Forest Park is one of the best places to get outdoors in St. Louis.

Outdoors

No matter where you go in St. Louis, you’re never far from green space.

Forest Park, the green lung of the Gateway City, which is almost 500 acres larger than New York City’s Central Park, boasts a beautiful landscape sprinkled with old-growth forests, restored forests and woodlands, wetlands, tallgrass prairies and savannas. Walk on more than 30 miles of paths or explore the Emerson Grand Basin in a canoe. If you like sports, take advantage of the golf courses, tennis courts, skating rink and cricket field.

Additionally, St. Louis has a wellspring of public parks, miles of trails and an abundance of thrilling waterways. Whether you like to hike, bike or paddle, the region’s enchanting locales will help you create your next great outdoor adventure.

Looking for seasonal activities? St. Louis offers exciting places to swim, bird watch, ski and sled throughout the year. You can even pick your own produce at local farms and admire public art at open-air museums.

Whenever you visit, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get outside and stay active during your trip to St. Louis.

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Adventure Valley Zipline Tours

Ten-zipline canopy tour and paintball park. More than 1.5 miles of ziplines, an 1,100 ft. long 50 mph "super-zip" and a ride in a six-seater...

Gateway Region YMCA - Downtown at the MX

If you are looking for a complete experience to give you an opportunity to nurture your body and spirit for years to come, an ordinary...

Great Rivers Greenway

Great Rivers Greenway is the public agency connecting the St. Louis region with greenways. With 128 miles built so far (and more underway!) you can...

Locust Street Athletic & Swim Club

Immersed within a historic St. Louis building that once thrived as a recreational haven, Locust Street Athletic and Swim Club proudly honors its origins while...

Mastodon State Historic Site

Museum of Missouri’s Ice Age animals and the Native Americans who hunted them more than 10,000 years ago. Picnic area, trails. Adults, $4; under 15,...

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge

Historic Route 66 crossing over the Mississippi River. One of the world's longest bicycle/pedestrian bridges.

Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

Three woodland trails on 112 acres. Nature Center features exhibits, wildlife viewing area and gift shop. Closed Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.

Riverboats at The Gateway Arch

Enjoy a narrated, one-hour sightseeing cruise or a Skyline dinner cruise with live music, a delicious buffet and the best view of St. Louis (reservations...

Rockwoods Reservation

Offering 1,843 acres of rugged forest with springs and streams. Trails, picnic areas and education center with exhibits and classroom. Building is handicap-accessible.

Route 66 State Park

A 419-acre park with multi-use trails located on old Route 66. Museum features Route 66 memorabilia. Gift shop. Picnic areas. Boat ramp provides access to...

St. Louis County Parks and Recreation

St. Louis County Parks offers a variety of recreational, educational and historic activities: wildlife drive, display farm, transportation museum, army post museum, sculpture park, fishing,...

Shaw Nature Reserve

Twenty-four hundred acres of natural Ozark landscape with 1.5 miles of Meramec River frontage and a diversity of native plant and animal habitats. Ponds, prairies,...