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Castlewood State Park
Categories: Active Life Parks Active Life Hiking Active Life Boating Parks, Hiking, Boating [Edit]
152 Kiefer Creek RdBallwin, MO 63021
Neighborhood: Ellisville
(636) 227-4433
- Nearest Transit:
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Manchester Rd @ Clarkson Rd (57)
Manchester Rd @ Pretoria Dr (57)
Manchester Rd @ Devore Dr (57, 58X)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7 am - 8 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
17 reviews for Castlewood State Park
17 reviews in English
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Review from Annie K.
St Louis, MO
11/10/2011
Whenever the fall rolls around, I always think about Castlewood State Park. This place is gorgeous especially when the leaves are all changing colors. It's bit of a trek for me to get to Ballwin, but well worth it. The trails are well kept and there are always people out and about playing games in the field or hiking/running in one of the many trails. But not to worry, it's not too crowded either.
Perhaps I'll see you out on the River Scene Trail! -
Review from Cherie O.
11/8/2010
I'm not really an outdoors kind of girl. But the boyfriend is...so I occasionally give nature a try. We've been to Castlewood several times, and I really do like it a lot. It is pretty gorgeous, especially in the fall.
The best trail is the River Scenic Trail. It's basically a straight climb up the limestone bluffs...to gorgeous views of the Meramec. Little trails offshoot from the main one, so there is plenty to explore. The main trail then switchbacks for a little bit downhill before hitting a bunch of stairs and underneath the tracks to meander along the river.
There are several trails to follow...and we haven't hit all of them. I think that the trail that used to link the River Scenic Trail and the Stinging Nettle Loop and the Cedar Bluff Loop is currently closed, courtesy of the railroad and secondary to the trail being washed out and too close to the river.
When it's warm out, it does get pretty loud with tons of people on the trail. Most are friendly. Some of the mountain bikers are fast though...so watch out. -
Review from Josh M.
Valley Park, MO
11/29/2011
Best park in St. Louis county hands down. I love climbing to the top for the view, and to watch the trains go by.
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Review from Joe B.
10/21/2010
Unless you hate nature, there's no reason why you shouldn't spend a few hours at Castlewood at least once. For starters, it's close and it's free. Early on the hiking trail, splendid vistas await you at the top of steep limestone bluffs, if you have the quads to reach them. Honestly if your legs work, that shouldn't be much of a problem. After viewing the Meramec River from above, the trail goes gently downhill and leads you alongside the river with multiple opportunities to dip your toes in.
The trail throughout is clearly marked and fairly easy to tread. I saw hikers, runners, bikers, fishers, campers and dogs. The "something for everyone" approach, coupled with the proximity to civilization, means you'll run into a few other people during the day. But unless you're seeking extreme solitude, this is an ideal park to visit. -
Review from Jackie W.
6/28/2010
if you're a runner and are looking for different landscapes to run, try out Castlewood. The river trail is only 3 miles, but the incline makes it moderately difficult. It starts out level, then rides up a steep set of steps, great work out for your leg muscles, and just when you think you're at the top..you're not! But, it makes the run down all the more sweeter, and you feel a great sense of accomplishment at the end.
Next time I go I plan on running it twice, whew!Listed in: Choose Your Own (Outdoor)…
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Review from Becca L.
5/4/2011
Castlewood is undoubtedly beautiful and I have spent quite a bit of time walking the trails with the dog but after moving to the city I realized I don't really love it enough to drive all the way out there. If I am in the neighborhood I will definitely stop by and enjoy the park but it's not some place I will generally go out of my way for. Best to go here when its not a holiday weekend or hasn't recently rained, but if you are in the neighborhood and looking for some decent trails, definitely stop by.
Listed in: $free.99
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Review from Christine F.
Tower Grove South, Saint Louis, MO
5/23/2011
Castlewood is worth driving out there for the beautiful hiking along the river and scenic bluffs. Also, friendly and helpful staff at the main office. It's really nice having a State Park in the STL area. Nice little slice of nature in the suburbs!
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Review from Maddie B.
Ballwin, MO
7/12/2011
Have to say this is my favorite park by far in the area. The trails are beautiful!! I always know that my kids and dogs will sleep good after a day there. It's great for picnics, hiking, biking, and places to take a dip if you so choose. (Haven't tempted the water myself) They have a HUGE field that is great for playing fetch with your puppies and a playground for the kids. The trails will take you up a bluff that gives you an amazing view. Some of my best pictures of my kids are from here.
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Review from Jo W.
9/15/2008
I l-o-v-e Castlewood. When I lived in St. Louis, my friends and I would come here regularly to go hiking and just hang out on the cliffs overloking the river. Some of my favorite St. Louis memories include trips to Castlewood.
My friend and I came here Saturday morning for a hike. I hadn't been here since I moved nearly 7 years ago. I sort of got lost getting here, but once I pulled up I got really excited. The weather was perfect - it wasn't too hot yet, there was a nice breeze, and it wasn't crowded.
We started off with the trail that begins with the big hill. About halfway up my friend and I looked at each other, huffing and puffing, and I said "damn... we're not 18 anymore." I told her if anyone dared run past us or rode their bike past us I would trip them... KIDDING... maybe.
We made it to the first level point and took a quick break, stretched out, then hit the trail again. As we climbed, I remembered how much I loved hiking. As we navigated the trails we passed others also walking, some running, and some on their bikes. Everyone said "good morning" to us. I forget how nice people are...
We got to the other side of the trail and the stairs. Those damn stairs! I can't decide if I would have preferred going down on the rocky trail or the stairs, but we didn't have an option - so we navigated our way down those stairs, and all the twists and turns were making me dizzy. We encountered some girls having a picnic on the stairs. That was nice way to spend the morning, I'm sure.
We made it to the bottom, walked through the tunnel under the train tracks, and walked the last part of the trail which is flat. That part of the trail was pretty muddy, and it seemed to be a popular route for bikers... And wildlife - but hey, the turtle was cute. The spiders? Not so much.
We finished our hike and I got sad that it was over. I sort of wanted to go around the trail one more time, but my friend just looked at me like I was crazy. But I loved every minute of it, and I can't wait to visit again and come back here. One of the downsides to living in Chicago is that it's pretty flat. If I could, I would put Castlewood in my suitcase and sneak it back home...Listed in: The Show Me State... AKA my…
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Review from Larissa P.
Saint Louis, MO
2/19/2010
Best mountain biking in the area, hands down. The majority of the trails are minimally to moderately technical and when there's no foliage, you have an incredible view of the hills and valleys of the park. It's a mountain biker mecca though, so get in early on the weekends! If you arrive late, parking will be scarce and the trails will be awkwardly full of bikers trying to shred, but failing because they keep having to pull over for one another. Single track doth not widen for mountain bikers.
The River Scene Trail has a portion that tends to get muddy (below the bluff) so if you're into getting dirty, do it. Mind you, make sure you hose of your bike. My bike is still sporting a solid caking of mud from my last trip down that trail.
Grotpeter and a few of it's offshoots are my favorite trails to ride. They are fast and open and not nearly as cobbly-wobbly as the trails at Lost Valley.
Also, bring some amphibious shoes and wade in the creek that runs through it after a good bike. It's delightfully clear for someplace in St. Louis.
Lastly, hikers beware. I'm a pretty cautious biker myself when it comes to foot traffic, but I can't say that about all of my two wheeled bretheren (and sisteren?). -
Review from John Paul D.
Chesterfield, MO
Castlewood has a beautiful river walk that goes by the river, then up several flights of stairs to the Scenic Bluff Overlook. It is nothing short of spectaular at sunset. It is a perfect place for a picnic. Plenty of Mountian Biking Trials and places to chill afterword. It also has a beach on the river and it a great place to launch your Kayak or Canoe.
I walk my dog here often and let him run with the other dogs in the large open field. -
Review from Amanda Z.
Saint Louis, MO
9/11/2008
There was a time when it seemed this park kept coming up on the news. People kept, well, ending up in trouble in this park to put it lightly. Now that those days have passed (hopefully), we can enjoy this park for what it truly is.
This is easily the best hiking park in St. Louis. The trails are vast and seem to go on in many directions for a long while. Some are challenging, and some are not quite as challenging, but thankfully, there is a trail type for all experience levels of hikers. This is also a great park to ride your bike in, if you have an off road bike at least, and it hasn't been raining for weeks straight. These trails get muddy fast, so biking after a storm is nearly out of the question.
Also, this is a very dog friendly park. I have seen tons of people running with their dogs, off their leashes in this park. Often times, the dogs are running through the river, chasing balls or sticks and having a great time. This is one of the few sandy beach like areas we have in the city, and although the river doesn't constitute great swimming, it's still a nice place to relax on a beautiful day. Be careful swimming though, some of those aforementioned tragedies happened in this very section of this river.
This is all around good time for people of all ages looking to take in a little nature in the middle of the city. -
Review from Courtney S.
St Louis, MO
11/12/2010
It's pretty amazing to have such an extensive and beautiful state park so close to St. Louis. The trails and the views are worth a longer drive. I've only been hiking here so I can't speak for the biking aspects, but there was a lot of ground to cover; I can't wait to go back and explore the rest of the pathways. Once when you're there it really feels like you have left the world (or at least the city) behind.
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Review from Callie O.
San Francisco, CA
11/16/2009
This is a great park if you are looking to do some hiking. I go here often and they have a ton of bike and hiking trails. Also there are some jaw dropping look out points that view the river. It closes when it gets dark so make sure you give youself enough time to explore!
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Review from Sarah F.
Saint Louis, MO
6/17/2009
Simon and I visited Castlewood last week, when I woke up and realized I hadn't stepped foot outside the pavement palace of St.Louis City in two months.
Castlewood is just a short drive out 44 to the West, making it easy access for South City dwellers to find a great hiking spot.
In June, the weather in St.Louis is hit-and-miss. The rain we've had lately made the mosquito population really excited (or should I say horny), and it seems they've been multiplying by the masses.
I had to take off one star for the mosquitos. I got home and realized I'd been bitten over 30 times.
When we were there, I got it into my head that as long as I kept moving (i.e. "hiking") the little buggers couldn't catch me. Ha! They are obviously more evolved than that.
No, but seriously, the river trail is gorgeous. Winds up through shade forest, to the top of bluffs and overlooks winding river the duration. We took our dogs, and although it says "on-leash", we were able to let them off when immediately out of eye-sight of the rangers without problem.
(note: I only recommend off-leash to those who have their dogs trained for this. While we were hiking a stray dog came up to us who had abandoned it's owner, and looked terribly hot and thirsty. Please! Only if your dog will stay with you!)
So head out to Castlewood and step foot into the forest. There are still some spring wildflowers blooming, and you might get to witness some of nature's pollination. -
Review from Jaffa A.
Saint Louis, MO
9/6/2008
With gas prices as ridiculous as they are, it's nice that there are places to go hiking less than an hour from St. Louis. Even without the gas woes, it's nice to be able to not have to travel far to enjoy the outdoors. The trails for hiking are moderate in steepness (really not very steep). The views are fantastic and the Meramec River goes through it. Lots of people bring their dogs out for a hike. There's also mountain bike trails and some fields to hang out, play ball, or picnic on. At around 1800 acres, it can keep you occupied for quite a while, or you can go hang out for an hour or two.
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Review from Maggie W.
Saint Louis, MO
8/13/2008 2 photos
This park is very large, and I know I haven't explored even a fraction of it. But I have stumbled my way up to the cliffs to enjoy the tremendous view, hunted for turtles in the streams, and played Frisbee on the expansive grounds.
My favorite spot is where the road ends at the back of the park, and the closest thing there is to a beach in this town reveals itself. People are playing fetch with their dogs in the river, laying out on beach towels, and playing cards in the sand. I'm hopelessly addicted to beaches, and while this certainly isn't a white-sand-and-teal-water paradise, it's one of the only sandy waterfronts we've got.
