of Clayton
314-290-8500
www.ci.clayton.mo.us
City of Crestwood
314-729-4860
www.ci.crestwood.mo.us
City of Creve Coeur
314-569-8999
www.creve-coeur.org
City of Des Peres
314-835-6150
www.desperesmo.org
City of Florissant
314-921-4468
www.florissantmo.com
City of Hazelwood
314-731-0980
www.ci.hazelwood.mo.us
City of Kirkwood
314-822-5855
www.ci.kirkwood.mo.us
City of Manchester
636-391-6326
www.manchestermo.gov
City of O’Fallon
636-379-5575
636-474-2REC
www.ofallon.mo.us
St. Charles City
636-949-3372
www.stcharlescitymo.gov
St. Peters City
636-939-2FUN
www.stpetersmo.net
University City
314-862-2727
www.ucitymo.org
Wentzville City
636–327-7665
http://www.wentzvillemo.org/
