Cuivre River State Park: Frenchman's Bluff Hike

The Frenchman’s Bluff Trail features a half-mile walk along limestone cliffs at Cuivre River State Park near Troy, Missouri.

I hiked this trail at 1.7 miles, although the trail guide says it is 1.5 miles, and it has 200 feet of elevation gain.

Entering the Park

I entered Cuivre State Park via Missouri Highway 147, making my first stop at the visitor center. Here, you can learn about the area’s cultural and natural history through their exhibits. Also, maps and park rangers are available for more information on the trails.

After picking up the map, I made a left onto Big Sugar Creek Drive and followed it until it ended at the trailhead.

Start of the Hike

An information board with maps of the park’s trails, including the Frenchman’s Bluff Trail, is by the trailhead parking lot.

The stone and wooden shelter located above the parking area was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which provided employment for unemployed men during the Great Depression.

The trailhead begins on the right of the playground near the woods.

Look for the Frenchmen’s Bluff Trail sign. A notice at the bottom reads: “Caution, steep drop-offs along this trail,” so take note.

Blue Marking Importance

Other trails lead off of this one, so keep an eye on the blue blaze as you come to intersections.

*First intersection where I continued following the blue arrows.*

I saw the blue marking at the first intersection and went to the left along Geode Creek.

Then, I came to another intersection and went to the right to cross the creek.

It was dry today, but there is a log bridge for wetter times.

Next, I came to a short boardwalk over a small brook.

*Going to the left at the start of the loop.*

A fork in the trail was the start of the loop section, and I went left for the quickest route to the cliffs.

Then I crossed Cheatham Road and went uphill.

Cliff Side

After going up, I came to a bluff and saw for the first time the dark green waters of the Cuivre River.

The trail now went along the bluffs. On this rocky walk, I began to go uphill slowly.

Next, I stopped for a moment to stop by a bluff and view with gnarled cedars nearby. (Pictured in main blog photo)

Then, I came to a rocky precipice that reached a point along the bluff. Looking to the right, I saw more cliffs and, between the trees, the river below.

The walk continued along the bluffs to where the river began to turn to the right. Looking into the river, I saw a low rock dam crossing it.

Looking to the right as you walk, you will see the gravel road along here.

*Troy, Mo., can be seen in the distance*

I would occasionally stop to look out and see distant hills and even Troy, Mo, far away.

If you look north, you can see a quarry.

After going through a small forest of cedars, I came to a circle of boulders.

*Look for a low spot across the road for the trail.*

The Frenchman’s Bluff Trail crosses the gravel road at this point. Look for a depression in the ground across the road and a blue trail marker.

If you kept on the trail along the bluffs, you would be on a longer hike to the Cuivre River Trail or Blackhawk Point Trail.

Heading Back

Now, I was back in the woods. This section goes downhill a long way and is less muddy than the part I had taken up to the cliffs.

Again, I noted the blue markers as the trail intersected with others. Make sure to follow the arrows to return to the trailhead.

Final Thoughts

This was a moderate hike with some elevation gain. It was short, so it wasn’t too bad. I would probably do this trail again in the future with my son, who would enjoy the views and the rocky bluffs. It is also not too far outside of the St. Louis Metro area, being near Troy, Mo.

DETAILS

More Activities: This large park offers many activities, including camping, swimming, fishing, boating, and horseback riding on some of the trails. For more information, visit the website.

Trailhead Drive: Take either Interstate 64 or Interstate 70 to U.S. Highway 61 and go north. Then exit onto Missouri Highway 47, go east, and make a left onto Missouri Highway 147. Follow this road until it ends at the trailhead after passing by the Visitor’s Center.

Hours: 6 am – Sunset, daily, Year-Round — Camping is available

Trailhead Address: Frenchmen’s Bluff Trailhead, Big Sugar Creek Drive, Troy, MO 63379

NEARBY HIKE

Cuirve River State Park: Turkey Hollow Hike

Turkey Hollow Trail offers a brief hike through fields and woods alongside a small brook at Cuirve River State Park.

I hiked 0.8 miles with an elevation gain of 95 feet.

Earlier Hike: Hiking Gone Wrong at Cuivre River State Park

My first thought on doing Lone Spring Trail at Cuivre State Park should be renamed “Lost Springs Trail” since I spent some of the time not finding the trail. This was an adventurous hike with a lot of lessons learned.

MORE TRAILS

The park has many trails, and I will discuss some of them in future blogs. I will also point out the four other trails that can be reached by the Frenchman’s Bluff parking area.

Cuivre River Trail South Loop

A 7.25-mile natural surface loop trail that follows Frenchman’s Bluff for several miles. The trail heads back into the Big Sugar Creek valley and runs along the creek, eventually leading back to the starting point. The trail can be hiked in smaller sections using White Connectors. Refer to the park map for more information. This trail can be reached by the Frenchman’s Bluff Trailhead. White Connector 5 connects to the 4-mile Cuivre River North Trail Loop that goes along Big Sugar Creek.

Hamilton Hollow Trail

This trail begins and ends near the stone picnic shelter by the Frenchman’s Bluff Trail parking lot. Hamilton Hollow has a wide array of spring wildflowers and some of the park’s largest trees. The northern part of this trail is shared with the Cuivre River Trail.

Blackhawk Point Trail

A 5.75 natural surface loop trail that can also be reached by the Hamilton Hollow Trailhead. The trail follows Cheatham Road for 1.75 miles and then heads back into the woods toward Blackhawk Point on Frenchman’s Bluff.

The trail follows Frenchman’s Bluff for three miles. It shares tread with the Cuivre River and Hamilton Hollow Trails. It also goes into the Geode Creek valley and Hamilton Hollow before ending by the CCC shelter.