Castlewood State Park

This state park sits right on the Meramec River and is one of the top places in the St. Louis area for mountain biking due to its diversity of trails.

If you’re on the hunt for a vast recreation area where you can enjoy all your favorite outdoor activities in Missouri, look no further than Castlewood State Park. This park, which spans across 1,800 acres, is situated on the banks of the Meramec River and even has intriguing history tied to it. The park's forests, rolling hills, and river scenery serves as the perfect backdrop for various outdoor activities, whether it be hiking, mountain biking, fishing, or wildlife observing. Some fish you can expect to catch here includes catfish, carp, walleye, crappie, bluegill, and bass.

In the early 1900s, the area that is now the park once had dance clubs and was a popular spot for people from St. Louis to come party. Today, the park is known for being one of the best spots in the region for mountain biking thanks to the wide variety of trails that range from flat and curvy near the river to steep heights on the bluffs. If you’re not keen on mountain biking, hikers can also explore the bluffs and be awarded by the sweeping views of the Meramec River valley. Castlewood State Park is not only place to escape the stressors of daily life, it's also a somewhere you can come with close friends, family, or partner to reconnect with nature and divy into the area's history. Come explore the many offerings of Castlewood State Park, no matter if you’re want a getaway chock-full of adventure or blissful peace and quiet.