There’s a lot to love about living in Ballwin, MO. The city is full of delicious restaurants, relaxing coffee shops, and beautiful parks. However, no matter how great a city is, you sometimes need to spread your wings and leave home for a bit. If you are looking for a change of pace, keep reading to learn more about three of the most amazing state parks within driving distance of the city.
1. Castlewood State Park
Our favorite state park within driving distance of Ballwin is Castlewood State Park at 1401 Kiefer Creek Road. There are plenty of activities you can enjoy in this state park, including hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and fishing. If you’re an angler, you’ll love the miles of Meramec River shoreline you can fish from. Just a few of the fish species you can expect to catch include:
- Crappie
- Bluegill
- Longear sunfish
- Bass
- Channel catfish
If you’re a cyclist or hiker, you’ll love the eight trails here. Our favorite is the Stinging Nettle Trail.
2. Route 66 State Park
Another amazing state park in the area is Route 66 State Park at 97 N. Outer Road, Suite 1. There are 174 species you can spot in this park depending on the time of year. Some of the birds that nest in this state park include great crested flycatchers, white-breasted nuthatches, brown creepers, and Carolina wrens. Besides birding, some of the most popular activities you can enjoy here include:
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Boating
- Cycling
- Horseback riding
3. Robertsville State Park
Finally, we recommend checking out Robertsville State Park at 902 State Park Drive. There is a lot to do in this state park, but our favorite activity is camping. There are 13 electric campsites, a dozen basic campsites, and three basic sites that feature a wooden platform. Additionally, the park offers a family campsite.
Regardless of whether you choose to camp at Robertsville State Park, we highly recommend making some time to hike. We love the peaceful 2.6-mile loop trail called Lost Hill Trail. It winds through the woodlands and bottomlands, providing stunning views of Calvey Creek’s beautiful oxbow slough. We also strongly recommend hiking along the Spice Bush Trail. It is a 0.8-mile loop trail that winds through the floodplain of the Meramec River.
There are a number of amazing state parks near Ballwin. However, a dependable car is required to get to them. If you have an old car that is prone to mechanical problems, there is no better time than now to get yourself into a better car. Contact us today at Dean Team Volkswagen of Ballwin to schedule a test drive a 2023 Volkswagen Jetta.
Connect with us
