-
Wildflower Wonder at Valley View Glades Natural Area in Missouri
Less than an hour south of St. Louis lies one of our favorite and uncrowded spots to hike. Tucked away off the highway near Hillsboro, Valley View Glades is a 225 acre site with a mix of dolomite glades, woodlands, and trickling streams. This mostly undisturbed area looks very much like what would have greeted early French settlers to the area. Native wildflowers flourish in the open glades and put on an impressive display in spring and summer. In the…
-
Ferne Clyffe State Park – A Secret Oasis in Southern Illinois
Many people think of Illinois as “flyover country.” They believe the state is nothing but flat and boring farm fields as far as the eye can see. While much of the state is geographically monotonous, far southern Illinois is drastically different. This rugged area is known as the Illinois Ozarks. Rising bluffs, trickling waterfalls, and jagged rocks create a lush and varied landscape worthy of exploration. Tucked away near the bottom of the state, Ferne Clyffe State Park has been…
-
Step into Adventure on the 1,000 Steps Trail at Washington State Park in Missouri
Missouri’s Washington State Park is a hidden gem of the state’s park system. Less well known and crowded as some of the more popular trails further south, this park is well worth a visit. While the park has several hiking trails, the 1,000 Steps Trail is one of our favorites. While the trail is a great one any time of year, the hike is especially stunning in spring. Washington State Park History Washington State Park is an area steeped in…
-
Take a Hike at Hawn, One of Missouri’s Best State Parks
Missouri has a lot of beautiful state parks, but Hawn is towards the top in scenic value. When I am missing the rushing streams and rugged mountains of hiking destinations out west, this is the spot I like to visit. The towering pine and oak trees combined with the sandy creek bottoms and sandstone rocks make a serene spot to wander. While many parks in the area only have streams or waterfalls during wet weather, the stunning cascades of Pickle…
-
Best St. Louis Area Hiking Books
Have you been wanting to take a hike but don’t know the best places to visit around St. Louis? Maybe you want to find a trail that is kid friendly or one that is not likely to be crowded. Maybe you have seen local pictures of a hiking trail with a beautiful waterfall or stunning overlook and want to know how to get there. The one hiking question I’m asked over and over is how exactly do I find all…
