Columbia Bottom Conservation Area: Confluence Hike

Finding my way to viewing the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers was my goal at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area.

Entering the Conservation Area

I parked at the lot for the Confluence Trail after driving on gravel towards the river.

Start of the Hike

I checked out the information board and found a brochure on the area in a box nearby. It was not updated about the current conditions. You should be able to drive closer to the confluence overlook, but a flood in 2019 buried the road and trails in mud and debris. I remembered the closed road leading to the confluence so I will walk it.

Mostly cleared road heading towards the confluence.

The trail was mostly paved. Along the side of it, you could tell where they had cleared out the mud and debris to have it open once more for hiking.

Off the Paved Trail

I came to a point where part of the road was swampy. To my left was a narrow natural surface trail that went through large vegetation. This had a jungle feel since the plant life was taller than me. It led back to the paved trail once more.

Back on the Pavement

I passed by a large field then the pavement went in two directions.

I first went to the left that dead-ended. Then walked back to the Y this time going right.

The pavement came to an end, but straight ahead was another narrow jungle trail.

Parking area with buildings partially buried.

I passed by an area that included closed restrooms, parking, and signs still moored in river mud.

A large tree trunk slammed against the overlook.

At the Confluence

I came to the cement confluence overlook.

A large tree trunk lay to the side of a wall. Parts of the walls were still damaged from when the river was high here back in 2019.

A closer view of the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.

Across the river was the confluence where the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers meet. In the distance, I could see the Confluence Tower in Hartford, Il. where you can look out over the river from high up.

Quote on a bench by American explorer William Clark.

Benches here had inscribed quotes about the meeting of the rivers.

“…The basin of the Mississippi is the body of the nation” – Mark Twain, 1880.

“The Missouri River is too thick to drink and too thin to plow” – Missouri farmers, 1800s to present.

Back by the Restrooms

Walking back I stopped at what had been confluence parking.

Next to the restrooms was a cement informational sign on the confluence area. It is now in wet mud where it had been on the pavement before. A pole in the middle shows the different heights of flooding with the bottom of it dirty from the most recent floods.

A distance shelter house and sign stood in high grass. It is a reminder of the power of water.

Going to the Trailhead

Then I turned my sights back to the narrow path. This time taking in the different grasses and flowers found here.

I stopped to watch butterflies flapping their wings around me, taking a photo of one that landed near me.

As I walked back, I noticed this time corn in the field next to me. I wasn’t sure if this was planted or grew from long ago seeds since it was a small area and was in weeds.

Along the way, I found a sign in weeds that said Bus Parking. Although not available now since what was parking is buried in mud and overgrown by plants.

After going through the narrow trail once more I ended back at the trailhead parking. A little over two-mile walk adding in the short trail to the confluence lookout.

View of the Chain of Rocks Canal from the overlook.

Final Thoughts

I enjoyed the jungle feel of the hike. Since it was a mile walk through tall plants it was more of an adventure than when I came here long ago when you could park near the confluence.

If you want a moment with nature where two major rivers meet, then it is worth the hike. Just make sure to bring bug spray.

DETAILS:

Drive: Go on Interstate 270 east and take exit 34 and make a left onto Riverview Drive which becomes Columbia Bottom Road. Make a right into the park on Madison Ferry Road and then follow this a short way before making a right onto a park road and stay on this until you pass the boat ramp and it is the next parking lot for the confluence.

Hours: Closed from one-half hour after sunset until one-half hour before sunrise daily.

Address: 801 Strodtman Rd, St. Louis, MO 63138