• Hikes,  Kids,  Missouri,  St. Louis

    Rockwoods Reservation: Rock Quarry and Trail Among the Trees Hikes

    Rockwoods Reservation is one of the nicest places to hike near St. Louis. Located in west St. Louis County, visitors can find a taste of the Ozarks tucked away from the busy suburbs. The area features 13 miles of trails past creeks, caves, and a spring. The Lime Kiln trail is one of the most popular hikes at Rockwoods Reservation, especially for those those trail running or training. However, the Rock Quarry and Trail Among the Trees trails are the…

  • Day Trip,  Illinois,  Missouri,  St. Louis

    7 Great St. Louis Fall Color Drives

    October is a beautiful month for a road trip from St. Louis. The leaves typically peak from mid through late October in the areas outside of the city. If you are looking to get out of town and do some leaf peeping, here are 7 great St. Louis fall color drives. 1. Great River Road This epic scenic drive is amazing no matter the season, but the road really puts on a show in fall. Start the drive with a…

  • Hiking,  Kids,  National Parks,  South Dakota

    Family Guide to Wind Cave National Park

    We recently returned from an amazing 9 day trip across North and South Dakota. With so many wonderful parks and sights to explore, I was tempted to skip South Dakota’s Wind Cave National Park. While this park is less well known than other big name sites, I’m so glad we did make the time to include Wind Cave on our itinerary. The intricate cave formations, vast prairie terrain, and diverse wildlife are worth the trip. Here is the ultimate travel…

  • Day Trip,  Hiking,  Kids,  Missouri,  St. Louis

    Take a Cave Adventure at Meramec State Park

    An easy hour drive down I-44 from St. Louis lies Meramec State Park. This lovely Missouri State Park is located along the scenic Meramec River. The park’s claim to fame is that it is the location of over 40 known caves, more than any other park in the state. Our family has enjoyed visiting over the years to hike Meramec State Park’s kid-friendly trails full of interesting natural features. Below is a round up of our favorite trails to explore…

  • Hikes,  Illinois,  Kids,  St. Louis

    Hiking Illinois’s White Rock Nature Preserve

    If you are looking for an Illinois hike big on views and low on crowds, check out White Rock Nature Preserve. Located near the more popular Salt Lick Point Reserve, White Rock is less well known and offers a quieter experience. The trails at White Rock also stay further back from steep bluff edges for those with young children or a fear of heights. History of White Rock Preserve During the Great Depression, miners cut and hauled limestone from the…