Best Backpacking Destinations in St. Louis, Missouri, United States

All Topics about St. Louis All Cities in United States

1. Forest Park

One of the largest urban parks in the United States with over 1,300 acres to explore, featuring hiking trails, museums, and scenic views.

Historical Significance: Home to several historical landmarks such as the World's Fair Pagodas and the Muny, America's oldest outdoor music theatre.
Cultural Richness: Boasts world-class museums like the Saint Louis Art Museum, Science Center, and History Museum.
Natural Beauty: Features a picturesque lagoon, numerous fountains, and an array of plant species within its lush greenery.

A scenic hiking trail offering panoramic views of the Mississippi River and the Illinois bluffs from an elevated vantage point.

Natural Wonders: Provides breathtaking vistas that showcase the meeting point of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.
Historical Perspective: Follows part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, offering insights into early American explorers' journey.
Wildlife Sightings: Offers opportunities to observe local wildlife such as eagles, herons, and deer along the trail.

America's largest commercial show cave featuring unique geological formations and historic ties to the Jesse James gang.

Geological Wonders: Displays a variety of stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and draperies within its vast cavern system.
Historical Interest: Associated with the infamous Jesse James gang, who used the caverns as a hiding place during their criminal activities.
Adventure Opportunities: Offers guided tours, boat rides, and wildlife sightseeing for a unique underground experience.

America's first national riverway featuring pristine streams, crystal-clear pools, and rugged bluffs.

Pristine Wilderness: Provides access to untouched wilderness areas along the Current and Jacks Fork rivers.
Outdoor Activities: Offers opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and camping within its scenic landscape.
Historical Significance: Features historic sites like Alley Mill, a restored water-powered gristmill from the early 20th century.

A picturesque park offering hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and a historic stone bridge.

Scenic Vistas: Features stunning views of the Meramec River and surrounding bluffs from its various overlooks.
Historic Bridge: Boasts the historic Castleman's Mill Stone Arch Bridge, built in the early 1900s.
Outdoor Activities: Provides opportunities for hiking, picnicking, and birdwatching within its wooded terrain.

A unique park offering historic structures, a restored pioneer village, and scenic hiking trails.

Historical Immersion: Offers an authentic look at life in the early 1800s through its preserved buildings and artifacts.
Scenic Vistas: Features a scenic overlook offering panoramic views of the Meramec River valley.
Outdoor Activities: Provides opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife sightseeing within its wooded terrain.

A scenic area featuring diverse habitats, hiking trails, and opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Diverse Habitats: Includes wetlands, woodlands, prairies, and floodplain forests, providing diverse ecosystems to explore.
Wildlife Opportunities: Offers opportunities for birdwatching, deer spotting, and observing other local wildlife.
Hiking Trails: Features a network of hiking trails, offering various lengths and difficulties for different skill levels.

A protected sanctuary for migratory waterfowl featuring wetlands, grasslands, and hiking trails.

Wildlife Sanctuary: Provides a safe haven for numerous species of birds, mammals, and reptiles.
Habitat Diversity: Features diverse habitats such as wetlands, grasslands, forests, and croplands.
Outdoor Activities: Offers opportunities for birdwatching, hiking, fishing, and photography.

A scenic park featuring a massive lake, hiking trails, and opportunities for boating and fishing.

Scenic Lake: Offers beautiful views of the massive Lake of the Ozarks from its various overlooks.
Outdoor Activities: Provides opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking within its wooded terrain.
Wildlife Sightings: Offers chances to spot local wildlife such as white-tailed deer, beavers, and a variety of bird species.

A unique wildlife reserve featuring diverse habitats, opportunities for up-close wildlife viewing, and educational programs.

Wildlife Opportunities: Offers opportunities to observe rare and endangered species such as bison, river otters, and black bears.
Educational Programs: Provides educational programs about the wildlife and conservation efforts within the park.
Habitat Diversity: Features diverse habitats including forests, wetlands, grasslands, and prairies.

A scenic park featuring unique geological formations, crystal-clear pools, and opportunities for hiking and swimming.

Geological Wonders: Displays natural geological formations such as chutes and cascades created by the Black River.
Outdoor Activities: Provides opportunities for hiking, swimming, picnicking, and wildlife sightseeing within its wooded terrain.
Scenic Vistas: Offers picturesque views of the Black River and its unique geological features.

A scenic park featuring a lake, hiking trails, and opportunities for fishing, boating, and camping.

Scenic Lake: Offers beautiful views of the Clearwater Lake from its various overlooks.
Outdoor Activities: Provides opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking within its wooded terrain.
Camping Opportunities: Offers campsites for overnight stays, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the park's natural beauty.

A forested park offering hiking trails, scenic vistas, and opportunities for wildlife sightseeing.

Scenic Vistas: Features scenic overlooks offering panoramic views of the St. Francis River valley.
Outdoor Activities: Provides opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife sightseeing within its wooded terrain.
Natural Beauty: Offers a serene environment surrounded by lush forests, clear streams, and vibrant wildflowers.

The highest point in Missouri featuring a scenic overlook, hiking trails, and opportunities for wildlife sightseeing.

Scenic Vistas: Offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape from its elevated vantage point.
Outdoor Activities: Provides opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife sightseeing within its wooded terrain.
Natural Beauty: Features a unique ecosystem with diverse flora and fauna found only in the Ozark Mountains.

A vast forest offering hiking trails, scenic vistas, and opportunities for wildlife sightseeing.

Scenic Vistas: Features numerous overlooks offering panoramic views of the Ozark Mountains and surrounding valleys.
Outdoor Activities: Provides opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife sightseeing within its expansive wilderness.
Historical Interest: Honors the literary legacy of Mark Twain through interpretative exhibits and historical sites within the forest.