Quick AnswerThe best outdoor things to do in St. Louis range from 1,300-acre Forest Park — free, endlessly walkable, and better than its reputation — to river bluff hikes at Castlewood State Park and the 240-mile Katy Trail accessible from St. Charles. Confluence Point, Tower Grove Park, and Creve Coeur Lake round out the metro options, while the Ozark foothills within an hour's drive add serious elevation change. This guide covers what each destination is actually like on the trail, organized from the city's core outward.
The outdoor case for St. Louis is undersold. Forest Park alone rivals Central Park in size while drawing a fraction of the national attention. Within an hour's drive you have honest hiking on Ozark limestone bluffs, two great rivers converging in the open air, and Katy Trail access deep into Missouri wine country. The beer garden culture is real, the summer concert calendar is strong, and the neighborhood park system gives residents genuine outdoor living year-round.
Our Top Outdoor Things to Do in St. Louis
1. Forest Park — The Center of Everything
Forest Park is the correct starting point for any outdoor exploration of St. Louis. At 1,300 acres, it contains a world-class zoo, an art museum, a science center, a history museum, a golf course, a skating rink, paddle boats, and 12 miles of paved paths for running, walking, and cycling — all within a single contiguous park that's free to enter.
The Cross-Country Trail runs 3.4 miles through the heart of the park; the path along Post-Dispatch Lake is a favorite for casual walkers. The Art Hill slope in the southern section is a beloved informal gathering spot, particularly on summer evenings when the outdoor film series runs. Go early on weekend mornings when the park belongs to runners and cyclists before the museums open.
2. Tower Grove Park — Victorian Grandeur, Year-Round Life
Tower Grove Park in South St. Louis is defined by its ornate Victorian pavilions, its canopy of mature trees, and its use as a genuine community gathering space. Designed by Henry Shaw in the 1870s, it carries a different character from Forest Park — more intimate, neighborhood-scaled, and embedded in the life of the surrounding South City blocks.
The Farmer's Market at Tower Grove Park runs Saturdays from May through October and is one of the best in the region — local produce, prepared food, baked goods, and craft vendors that draws a consistent morning crowd. The Missouri Botanical Garden is directly across Shaw Avenue, making the park a natural extension of a Garden visit.
3. Castlewood State Park — Real Hiking Close to the City
Castlewood State Park in Ballwin, about 25 miles southwest of downtown, is the answer when St. Louis residents want actual elevation change. The park sits along the Meramec River where the valley walls rise into rocky limestone bluffs, and the Lincoln Beach Trail — a 3.5-mile loop — delivers genuine views over the river valley from overlooks that feel nothing like the surrounding suburban landscape.
The trails range from easy riverside walks to more demanding bluff-top routes. The Lower Meramec Trail offers a flat, forested river walk for families; the Upper River Scene Trail climbs steeply to overlooks that reward the effort. Spring brings wildflowers along the bluff faces. No admission fee.
4. Cliff Cave Park — River Bluffs and Cave Access
Cliff Cave Park in South St. Louis County along the Mississippi bluff line runs through genuine hardwood forest before opening to river views, with a cave accessible seasonally on guided tours. The main trail loop covers about two miles through the bluff edge — enough undulation to feel like a real walk while remaining accessible for most fitness levels.
The river views from the upper sections are legitimately impressive — the Mississippi at this point is wide and commanding. Cave tours run seasonally through St. Louis County Parks and must be reserved in advance; check the county parks calendar for dates.
5. Confluence Point State Park — Where Two Great Rivers Meet
Confluence Point State Park in West Alton marks the spot where the Missouri River flows into the Mississippi — two of the continent's defining waterways meeting in an open landscape that carries genuine geographic weight. The trail to the actual confluence is a flat two-mile walk through floodplain forest ending at a narrow point of land where you can watch the brown Missouri water fold into the broader gray of the Mississippi.
Migratory bird activity makes this a strong destination in spring and fall for birders. Visiting at sunset on a clear evening is one of the genuinely memorable outdoor experiences within reach of St. Louis. The park is free and maintained by Missouri State Parks.
6. Katy Trail Access from St. Louis — Missouri's Great Greenway
The Katy Trail is the nation's longest rail-trail at 240 miles, with convenient access points that place it within reach of St. Louis for a day ride. The St. Charles access and the Weldon Spring trailhead both serve as practical entry points for day trips of 10 to 40 miles. The corridor between St. Charles and Defiance is particularly scenic — river bluffs on one side, the Missouri River floodplain on the other, with passing towns offering stops at wineries in Augusta or Defiance.
The trail surface is crushed limestone and appropriate for hybrid or touring bikes. Bike rental is available in St. Charles near the eastern trailhead. Spring and fall are peak seasons; summer middays can be hot on exposed sections.
7. Creve Coeur Lake — Paddling and Open Water
Creve Coeur Lake in Maryland Heights is the largest natural lake in Missouri, and the 2,000-acre park surrounding it is one of the metro's best outdoor resources for water-based activities. Kayak and canoe rentals are available seasonally, and the calm water makes it practical for paddlers without open-water experience. The park's 5-mile outer loop trail is popular with cyclists and inline skaters.
The lake attracts serious bird activity including large concentrations of American white pelicans during migration. Anglers fish year-round for crappie, bass, and catfish; no fishing license required. Arrive early on summer weekends for the best picnic spots.
8. Kayaking the Meramec River — Missouri's Best Day Float
The Meramec River west of St. Louis offers some of the most accessible float water in the region, with outfitters near Eureka and Pacific providing rentals and shuttle service to sections ranging from two to twelve miles. The river runs clear over gravel bars through forested Ozark hills — an entirely different landscape from the Mississippi floodplain. Swimming holes along the way are part of the experience.
The stretch from Castlewood to Fenton is a popular half-day float accessible to beginners in recreational kayaks or canoes. Book shuttle services in advance on summer weekends. Check river gauges before committing to a specific section.
9. Schlafly Bottleworks Beer Garden — Maplewood's Outdoor Anchor
Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood has one of the best beer garden setups in St. Louis: a spacious outdoor patio behind their production facility on Manchester Avenue, surrounded by mature trees. The beer list hits their flagship lineup — Pale Ale, Hefeweizen, rotating seasonals — and the facility hosts outdoor events throughout the year, including the popular Schlafly Stout and Oyster Festival in February.
The Bottleworks is a different experience from the downtown Taproom — more neighborhood-facing, with a regulars culture that reflects Maplewood's character. Maplewood's restaurant row on Manchester makes the Bottleworks a natural anchor for an afternoon and evening.
10. Urban Chestnut Beer Garden — The Grove
Urban Chestnut Brewing Company's Grove Brewery on Kingsland has the outdoor footprint that earns its place on this list. The beer garden is expansive, with a mix of covered and open seating, communal tables, and a backdrop that captures the old-industrial-meets-new-neighborhood character of the Grove neighborhood. The beers skew toward European styles — German lagers, wheat beers, well-executed pilsners.
Summer evenings in the garden fill with a cross-section of St. Louis that reflects the Grove's energy. The Grove itself rewards walking before or after — an eclectic stretch of small businesses and restaurants on Manchester Avenue.
Explore More of St. Louis Outdoors
St. Louis's outdoor scene extends into Meramec State Park backcountry, Missouri wine country river towns, and the neighborhood parks that connect the city's 79 neighborhoods. Subscribe to the STL Gateway Living newsletter for seasonal picks, trail updates, and event coverage every week.
This guide was last updated in 2026. We revisit outdoor recommendations seasonally based on access, trail conditions, and new openings.
