Get Out and Explore the Best Parks in St. Louis

How many major cities have a national park in their downtown? Just one, and you’re looking at it! Starting at the banks of the Mississippi River, Gateway Arch National Park spans 90 acres, encompassing the Gateway Arch, the Museum at the Gateway Arch, the Old Courthouse and the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch. During your visit, take the tram to the top of the 630-foot-tall monument – we promise that the cool factor greatly outweighs the fear factor. Back on the ground, examine westward expansion from multiple viewpoints, discover the story of Dred and Harriet Scott and get a fresh perspective of St. Louis’ working riverfront. On Laclede’s Landing, The Cobblestone STL offers picnics full of local goodies if you just want to relax among the beautiful park grounds.

Stretching some 1,300 acres, Forest Park is approximately 500 acres larger than Central Park. In 1904, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition drew more than 19 million visitors from across the globe to the urban oasis, and today, it encompasses world-class institutions, including the Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Zoo, Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis Science Center and The Muny, which keep people coming back. More than 30 miles of walking and biking trails traverse Forest Park, which also boasts more than 190 acres of nature reserves that provide a positive environmental impact, natural balance, educational opportunities and appealing aesthetics, all within the heart of a highly urban area. Throughout the park, golf courses, tennis courts, basketball courts, racquetball courts, a skating rink and a cricket field encourage visitors to get active – plus, Big Muddy Adventures rents paddleboats, canoes and kayaks in spring, summer and fall for miniature expeditions of Post-Dispatch Lake.

A designated location on the Great Missouri Birding Trail with more than 7,000 trees, including rare and exotic species, Tower Grove Park serves as a natural refuge for more than 200 species of birds – so don’t forget your binoculars when you visit! This wooded Victorian park features grassy meadows, shade trees and picturesque pavilions, perfect for picnicking, doing yoga and simply relaxing. You can also spend a sunny afternoon playing pickleball, watching the kids on the playground or wandering around the Tower Grove Farmers’ Market, which is open April to November on Tuesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

An extension of the Missouri Botanical Garden, Shaw Nature Reserve has grown from 1,300 acres in 1925 to 2,400 acres in 2025. Sitting at the juncture of several major Midwest habitats, the reserve’s native biodiversity provides an exceptional classroom for those who want to learn more about the natural environment. “Our mission is to make the ecological benefits of environmental protection relevant and meaningful to people’s everyday lives.” Plan your visit around a special event such as a guided prairie hike, serene sunset stroll, free outdoor concert or seasonal wildflower market. Looking for peace and quiet? Choose between myriad hiking trails and see where they take you.

It’s a deer. It’s a bison. It’s a wild turkey! Lone Elk Park, a 546-acre wildlife management area, offers frequent wildlife sightings whether you drive or walk through the park. If your travel companions can handle it, follow the White Bison Trail – a three-mile loop with twists and climbs – for the opportunity to spot white-tailed deer, elk, waterfowl and more. If you can’t get enough animal encounters, Lone Elk Park abuts the World Bird Sanctuary, where you can meet rehabilitated birds of prey such as an American kestrel, bald eagle, barred owl, Egyptian vulture and peregrine falcon.

Many St. Louis parks are known for their scenic trails, pristine waterways, native flora and adorable fauna. At Laumeier Sculpture Park, it’s the larger-than-life art that stands out. Meandering along the walking trail through the 105-acre, open-air museum and sculpture park, you get a close-up view of more than 60 outdoor sculptures. Some pieces dominate grassy fields where you might find visitors doing yoga, enjoying a picnic or reading a book, while others hide among the foliage, which creates a fiery backdrop in the fall. “This is a place where we can talk about art and nature [together],” curator Dana Turkovic explains. “That’s our specialty. We invite everyone to the park – it’s free and open to the public – and although some of the art is challenging, there is an educational aspect, too.” Laumeier Sculpture Park also hosts highly anticipated events, including the Laumeier Art Fair over Mother’s Day weekend and Laumeier After Dark in November.

At the heart of Creve Coeur Park, a 320-acre lake offers beach vibes and recreational activities such as stand-up paddleboarding. Recently, the St. Louis County Department of Parks partnered with Great Rivers Greenway to create a water trail – and a brand-new way to experience Creve Coeur Lake. The six-mile journey winds across the lake and up the creek, giving visitors a unique look at the history, along with the flora and fauna, of the area. Want to go for a spin? Tackle Bootlegger’s Run, where cyclists face multiple ravine crossings, dips and turns. Slow down to soak up the sun or speed up to make the ride more exhilarating. The park also offers archery, disc golf, playgrounds and a splash pad for adventurers of all ages.

Nestled within 112 acres of oak-hickory forest in a quiet corner of Kirkwood, Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center introduces people of all ages to the wonders of the natural world. One of the three trails through the park features interpretive signage, and inside the nature center, you’ll find interesting exhibits, including a 3,000-gallon aquarium and a working beehive, which offer something for every season. Among the trees, listen and look for white-tailed deer, wild turkeys and red-shouldered hawks – if you make your way down to the creek, you might also see snapping turtles, salamanders and frogs.

In the early 1900s, Castlewood State Park was the site of epic dance parties. Today, the music comes from songbirds and other wildlife, but visitors can still get their blood pumping on the park’s hiking and biking trails. The River Scene Trail, a three-mile loop, traverses a series of limestone bluffs overlooking the Meramec River before descending into the valley below via a long wooden staircase. While you’re at the park, you might want to explore the Grotpeter Trail, as well. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, refuel at the nearby location of Sugarfire Smoke House, where the chef-driven ’cue plucks the best traditions out of U.S. cities to create St. Louis-style barbecue that’s all its own.

Located in a floodplain at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area features wetlands, forests and open fields, as well as a level, paved trail that’s part of the Missouri River Greenway. Each year, the Missouri Department of Conservation plants fields of sunflowers within the 4,300-acre conservation area, and in July and August, people flock from near and far to snap selfies with the sunny flower faces. On your way to or from the conservation area, stop by Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum for more under-the-radar nature. An accredited Level III Arboretum, the beloved local landmark encompasses more than 9,500 trees, representing 560 species. As you wander beneath the branches, you’ll discover the rich history of the St. Louis region while getting all your steps for the day!

On a picturesque plot of land in St. Louis County, approximately 25 minutes from downtown St. Louis, Suson Park boasts a wonderful playground, catch-and-release fishing and a working animal farm. Kids can get up close and personal with cows, horses, pigs, sheep, chickens and turkeys, or you and your family can take a leisurely stroll around the grounds. Pack a picnic and enjoy a bite in one of the three shelters in the park. If you’re looking for another outdoor activity south of the city, take flight at Adventure Valley, where 10 zip lines propel you through a beautiful, wooded ridge. On one zip line, which is more than 1,100 feet long, you can reach speeds up to 50 miles per hour! Back on solid ground, Adventure Valley has a paintball park, which is open on Saturdays and Sundays for those 12 and older.

Tucked in the middle of tree-lined streets, stately homes, charming eateries and other social establishments, Lafayette Park features native grasses, towering trees, various flowers, trickling waterfalls and iconic iron bridges. Dedicated in 1851, the 30-acre oasis is the oldest urban park west of the Mississippi River. The green space is usually peaceful, filled with only the sounds of nature, but from June to September, a free concert series picks up the tempo. On select Saturdays in the summer, you can enjoy blues, jazz, rock, Motown, swing, salsa, electronic and more al fresco. Outside the park, take a leisurely stroll around Lafayette Square to marvel at the “Painted Ladies,” meticulously restored 150-year-old Victorian mansions doused in vibrant hues of yellow, salmon, green, blue and purple.