Hiking Emmenegger Nature Park in St. Louis, Missouri

Convenient to the city of St. Louis, Emmenegger Nature Park is an excellent choice for after work hiking. Easy to get to and a variety of trails make it a great day hike destination.

In 1975 Russel E. Emmenegger donated the 95 acres that became Emmenegger Nature Park. It has become a favorite place for the harried city workers to visit after a hard day.

Trails at Emmenegger

The 1.5 mile of trail is mostly natural surface. Near the trail head there are two loops of paved trail designed for handicap access (Pic #2). A bridge crossing high above a creek that empties into the Meramec River connects the trail to the trail head (Pic #1).

Hiking counterclockwise the trail parallels the Meramec River (Pic #5) before angling back in to Missouri bottom land thick with trees. Take some time along the banks of the river and look for fossils. Crinoids, worm burrows, bryozoans and rocks embedded with brachiopods are commonly found. More rare are corals and plant fossils.

A climb stair stepped with native Missouri rocks takes the hiker past protected sections of meadow. Near the top large flat rocks along the edge make great spots to sit and take in the view (Pic #4). For miles West stretch manufacturing plants, parking lots and houses. Look back East and all that can be see is thick Missouri woods.

Going on the trail descends into more bottom land. The trees muffle the sound of cars on I-270. This area is a favorite place for birdwatchers. A small creek winds through and the trail crosses it at one point. This is another good area to look for fossils.

Activities at Emmenegger

Day hiking, trail running and dog walking are favorite activities at Emmenegger. Folks come to sit along the river and take in the late afternoon sun. Kids love to play in the creek.

Along the creek kids can hunt frogs and minnows. The woods around are inhabited by box tortoises, squirrels, all sorts of birds, deer, rabbits and snakes.

It is a perfect place for a dinner hike after work. Pack up some sandwiches or a nice salad, a bottle of wine, hike to a nice spot and enjoy a meal. Afterwards the hike out is perfect to walk off some of the calories.

An expansive open field at the trail head is a nice place to play fetch with the dog, flip a frisbee, or just sit in the sun. Next to the Meramec River is a large pavilion with charcoal grills. Restroom facilities are also available.

Unusual Things

Emmenegger Nature Park is the site for one of the Swift Towers (Pic #3) that are being put up in various parks. Swifts are birds more commonly called Chimney Swifts. These birds cannot sit a branch like other birds, but perch on vertical rough surfaces like the inside of chimneys. Now, with most chimneys lined with metal they are running out of places to build their nests. The tower is modeled so these birds have a place to call home.

How to Get There

From Lindbergh and and Watson drive south a half mile to Geyer Road. North, cross over I-44 and turn left on Cragwold Road, follow it until the T intersection and go left on Stoneywood. It is half mile to the entrance. You can't miss it because the road ends at the park.

Enjoy Emmenegger for day hikes, short after work hikes, dog walking, or just sitting and enjoying a little bit of nature in the midst of the city.