Hiking Myron and Sonya Glassberg Conservation Area
The Glassberg Family Conservation Area is one of the newest in Missouri. The park opened in 2012 thanks to a donation from the Glassberg family. Myron and Sonya were both active conservationists who promoted a healthy appreciation for the outdoors. Their legacy lives on in this beautiful spot of nature. This site along with LaBarque Creek and Young Conservation Areas preserve the quality of the ecologically diverse LaBarque Creek Watershed. Two trails have been developed with the main trail being a 3 mile loop. The second trail is a 0.5 mile loop that branches off the main trail to circle around Buder Lake.
Glassberg Conservation Area Main Loop
- Length: 2.8 miles
- Difficulty: 2 out of 5 for first mile. There is a moderate uphill climb, but the path is wide and packed gravel or asphalt. This is a great kids trail. Past the overlook, the trail narrows and becomes more moderate for a 3 out of 5 rating.
- Scenic Value: 3.5 out of 5. The waterfall, pond, and overlook add variety to the traditional walk through the woods.
- The parking area here is small and there are no restrooms.
The trail starts by passing a memorial sculpture for the Glassberg family and continues along an old road. Water trickling along a stream parallel to the path makes a nice start to the hike.
The trail will quickly come to a junction where the loop portion begins. Head to the right to see the waterfall and overlook first.
Soon after the trail split you will hear the splashing of a small but scenic waterfall off to the right. This waterfall appears to flow fairly consistently during rainy seasons. (often dry in summer). It makes a nice spot for the kids to do a little exploring either at the start or end of your hike.
Just past the waterfall the trail crosses a wooden bridge. Soon you will see the spur trail heading downhill and catch a peek of Buder Lake off to your left. This side trail is worth the time for the view of the trees reflecting in the water. We did not do the whole loop around the lake, but that will add another half mile to your total hike.
*Update 2023: The lake is currently drained and there appears to be construction happening around it.
You can circle around the lake for another 0.5 mile or retrace your steps back up the hill to rejoin the main trail. From here, the trail starts to climb up a long and steady incline. You could even push a jogging stroller on this first mile of the trail although you might be huffing and puffing up the hill.
Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife both great and small.
A few side trails lead off on the right while climbing the hill, but they don’t appear to actually lead to anything. Keep on the main trail until around the mile mark where a small sign and arrow point off to the right. This short spur leads to a nice wooden platform and overlook of the Meramec River below.
Trees somewhat limit the view, but it’s still a nice viewpoint. If you want a shorter hike, this spot would make a good turn around spot to do an out and back hike of just over 2 miles.
After backtracking down the overlook spur to the main trail, keep an eye off to your right for a large boulder and message of outdoor inspiration.
From this point, the main trail narrows and changes from gravel and asphalt to packed dirt.
The trail rambles through the woods for awhile before breaking out of the woods to parallel a power line cut.
After a short distance of walking next to the high-voltage lines, the trail heads back into the woods. The trail bounces along the woods with minor up and down grades. There is a small stream to cross at one point before heading uphill again.
After another pass under the power lines, the trail continues through the woods and a small field then joins with an old segment of road. There are a couple of trail junctions along the way. Be sure to follow the arrows back to the parking lot as the other trail splits lead to service roads.
The old road then curves downhill to end the loop. Turn right to return to the parking lot.
This area in Eureka has quite a few other trails to check out. Young Conservation Area and LaBarque Creek Conservation Area are located a short distance away. Don Robinson State Park is a few more miles down the road.
Happy Hiking!