Easy, Family-Friendly Hiking Trails Around St. Louis
Revised August 10, 2026
What are the easiest family-friendly hiking trails near St. Louis?
Some of the easiest family hikes near St. Louis are paved and stroller-friendly: Powder Valley in Kirkwood, Forest Park’s loop, Creve Coeur Lake, Grant’s Trail, and the Mississippi Trail at Cliff Cave. For bluff views with a little more effort, try Castlewood, Shaw Nature Reserve, Klondike Park, or Pere Marquette in Illinois. Most are free (Shaw and Klondike charge a small fee), and all allow leashed dogs. Go early in summer, and check conditions after rain on the river trails.
Keep reading ↓There is a particular kind of St. Louis Saturday where the kids are bouncing off the walls, the weather is finally cooperating, and you just need everyone outside before noon. The good news: you do not have to drive to the Ozarks to find a real trail. Some of the best easy hikes in the region are 20 minutes from wherever you are right now, with paved paths for strollers, shade for the dog, and just enough adventure to wear out a seven-year-old.
Here are the family-friendly trails locals actually come back to — with the practical stuff: how long, how hard, where to park, whether it is paved, and whether the kids and the dog will actually make it to the end without a meltdown.
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center (Kirkwood)
If you are easing little ones into hiking, start here. Powder Valley sits on 112 acres of oak-hickory forest, and all three of its trails are paved, totaling a bit over two miles. The Tanglevine Trail is short, fully accessible, and lined with signs that explain what you are looking at — great for curious kids and grandparents alike. Want a little more? The Hickory Ridge and Broken Ridge trails roll through more varied terrain.
Good to know: Trails are open daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in summer. The free visitor center is open Tuesday through Saturday and has hands-on exhibits, a nice rainy-day backup. Admission is free.
Forest Park (St. Louis City)
You already know Forest Park, but it is genuinely one of the best walking spots in the country. The signed loop that circles the park runs roughly 5.6 miles on asphalt with a parallel gravel path, so walkers and bikers stay out of each other's way. You do not have to do the whole thing — pick a chunk near the Zoo, the Art Museum, or the Jewel Box and turn around whenever the kids tap out. It is flat, paved, and stroller-perfect, with bathrooms and water along the way.
Good to know: Free, open year-round. Parking lots ring the park, so start wherever you like.
Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park (Maryland Heights)
St. Louis County's oldest and largest park wraps a paved path around a big lake, and it is hard to beat for a flat, scenic family walk. The Lakeview Loop is about 3.8 miles of fully paved trail around the water — do the full loop or start on the shorter Mallard Lake Loop (about 1.7 miles) if little legs are involved. There is even a small waterfall to hunt for. Bikes, joggers, and leashed dogs all share the path happily.
Good to know: Free, open daily. Multiple lots and trailheads, plus playgrounds nearby for a post-hike reward.
Castlewood State Park (Ballwin area)
Castlewood is the crowd favorite for a reason — bluff views over the Meramec River that feel a world away from the suburbs. The famous River Scene Trail is a 3.1-mile loop rated moderate, with a stretch of stairs up to the bluff overlook (worth it). If you want flat and easy instead, the Castlewood Trail is a gentle 1.5-mile option. Heads up: parts of the River Scene Trail have been closed at times due to flood damage along the river, so check current conditions before you go.
Good to know: Free, open daily. Popular with mountain bikers too, so stay alert on shared sections.
Shaw Nature Reserve (Gray Summit)
About 40 minutes southwest on I-44, Shaw Nature Reserve is an extension of the Missouri Botanical Garden spread across 2,400 acres. There are 18 miles of trails total, but you can absolutely keep it short and sweet — wander the prairie, the wetland, or the native plant areas on flat grassy and gravel paths. The Rus Goddard River Trail is a 2.5-mile loop that drops down to a gravel bar on the Meramec, a fun turnaround spot for kids.
Good to know: Open daily from 8 a.m., typically to 5 p.m. but with extended hours (to 8 p.m.) in summer — check current hours before you go, since last entry is 30 minutes before close. Admission is $5, $3 for seniors, free for Missouri Botanical Garden members. This is the one paid stop on the list, and worth it.
Cliff Cave Park (Oakville)
Down in south county, Cliff Cave Park is named for a real limestone cave that is home to a colony of bats (the cave itself is gated and closed to protect them, but the setting is dramatic). The Mississippi Trail here is a flat, paved loop of roughly six and a half miles (walk as much or as little of it as you like) through bottomland woods and wetlands — easy walking with a river-bluff backdrop. Newer trail extensions added a scenic overlook of the Mississippi River.
Good to know: Free, open daily. Part of the Mississippi Greenway, so you can go as far or as short as you like.
Pere Marquette State Park (Grafton, IL)
For our Metro-East families — and anyone up for the gorgeous drive along the Great River Road — Pere Marquette is Illinois's largest state park. The Goat Cliff Trail is a 1.7-mile loop, rated moderate, that climbs the bluffs past boulders and rock outcrops kids love to scramble on, with knockout views of where the Illinois and Mississippi rivers meet. On a clear day you can see all the way to St. Louis.
Good to know: Park open 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily; trails open sunrise to sunset. Free. Dogs welcome on leash. The historic lodge nearby is a great lunch stop.
Rockwoods Reservation (Wildwood)
Out on the west side, Rockwoods Reservation is a free Missouri Department of Conservation site with a family favorite in the Trail Among the Trees — a short, mostly gentle loop of about a mile and a half past mossy rock outcrops and an old limestone kiln. It has the same easy, shaded, exhibit-lined feel as Powder Valley, just a little wilder.
Good to know: Free, open daily. A good rainy-week backup when the river trails are muddy.
Random, but — the Hyde Park neighborhood, no hiking involved.
Grant's Trail / Gravois Greenway (South County to Kirkwood)
If you want the flattest, most stroller- and bike-friendly option on this list, Grant's Trail is it: an eleven-plus-mile paved rail-trail running through south county, past Grant's Farm, with no real hills to speak of. You do not do the whole thing — pick a trailhead, walk or ride as far as the kids last, and turn around. Benches, shade, and ice-cream stops along the way make it an easy win.
Good to know: Free, open daily. Multiple trailheads with parking; part of the Great Rivers Greenway network.
Klondike Park (Augusta, St. Charles County)
A former sand quarry turned into one of the prettiest parks in St. Charles County, Klondike has short paved Overlook and quarry-lake trails (well under a mile each) that reward you with big Missouri River bluff views for very little effort. There is a playground, a swimming-quarry beach in season, and camping, so it is easy to build a whole afternoon around it.
Good to know: Small daily vehicle fee for non-county residents; open daily. Great for younger kids who tire quickly but still want a “real” view.
Columbia Bottom Conservation Area (North County)
Up at the confluence, where the Missouri pours into the Mississippi, Columbia Bottom is a free MDC area with a flat, paved trail out to the confluence overlook. It is one of the best spots in the metro for birding and for that jaw-dropping “two rivers becoming one” view, and the level path makes it doable for strollers and little legs.
Good to know: Free, open daily. Wide open and exposed, so bring hats, sunscreen, and water.
Best times to hit the trail
St. Louis hiking has three good seasons and one to plan around. Spring brings wildflowers and running creeks, but river-bottom trails like Cliff Cave and parts of Castlewood can be muddy or closed after heavy rain — check conditions first. Fall is arguably the best: crisp air, big color on the bluff trails at Pere Marquette and Klondike, and fewer bugs. Summer works if you go early — the humidity is real by mid-morning, and the exposed paths at Creve Coeur Lake and Columbia Bottom get hot fast. Winter is quietly great for the paved options: Forest Park, Grant's Trail, and Powder Valley are perfectly walkable on a clear cold day, and you will have them mostly to yourself.
Whatever the season, a good rule with kids is to pick a trail with a bail-out point — a loop you can cut short, or an out-and-back where turning around is always an option. Nobody remembers the mileage; they remember the creek, the overlook, and the snack at the car.
Quick tips for hiking with kids and dogs
- Go early. Summer humidity in St. Louis is no joke — morning hikes are cooler and less crowded.
- Pack water for everyone, including the dog. Most of these trails have little to no shade in spots.
- Check conditions first. River-adjacent trails like Castlewood and Cliff Cave can close after flooding.
- Leash up. Every park here requires dogs on a leash, and it keeps the wildlife (and other hikers) happy.
Planning a whole visit? See our guide to planning a St. Louis trip.
Make a morning of it — pair a hike with a stop at one of the St. Louis metro farmers markets.
Looking for more family outings and local spots? Browse the St Louis Near Me directory to find parks, attractions, and things to do across the metro.
If you run a business near a trailhead — an outfitter, a cafe, a family attraction — listing it is how families searching for things to do find you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest hiking trail for young kids near St. Louis?
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center in Kirkwood is one of the easiest. All three trails are paved, the Tanglevine Trail is short and fully accessible, and there is a free visitor center with exhibits if you need a break or the weather turns.
Which St. Louis trails are paved and stroller-friendly?
Forest Park's main loop, the Lakeview and Mallard Lake loops at Creve Coeur Lake Park, the paved trails at Powder Valley, and the Mississippi Trail at Cliff Cave Park are all paved and work well for strollers.
Are dogs allowed on these trails?
Yes, dogs are welcome on a leash at all of these parks, including Pere Marquette State Park in Illinois. Bring water for your dog, since shade can be limited in open stretches.
Do any of these trails cost money?
Shaw Nature Reserve charges $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, and is free for Missouri Botanical Garden members. The rest — Forest Park, Creve Coeur Lake, Castlewood, Cliff Cave, Powder Valley, and Pere Marquette — are free to enter.
What is a good easy trail in the Metro-East (Illinois) side?
The Goat Cliff Trail at Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton is a 1.7-mile loop with bluff-top views of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. It is rated moderate but short, and kids love scrambling on the rock outcrops.
Which trail has the best views?
For river bluff views, it is a tie between Castlewood State Park's River Scene Trail over the Meramec and Pere Marquette's Goat Cliff Trail, where you can see the two rivers meet and even spot St. Louis on a clear day. Klondike Park’s overlook and Columbia Bottom’s confluence view are close runners-up for far less climbing.
What is the flattest trail for a stroller or bike?
Grant’s Trail (the Gravois Greenway) is the flattest — an eleven-plus-mile paved rail-trail with no real hills, ideal for strollers, balance bikes, and first family rides. Forest Park’s paved loop is a close second and adds bathrooms and water along the way.
Which of these trails is best in the fall?
The bluff trails show the best color: Pere Marquette’s Goat Cliff Trail and Klondike Park light up in October, and Castlewood’s overlook is stunning once the leaves turn. Cooler fall air also makes the longer paved loops at Creve Coeur Lake and Grant’s Trail more comfortable.
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