2021 Top Ten Hikes

Here are the top ten hikes I liked the most in 2021. I chose them based on length, how much I enjoyed them, and what natural beauty I saw.

Pickle Springs: Best Missouri Ozark Hike Near St. Louis

Pickle Springs Natural Area is a two-mile hike that highlights some of the best of the Missouri Ozarks.

It has wet weather waterfalls, springs, sandstone rock formations, and even views of the surrounding mountains.

Fall Hikes: Taum Sauk Mountain To Devil’s Tollgate

Taum Sauk Mountain State Park is where you hike to the highest point in the state and the highest wet-weather waterfall. Then you can continue down to the rock formation of Devil’s Tollgate along the Ozark Trail.

Cave Hiking at Meramec State Park

Meramec State Park is where you can hike from one cave to another, staring into the darkness in each one, a favorite hike for my son.

Over 40 caves wind through the limestone and dolomite layers underneath the park and you can see a few of them hiking the park’s trails.

See Castle Ruins at Ha Ha Tonka State Park

Castle ruins on a cliff above Lake of the Ozarks, a natural bridge, and a clear spring are some of the treasures at Ha Ha Tonka State Park.

Waterfalls and Caves at Ferne Clyffe State Park

Walking along a clear stream to waterfalls and going up into the cliffs to see a cave are some of the natural treasures at Ferne Clyffe State Park. The park has a large number of trails to explore.

See Giant Boulders at Elephant Rocks State Park

Elephant-shaped boulders on a bedrock dome and ruins of an engine house combine for a day of exploration at Elephant Rocks State Park.

Dad Hikes: Piney Creek Ravine Nature Preserve

The largest area of Native American Rock art in Illinois is found at Piney Creek Ravine Nature Preserve.

This 198-acre nature preserve also has cascading waterfalls and colorful limestone cliffs.

Feeding Trout at Maramec Spring Park

Exploring a clear flowing spring, a trout hatchery, and a former ironworks is a day of fun at Maramec Spring Park.

Favorite Urban Hike: Tower Grove Park

Victorian-era Tower Grove Park has one-of-a-kind picnic pavilions, one with a circus tent-like roof or another with Chinese dragons. It is my favorite park in St. Louis.

Fall Hikes: Powder Valley Nature Center

Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center has paved trails for families to explore the woods crossing wooden bridges over small rocky brooks and streams.