St. Louis has so many beautiful places to visit that it can be easy to overlook all that our Missouri State Parks have to offer. Each of these parks provides a unique outdoor experience, and each is also perfect for getting away from the city for a day. Read below to see the exciting adventures that await you in these state parks! Who said St. Louis isn’t amazing? Not us.

1. Edward and Pat Jones-Confluence Point State Park
1000 Riverlands Way, West Alton, MO 63386, USA
Kbh3rd - Wikipedia
You can watch as the Missouri River and the Mighty Mississippi River meet at this state park. It is a beautiful place to spend time on the waterfront. It's also a great bird-watching destination! You can learn more on the official Missouri State Parks website.
2. Mastodon State Historic Site
1050 Charles J Becker Dr, Imperial, MO 63052, USA
Jenni A. - Yelp
Home to the Kimmswick Bone Bed, this archaeological and paleontological site is both an educational museum and a great outdoor park. You will learn about the great mastodons that roamed Missouri once upon a time, complete with life-sized models of these fierce creatures; you can also picnic and/or hike the wooded grounds. The hiking is truly amazing.
3. Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site
9001 Old Lemay Ferry Rd, Hillsboro, MO 63050, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
This state historic site is perfect for a romantic date or for seeing our history first hand. The Sandy Creek Bridge is one of only three remaining Howe Truss Bridges. It is completely restored and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1970. This is one of our favorite hikes in the entire state, too.
4. Gov. Daniel Dunklin's Grave State Historic Site
Gov. Daniel Dunklin's Grave State Historic Site, 104 Dunklin Dr, Herculaneum, MO 63048, USA
Kbh3rd - Wikipedia
Dedicated to Missouri's fifth Governor, this historic site provides amazing views of the Mississippi River. It is a quiet place that is a nice retreat in nature. Learn more about this highly unusual state park on the MO state parks website.
5. Robertsville State Park
Robertsville State Park, 902 State Park Dr, Robertsville, MO 63072, USA
Mick B. - Yelp
This state park is bordered by both the Meramec River and Calvey Creek. Popular activities here are fishing, boating, and camping. Visit the Missouri state parks website for all the important details.
6. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
30 Ramey St, Collinsville, IL 62234, USA
Ron Cogswell/Flickr
At Cahokia Mounds you can walk to the top of one of the oldest Native American sites in the USA. The mounds here are preserved and protected as a World Heritage Site. There is also an educational center featuring many artifacts found in the area. Learn more about the Mounds and more in this awesome article.
7. Meramec State Park
670 Fisher Dr, Sullivan, MO 63080, USA
Meramec State Park, Sullivan, MO 63080, USA
Mona Maynard/Flickr
Meramec State Park might just have the most activities to offer in one stop. You can visit caves here, camp, hike, go fishing, and boat or float on the river. Our favorite, though, is definitely hiking.
8. Castlewood State Park
1401 Kiefer Creek Rd, Ballwin, MO 63021, USA
Kbh3rd - Wikipedia
Castlewood State Park offers beautiful views and an abundance of outdoor activities too. This park is also an excellent choice if you like to hike. There are eight different trails offered here, with several that are open for equestrian use. We're not alone in our feeling that this park is VASTLY underrated.
9. Washington State Park
13041 MO-104, De Soto, MO 63020, USA
Fran M. - Yelp
The Washington State Park is a beautiful choice for hiking, boating, and swimming, but it is the petroglyphs carved into the rocks in this park that set it apart. Who created them is unknown, but it is believed that the Middle Mississippi People used the site as a ceremonial grounds. They were listed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1970. Learn more on the official website!

Have you ever visited these awesome state parks near St. Louis? Share your experience with us in the comments. Looking for more outside fun? Check out the otherworldly Elephant Rocks State Park near St. Louis!

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What are some of the best hiking trails in St. Louis?  

Who says you can’t go hiking in or near the big city? We sure don’t! Missouri is a beautiful state for those who enjoy the outdoors, and St. Louis is no exception to this rule! It’s filled with all sorts of trails, be they urban or more out-of-the-way, and it’s a great place to get outside and experience the wonders of the natural world. Some of our favorite hikes in (or near) St. Louis include the amazing Whispering Pines Trail, which can be found at Hawn State Park. The park is home to eight awesome trails, but Whispering Pines is our favorite of them all. It’s long – or it can be – at 9.75 miles total, but you can break it up as it’s made of two loop trails. The Braille Trail, found within Elephant Rocks State Park, is easily one of the most unique hikes in the entire state – and it’s so close to St. Louis! Then, there’s always the Weldon Spring Conservation Area, where you’ll find the awesome Lewis and Clark Trail – the closest-to-town locale out of the options listed here. Need more ideas? Take a look at this article for all the inspiration you’ll need.  

What are the best parks around St. Louis?  

St. Louis is a vibrant city with plenty of delightful city and state parks in, around, and nearby. Some of the most popular parks around St. Louis include Forest Park, on Grand Drive, which is easily the most famous park in the city. It’s scenic, features a prominent civic center, and is simply an all-around wonderful place to be. Other parks around St. Louis that we love are Tower Grove Park, which can be found on Northeast Drive and features 289 acres adjacent to the Missouri Botanical Garden, and the Citygarden Sculpture Park is great for artists and art appreciators alike. Finally, check out Carondelet Park for fishing ponds, playgrounds, and more.  

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