This place was really neat. It had the world bird sanctuary which included an Andean condor, bald eagles, all kinds of owls and many other birds. Then just a little bit down the road is an elk and bison Sanctuary that you can drive through. Check out the photos but Ive attached. I think youll find this place is definitely worth it and the best part is that its totally free. I was happy to make a donation for the service that they provide.
This is amazing trial experience I had in recent times. Must visit place with friends and family. Ample parking spots. Trail path is well marked and maintained. Every few steps, there is spots to sit back and relax with wooden benches. Purposely there are plenty of viewing decks which give wide panoramic views from top. From top, whole area looks green with thick forest and Meramec river flowing down and railway track.Word of caution- always watch out for big spiders.All in all must visit place
A very pleasant hike. I like that it is a circular path such that you end up where you started if you keep going in the same direction. also really like the staircase in place to get up to or down from the top of the bluff. beautiful view of the meremec River all along the bluff top. also appreciated the seating placed around the special viewing spots. its a great hike to take at any pace. I think its about 4 to 5 miles depending on which parking lot you start from.
Castlewood State Park is my FAVORITE park in the metro area. The views on the trails are absolutely breathtaking all year round. The fall is my favorite time, as the changing of the leaves is gorgeous! The trail up the side of the cliffs is moderately difficult in the beginning, but is easier going down as there are stairs at the end. The park also has river access, playgrounds, restrooms, large fields and bike trails! This is a 5 star park for any nature lover!
Nice walk along the river. You get the best of both worlds — climb the bluff for views from above including scenic overlooks — cross under the railroad tracks to walk along the river from the lowlands. Great tree climbing opportunities. Not overly crowded once you go 3 tenths of a mile or so. Well marked and pet friendly. Had a great time and would do it again.
Had a great day in Castlewood Park never been there before. Being down in the canyon looking up at the rock formations the trees to wind blowing through the canyon and when the cars werent going along Highway 83 the silence was so deafening news beautiful. Highly recommend this place for only $9 a day your family you and your significant other whomever you bring or friends
My Daughter amd I try to plan a day of hiking each quarter and found a gem in Castlewood State Park. There is a wide range of terrain and exceptional views. We were able to include our dog in the fun but she couldnt understand why the deer and chipmunks didnt want to play. We hiked over 6 miles on 3 different trails and had an awesome day.
This park has amazing views. Especially in the Fall.Main Trails can get a bit crowded on nice days but dont let that deter you from visitingrunning,hiking, biking and equestrian trails for any level of fitness.Tons of picnic areas and pavilions for larger gatherings.Absolutely love this park.
Amazing place to go lone hike, with a group or family..There are several parking lots and several trails 5-7 I believe. They range from easy to moderate.. on the tails you can see many different views..Restrooms as well!
A really nice park, just wish the restrooms werent closed for the season already.
This place was AMAZING! felt like I was out of the country! Lol
Very crowded on a Saturday morning. Lots of cars circling around looking for parking. The hike itself was pretty good, but there are better ones in the area. I prefer the Lewis & Clark Trail in Weldon Spring, for example, because the view is just as nice and there are far fewer people.
Best park in St. Louis County, excellent for all park activities, especially hiking.
It was beautiful day. My daughter my dog Max and I enjoyed the views at the top of the hike.
Beautiful park year round. Scenic trails for hiking, running, and cycling. The creek is another bonus. Ive never had a bad experience with people there either.
I have fallen in love with this park so much. I have visited a couple of times now. And the place is so calm, hardly people around. It gives a chance to enjoy the place without any distraction. If you are lucky, you will be able to catch few glimpses of deers too. What more you want to wind up a day ?
Great park with hiking views, mountain biking trails, Meramec River, Lincoln Beach with white sand. Parking space should be more as many people will be visiting this place.
I love to bring my rc cars and trail crawl at this park. Many different pathes and hiking trails to keep you interested in coming back time after time.
Close to home for me, and a nice place for a day hike . Its always busy with a lot of hikers, still its pretty nice, not a challenging hike, good for kids, or just taking a leisurely hike. I go all the time . See ya there . ST
Very nice park. You can swim just be very careful the current is very strong
One of the best state parks in Missouri, there are many trails to tread and paths to wander. Scenic views abound no matter where you decide to explore; a point to consider, this park is jam packed on the weekends and holidays, make sure to plan your visit ahead of time unless you go on a weekday.
Variety of trails, beautiful views of the Meramec from the bluffs.
Been going here since my childhood. Its way more than your typical park. Great for family events, massive hiking trails, and if you bike then youre in for a treat, there are several hiking trails of differing difficulty. Grab a map and plan out your day. Be careful, the bluffs on some of the trails have treacherous drops, but the views are gorgeous!
Neat trails, clean park. Lots of people using the park. Kind of disappointed that they blocked all river access.
Amazing place to wander and experience nature up close. Deer are plentiful, best early morning or just before sundown. Possum at dusk. Turkey vultures spring and summer.
I dont want you guys coming in droves, I walked along the stream awhile with my dog and nephew and it was gorgeous, the stream was nice and cool and we only saw deer and a couple people swimming on our walk. I recommend it but hope this doesnt make it so its crowded next time I go
Great trails, great views, peaceful and relaxing.
Castlewood State Park is a very nice park for being so close to the city. The trails are well kept and blazed. There are often good chances to see wild life on the trails. You can see more about our visits on Happy Trails Hiking on YouTube.
Love that you can go down to the river and walk and spread out from the trails. Nice gem in the STL area.
Beautiful park with easy to moderate trails to meet all skill levels. Scenic river and cliffside views, as well as a play structure for kids, pavilions for eating and restroom accommodations. Very pet and kid friendly. This is one of my favorite spots in the greater St. Louis area.
Good family park with hiking trails for all ages. Lots of parking but still gets very busy especially on sunny days in the middle of winter. There is a playground that is currently under construction and trails for mountain biking. The views are decent and the harder trail is rocky for a good workout.
So many birds to see! It was a great experience. The volunteers are very friendly and answered our questions! Very clean area, well maintained
A great 1hr hike. The red trail was short but a good way to get rid of some cobwebs from quarantine. The views were amazing and it made for a great day.
Over crowded on weekends. Dont even bother. They turn you away 1/4 of the way through. Playgrounds closed for covid. Closed after bridge.
Its a great little place to go for a hike. You can enjoy a leisurely stroll thru any of the three trails. Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city even though its minutes away. Bike thru the trails if thats what you are into. Enjoy a spot of Bald eagle watching especially along the scenic river hike. Its nice and quiet. You can sit at any of the scenic areas on benches or lookouts. Just remember to bring your own hydration. Ive even seen people doing some free climbs along my hike.
Good park for hike and scenic views.Need to wait for parking on weekends
The park was beautiful, very crowded on a sunny warm November day.
Nice hike along bluffs with great views of forested hills and the river..nice lowland hike along the river, good spot for picnics, has large open fields for sport activities.
This is a gem in the vicinity of city of St.Louis. So many trails to walk through and streams to wade through in hot weather. And camping near the Meremec river is also attractive option. Just a very well maintained state park!!!! Families and adventure seekers alike will love it.
One of my favorite places to go hiking
Beautiful. A fun creek! Long, good hike.
AWESOME! Love this park! Great hikes, Creek and river access, dog friendly, playgrounds, shelters and picking areas. Is often busy, especially on weekends
The scenery is absolutely beautiful, and the trails are really nice. The park is also pet friendly
Nice trails with plenty of secluded areas along the river and creeks. It can get busy on the weekends and parking can get tight. There are also nice places to kayak or canoe here, just keep in mind that there are dangerous areas in the river where people have drowned. Its a popular place to take dogs as well.
For a lot of folks, this is their favorite park. Its common to see deer. Theres a variety of trails to walk or bike or horse ride. Theres the castle in the woods at the top of the hill. There are pavillions for reservation. Sometimes this park is very crowded with people, so its good to know when to find a less crowded experience.We cant talk about Castlewood without talking about people who come to swim in the Meramec River, because of those who have died here. This river is not a place to swim, because of the strong, erratic currents and the underwater natural hazards. A seasoned swimmer could die here. A swimmer in a life jacket could die here. Kids often die here. Before you bring a group of kids here that will swim, consider this - are you okay if some of them never go home?
Love Castlewood for hiking and biking! Well-maintained trails and great views with scenic overlook stops. Convenient facilities throughout the park.
It was really fun and i defently felt like i lost waight
Beautiful scenery! Loose sharp rocks in some trails, so you have to be careful. A walking stick would be recommended for the unsteady.
The trail is challenging...especially for 1st timers like me! However, the views along the way AND especially from the top are worth the climb!
Good park for hiking with dogs. Can be busy at peak times. The trees keep you cool even during the hottest part of the day.
I had a few hours to kill and i was passing through ballwin MO and using alltrails APP came across castlewood state park and the lone wolf trail. im sure glad i took the time to do this very easy to follow 1.7 mile loop trail. it only has a elevation level of 223 feet and a very level walk at the top. even tho it was January you really get some nice views from the cliff edge and the trail has some nice red dirt and rock formations. at one point there is a bench to enjoy one of the views so you might want to bring a book or a lunch. a great place for a quick hike, jog or walk with mans best friend. if you have young kids this would make an excellent trail to introduce them to nature and hiking. the park ranger was was really cool to talk with and had some really great suggestions for trail and historic sites to see outside of the park. i found the park and the ranger a real pleasure to visit. i wish i had more time to explore the rest of the park.
Great hiking trails. You can bring yr dog!
Family took me for Fathers Day... Great time, awesome views, lots of routes, breathe of fresh air and great over all experience!
It was really a beautiful hike, trail was marked well and easy to follow! Definitely coming back!
One of the best and most beautiful Stateparks that Ive been too
Love hiking here! Today it was raining leaves and acorns. Unbelievable!!!!
Tha places is beautiful my nephews are having a great time and it loved the river
Beautiful trails... every time I go out to trail hike I see something new
Something for all ages & perfect place to take a social dog. Be lazy down buy the river or a creek or see how you do with the breathtaking hike that includes well over 100 stairs. My favorite place to hike in STL
Castlewood State Park is so beautiful! There are a wide variety of trails to choose from. You can hike to the top of the highest hill and See For Miles. Or if you prefer you can walk along the river bank through the shade trees. It is a great for the whole family.
So pretty. I would definitely go again as well as recommend.
Awesome Place and within close reach .. they have multiple trails and Will definitely go again
Saw a lot of bison this trip. Its a good quick get out of the house activity with the kids.
Best park in st louis and greater area. Doggy approved
A nice state park with lot of trails.
Such pretty place
Very nice tails. A little too crowded for my liking. Trail heads are not very well marked.
Nice trails and nice little park.
Let’s be honest, folks. Either you hate it or love it, am I right? If you don’t.... well don’t come here and save your 1-Star review for a bank or a lawyer.With that being said this place is beautiful. Trails, river, areas to set up and grill with a group. It’s a fantastic park and one of the many parks Missouri has to offer. For those looking for ideas this is my recommendation.Pack a cooler with food and beverages. Come early in the morning and start your day with a trek through one of the trails. If you like riding bikes bring that instead of going on foot. After making a run through the trials you then bust out the cooler and lounge out on the river. It’s worth every moment.
Well kept, nice pavilions. Creek with nice swimming area, with easy access.
Its nice place to hike and spend quality time with family. But weekends is very busy so parking could be a challenge.
Great place to mountain bike and relax. Very helpful staff explained where all the trails are located.
Beautiful day for a hike at a lovely park. Easy hike along high bluffs.
Such a cute little park with a few good trails, covered patios with tables, and plenty of spots for a picnic. The hills can be a tad intense at times, so be careful! Avoid peak times if you want a decent parking spot!
Just beautiful!
Great place to check out nature, views and take a hike.
Castlewood has beautiful bluffs, great hiking trails and a peaceful river.
Awesome trail. Half of the distance is moderate hiking, rest is plain. Not suitable for strollers.
Amazing scenery for being this close to a city and easy walking paths. And people are always walking their dogs so you can be sure youll have a great time petting one of those~
There is so much to see and do in this area! Bird Sanctuary, Lone Elk Park, Endangered Wolf Center, Bison, Shaw Nature Reserve. Its amazing what you can do just a few minutes from St Louis. We love driving down here to the forest and see animals you cant see elsewhere. If you like nature and animals then you should visit any of these beautiful places and the wonderful people who take care of them.
This is one of the best parks to hike at with its variation in terrain. There is also a play ground for the kids, a party area for if you want to host a party, and a nice creak and river. Castlewood state park also sometimes hosts outdoor events and on top of all of that, there is a camping area. Overall this is a great park to visit with your family and/or friends, just dont liter please.
Beautiful park just outside of the St Louis metro, to escape all that is urban. Reconnect with nature and take in amazing views as you climb to the top, where you can look out at some amazing scenery. This is a cool place to picnic in the summer and fall. It is a dog friendly area as well. Happy exploring!
Pretty along the water. Variety of trail types.
Great place to hike, bring kids or dogs, picnic
Awesome trail and the views are amazing.
Went hiking on the Red trail. Great views of the Merrimack river. Trail was marked and had plenty of locations for picture ops.
Castlewood State Park has hiking biking swimming a playground BBQ pits picnic benches dining pavilionsIf you are athletic enough to hike the mountain you can go up the trails to the mountainside bluff with scenic vues overlooking the Merrimack River valley and see on the opposite river bank Lone Elk Park
Great clean park
If you get there early it is actually a great place to hike and check out the river!
Great hike, but but too difficult for kids
Beautiful park on the Meramec River!
Best place for hiking and nice spots. There are some spots to do grill and have a happy place.
Beautiful views! I like that there are different trail options here and the views are fantastic! It reminded me of a midwestern version of the Torrey Pines trail in California, where you can see the ocean along the trail. I enjoyed seeing the river during my walk and giving my dog plenty of other dogs to meet!
- Address:1401 Kiefer Creek Rd, Ballwin, MO 63021, United States
- Site:http://mostateparks.com/park/castlewood-state-park
- Phone:+1 636-227-4433
- State park
- Tourist attraction
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance:Yes
- Good for kids:Yes
- Public toilet:Yes