Outdoor Activities in St. Louis

No matter where you are in St. Louis, you’re never far from a park, trail, or waterway. The city is packed with beautiful outdoor spaces — from huge parks like Forest Park to miles of scenic trails and rivers perfect for paddling. Whether you want to hike, bike, or just relax in nature, there’s something here for everyone.

Popular Outdoor Activities in St. Louis

St. Louis has great outdoor adventures waiting for you no matter what your interests are. From Forest Park to the Mississippi River, this city is packed with cool places to explore. So, grab your walking shoes, and let’s dive into all the amazing things you can do outside!

Explore Forest Park

Photo Credit @wikipedia

Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the U.S. This massive park has everything: miles of trails, scenic lakes, a golf course, and even the Saint Louis Art Museum. You can spend the whole day here biking, walking, or enjoying a picnic under the trees. Plus, if you’re here in the winter, Art Hill in Forest Park is the best place for sledding.

Hike in and Around St. Louis

St. Louis has tons of trails for every level. Castlewood State Park is a local favorite, with the River Scene Trail giving you awesome views of the Meramec River from high limestone bluffs. It’s about a three-mile loop, so it's perfect for a morning adventure.

You can also check out the Lime Kiln Trail in Rockwoods Reservation or the White Bison Trail in Lone Elk Park, where you might even see bison, elk, or deers. If you’re looking for an easy walk with nature views, the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area along the Mississippi River has paved paths and beautiful wetlands.

Walking Adventures

If hiking sounds like too much, St. Louis has many places where you can just take a nice walk. Tower Grove Park is full of old trees, pretty pavilions, and open lawns — perfect for a lazy afternoon.

And if you like a walk with a little history, Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum is a beautiful place to stroll. With over 9,500 trees and cool wildlife like foxes and birds, it’s a peaceful escape from the city.

Discover the Missouri Botanical Garden

A visit to St. Louis wouldn’t be complete without seeing the famous Missouri Botanical Garden. You can wander through gardens filled with exotic plants, beautiful fountains, and even a Japanese Garden with a lake. You can also catch special events like the Japanese Festival or the Orchid Show.

Ride Bikes Along the Mississippi River

If you are looking for a more rugged trail, head to Creve Coeur Park for the Bootlegger’s Run, a fun trail with twists and turns. Or, if you want a longer trip, the Katy Trail, the longest rail-trail in the U.S., starts just 30 miles from St. Louis in St. Charles and takes you through beautiful Missouri countryside.

Paddle the Mississippi River

Speaking of the Mississippi River, have you ever thought about paddling on it? Big Muddy Adventures leads guided trips on both the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. You can go on a short sunset paddle or a full-day adventure like Lewis and Clark. They even offer moonlight trips with campfires and dinner on a river island.

Bird-Watching Hotspots

If you love birds, St. Louis is a great place to spot some amazing ones, like bald eagles. Fort Belle Fontaine and Edward "Ted" and Pat Jones-Confluence Point State Park are top places to watch eagles, hawks, herons, and swans. The Audubon Center at Riverlands is another must-visit for bird lovers. Bring binoculars and enjoy the view!

Horseback Riding

At Pere Marquette Stables, just a short drive from St. Louis, you can ride gentle horses through forests and along river bluffs. It’s a fun way to see nature, and no experience is necessary.

Ziplining Adventures

For the thrill-seekers, RYZE Adventure Park is the place to go. They’ve got a four-story climbing tower, ziplines, and even mini golf for when you need a break. Another fun place is Go Ape, where you can zipline through treetops and cross wobbly bridges high above the ground.

Cool Off at Water Parks and Go Sledding in Winter

If you are visiting St. Louis in summers, you might want to cool off at Raging Rivers Waterpark or Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags. Both parks have crazy slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers.

And if you are in the city for winters, head to Hidden Valley for skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. Plus, Steinberg Skating Rink in Forest Park, the biggest outdoor rink in the Midwest, is open for ice skating in winter.

Gateway Arch

Explore Caves and Underground Wonders

For an underground outdoor adventure, check out Meramec Caverns, a massive cave system with amazing rock formations and cool underground rooms. You can take a guided tour to see all the hidden wonders. Another great cave to visit is Onondaga Cave State Park, where you’ll see beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Both spots are fun day trips from St. Louis.

Does St. Louis Have Good Outdoor Activities?

Yes, St. Louis has tons of good outdoor activities! No matter what you like to do outside, there’s something for everyone here. If you love parks, you can visit Forest Park. It has miles of trails, lakes where you can paddle boats, and big open spaces to play or have a picnic.

If you’re more into hiking, biking, or even bird-watching, St. Louis has places for that too. There are awesome trails like the Riverfront Trail along the Mississippi River, and the Katy Trail starts just 30 miles away, giving you a long path to bike or walk. You can also visit the Missouri Botanical Garden to see beautiful flowers and plants.

Is St. Louis Outdoorsy?

Yes, St. Louis is super outdoorsy! There are so many places to go outside and have fun. People here love to be out in nature, whether it’s walking in parks, riding bikes, or even paddling on the Mississippi River. One of the coolest places is Tower Grove Park, where families have picnics, kids play on the playground, and people walk their dogs.

If you like exploring nature, there are also parks for hiking and biking, like Castlewood State Park and Forest Park. In the summer, people go to water parks like Raging Rivers to cool off, and in the winter, they sled down Art Hill or go ice skating. You can even try exciting stuff like ziplining at RYZE Adventure Park or climbing huge trees with Vertical Voyages.

Final Thoughts

From miles of trails to river paddling, Saint Louis is packed with outdoor activities for everyone. Whether you’re climbing high, biking fast, or just relaxing in a botanical garden, there’s something fun and adventurous waiting for you. So next time you’re in town, get outside and explore all that this amazing city has to offer!