Need to clear your head between classes or escape the buzz of campus for a few hours? You don’t have to wander far — St. Louis is surrounded by trails that offer everything from peaceful forest walks to breathtaking hilltop views of the Mississippi River. Whether you’re looking for a quick afternoon stroll, a weekend adventure, a study-break picnic, or a serious workout, these hikes are perfect for anyone looking to touch grass. Lace up your sneakers, grab a friend (or your headphones), and hit one of these trails.

Bluff View Trail 

Wildwood, Missouri — 23.3 miles from campus

Trail length: 2.3 miles

Bluff View Park offers a scenic overlook of Meramec Valley and Meramec River, just half a mile from the parking lot! Besides this short loop, the rest of the park’s trails, which total over 12 miles, wind down through the forest toward the river. The path mostly consists of a twisting natural surface popular with dirt bikers, while the lower part of the park is paved with gravel, making it more ideal for runners and dog-walkers. The park, which encompasses over 100 acres of land, is roughly a 30-minute drive from campus.

Laurel Wang | Senior Scene Editor

Chubb Trail

Meramec Township, Missouri — 19.8 miles from campus

Trail length: 13.6 miles

Chubb Trail is just one of the many routes that run through Castlewood State Park in Ballwin, a 30-minute drive west of St. Louis. Once a “popular retreat for partying St. Louisans” (according to the Missouri State Parks website), the park now offers calmer pleasures in the form of winding trails that traverse the Meramec Valley. As the longest trail in Castlewood, Chubb Trail begins in Lone Elk County Park, runs alongside the length of Castlewood State Park, and ends in West Tyson County Park, near an endangered wolf facility and WashU’s own Tyson Research Center. The path runs through the forested hills on a natural surface that includes bumpy terrain and a rocky path with occasional shifting rocks. Both ends of the trail are relatively steep, while the middle of the trail passes through more level fields and rolling hills. For those looking for a shorter route, check out the Castlewood Loop.

Laurel Wang | Senior Scene Editor

White Bison Loop

Valley Park, Missouri — 18.3 miles from campus

Trail length: 3.1 miles

Forget your metropolitan misery and get up close and personal with elk and bison on this trail, only a 30-minute drive from the city! This lightly forested, natural surface trail loops around Lone Elk Reservoir. Although the trail itself isn’t too challenging, be prepared for occasional wildlife encounters and elk-related traffic detours, especially during mating season.

Fort Belle Fontaine Loop

St. Louis, Missouri — 15 miles from campus

Trail Length: 2.7 miles

Head north toward the former Fort Belle Fontaine, situated right on the edge of Coldwater Creek and the Missouri River. Built in 1805, the fort once served as a trading post and the first American fort west of the Mississippi. The 305.6-acre park is more peaceful these days under the dominion of St. Louis County Parks, although the ruins of the fort and later limestone structures are still accessible around the trail. This includes the “grand staircase,” which leads down to the riverside. The trail itself wraps a neat, gravel-paved loop around Fort Belle Fontaine Park.

Cliff Cave Park

St. Louis, Missouri — 17.3 miles from campus

Trail length: 3.4 miles

Cliff Cave once served as a tavern for French fur traders, a natural wine cellar, and storage for Anheuser-Busch beer. Although the cave today has a slightly less boozy reputation, the surrounding trails, which border the Mississippi River, are sure to generate enough endorphins to make you feel just as buzzed. Portions of the trail are paved, while the rockier and steeper sections are less accessible. Considered the second-longest cave system in St. Louis County, the cave has been closed off since 2009, so you (hopefully) won’t find spelunkers around, although the cave is still home to a variety of bats, including the endangered Indiana Bat.

Laumeier Sculpture Park

St. Louis, Missouri — 10.5 miles from campus

Trail length: 1.3 miles

Although perhaps not as strictly earthy as other trails, the Laumeier Sculpture Park offers a paved, easy walk around 70 works of outdoor art, including adventurous views of a giant blue eyeball (Tony Tasset, “Eye”) and towering red oil drums (Alexander Liberman, “The Way”). Step off the beaten path into a more forested jaunt through the woods behind the park, or simply sit on a bench and meditate on the artwork all around you.

Forest Park: Kennedy Forest Boardwalk

St. Louis, Missouri — 2.2 miles from campus

Trail length: 3.5 miles

Getting outside and into nature doesn’t have to mean a long drive — we’re fortunate to have a campus that runs right along Forest Park. Encompassing a whopping 1,326 acres, Forest Park ranks among the largest urban parks in the U.S., and there are plenty of routes to explore. The Kennedy Forest borders Wydown-Skinker in the southwest corner of the park, but it’s easy to get lost in the leafy expanse of this 60-acre area, which offers prime birding opportunities. Even non-avian enthusiasts will find the paved and gravel trails along this wetland a welcome retreat within the city.

Laurel Wang | Senior Scene EditorJohnson’s Shut-Ins

Middle Brook, Missouri — 104 miles from campus

Trail length: 2.4 miles

Although this state park requires a two-hour drive, the gorgeous natural waterways and woodlands of the Ozarks make this park a must-visit. Situated around the East Fork of the Black River, the Shut-Ins trail begins with an accessible, paved walk toward an overlook of the namesake formations before developing into a steep path through the forest and down to the river. Once you’ve braved the path, though, the Shut-Ins offer a “natural water park” perfect for wading, picnicking, and swimming. If you’re planning to swim, check water levels beforehand and invest in water shoes — the river bottom is covered in a layer of slippery moss. This location is extremely popular during the summer months and holidays, so plan to arrive early. The Ozarks make for a perfect weekend trip; while you’re in the area, be sure to check out Elephant Rocks State Park, Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, and the Mark Twain National Forest.

Laurel Wang | Senior Scene Editor

Laurel Wang | Senior Scene Editor