Hiking alongside a brook and discovering frogs in a swamp made for a delightful day with my child at Broemmelsiek Park in Defiance, Missouri.
This park has more than 9 miles of paved and unpaved multi-use trails to explore. It is a 494-acre park in west St. Charles County and only about four miles off of Interstate 64.
We explored this park with my son and our dog.
Cattle Ridge Trail
We first explored the 1.1-mile Cattle Ridge Trail parking in the large lot for shelters 2 and 3.
The trailhead lies between the two shelters.
Starting the Hike
A long cement bridge with a metal green railing leads to the natural surface trail.
My son wanted to check out Kraut Run Creek below so we walked along the rock and pebble creek for a bit checking out the cliff. (Main Blog Photo)
Heading On
I pointed out some purple flowers blooming with spring in the air.
Then we came to a muddy area that people had put logs on to cross.
Crossing Back and Forth
Next, we crossed a brook that flows into Kraut Run. Water was flowing through the pebbles and we carefully walked through it not get wet.
A nearby tree roots were heavily exposed as the creek kept cutting into it.
The trail follows closely along this brook.
We cross over the brook again. Using stepping stones so we don’t get our shoes wet.
On The Other Side
Now we walk on the east side of the brook. My son finds a large tree lying sideways that he climbs up.
We find a connector to more trails in the park. My son is ready to check another area in the park so we head back down the hill to the bridge.
Final Thoughts
This hike with creek and brook crossings and going through a forest along with some ups and downs is a perfect mile walk to do with a kid. He loved stopping at the brooks and creek and following it through the woods. I would recommend this trail for families who want to make a natural surface trail that is not too long for a young kid.
Betty’s Lake Loop
Parking for this ¾ mile-paved loop trail can be found by Shelter 7 or by the Visitor Center. Also, parking can be found at a small parking lot for a picnic area north of the swamp.
Swamp Area
We headed first by the swamp area on the west side of Betty’s Lake.
Here we saw lots of frogs in the algae by the shoreline. They were hard to spot at first until we began to get the hang of looking for their lime-green mouths. Towards the back of the swamp, we also saw some brown-shelled turtles.
Boardwalk
A long boardwalk goes across a part of the lake. In the water, we found more frogs, ducks, and a few geese. People fished off the railing here.
East Shore
The east side of the lake had a rock beach where you can rent kayaks to explore the lake by water.
Above this area is the Visitor’s Center which includes a back patio with picnic tables that overlook the lake.
By the Dam
The trail then goes across the dam and by this area are information boards with information about wildlife and the environment.
It started to rain so we had to head out.
Final Thoughts
Betty’s Lake paved trail was easy to do and allowed for time to see wildlife around the lake and see different terrain than the woods hike. It is a good match with the other hike.
Other Trails
I would print out the park map before I went to the park to use as a guide to the many trails here. You could also go to the Visitor Center for more information.
More Activities in the Park
Off Schwede Road is an Astronomy Viewing Area and an Agriculture Education Garden. If you have a dog the park has an Off-Leash Area. Located throughout the park are playgrounds. Horse riders and mountain bikers also use natural surface trails. Also, you can fish in the ponds and lakes.
DETAILS:
Drive: Take Interstate 64 west to Exit 6 and turn left onto Highway DD. Make a right turn onto Schwede Road and then a left onto Broemelsiek Drive which will take you through most of the park.
Hours: 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Address: 1795 Hwy Dd, Defiance, MO 63341
MORE ST. CHARLES COUNTY HIKES
Quail Ridge Park Hike
Stealey Way Trail crosses small brooks and goes along Peruque Creek through Quail Ridge Park south of Wentzville, Mo.
Busch Memorial Conservation Area Hike
Like scenes of a post-apocalyptic nightmare or a zombie movie, abandoned cement bunkers are scattered throughout August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area.
