Rockwoods Range Conservation Area is a wooded area in St. Louis West County that is not as busy as the other nearby parks so if you want a hike close to St. Louis alone then this is the trail for you.
I felt this way since I was the only person on the trail the whole time although it was mid-morning on a Wednesday, so timing probably helped the most.
History of Rockwoods Range
The 1,453 -acre Rockwoods Range was acquired by the Missouri Conservation Department in 1943, thanks in large part to A.P. Greensfelder, who donated the land.
A memorial in the area designates where there was a uniquely designed roundhouse that Greensfelder built as a summer cottage.
My Hike
Here I hiked the 3-mile Round House Loop Trail. This trail can be entered from the .6-mile Fox Creek Spur Trail from Fox Creek Road or from the parking lot for the Dogwood Trail in Greensfelder Park.
Starting the Hike
I started from the Dogwood Trailhead since I was doing more hiking up at Rockwoods Reservation. This .25-mile gravel mostly flat trail was an easier hike than the .6-mile Fox Creek Spur Trail, which is all uphill from the trailhead.
At this trailhead, just ignore the signs about the other trails and just keep going up on the main gravel road leading to the Roundhouse Memorial.
After aways, you will come to a sign that says entering Rockwoods Range Conservation Area.
Roundhouse Memorial
The memorial includes stone steps leading to a circular rock wall with a cement memorial in the middle.
On one side are names and the other an etched memorial. I had a hard time reading it. It would be nice if there was an informational sign to give you a better sense of what the home might have looked like or about the Greensfelders.
At The Loop Trailhead
The gravel road goes into a circle around the memorial and it seems there was parking here at one time. At the back is where the loop connects with the memorial grounds. I started the loop from the left with the red trail marker. If you go from the right you are starting with the Round House Loop Trail sign.
A Walk in the Woods
This trail is wide and rocky in parts with some muddy sections. It has rained a lot lately so it made this a little harder walk than a dry day.
I went up along ridges before passing an old trail along the way. Then came to a small grove of cedar trees.
The trail descends and goes along a rocky intermittent stream.
Fox Creek Spur
After the stream, the trail ascends to meet Fox Creek Spur. I still had a lot more hiking to do so I didn’t have the energy to do the .6 mile descent than a .6 mile ascent in order to do the spur.
After Fox Creek Spur
After the Fox Creek Spur intersection, the trail goes up and down more ridges.
Along here I came across a darkened tree trunk. It looked like it had been hit hard by lightning with not much left to show for it.
Then the trail connects with the Fox Run Trail that goes to the north part of Rockwoods Range.
I headed up a ridge and back to the Roundhouse Memorial. This time I walked the other side of the memorial passing by two painted blue outhouses with a half-moon cut into the door. I liked the detail on them.
Walking back to the trailhead was easy now since I had passed this way before.
Final Thoughts
It was not the most interesting trail I’ve done, but for a walk in the deep woods along a wide trail near St. Louis, this works well. Also, if you are walking with someone and want to talk this a good one to choose.
Other Trails in Rockwoods Range
Fox Run Trail
Fox Run Trail is a 3.5-mile trail that has a trailhead off of Fox Creek Road on the northside of Rockwoods Range.
It is a narrow trail with many descents and ascents and has a few benches with views of the surrounding hilly countryside. This trail also crosses some brooks that feed into Fox Creek. It is a point-to-point trail and not a loop.
I might do this trail in a future hike.
Green Rock Trail
This 14.5-mile trail goes 2.9 miles through the area. This trail connects to other parks in the area and its southern trailhead is by the Fox Creek Spur. It goes its own way through Rockwoods Range sometimes close to other trails.
DETAILS:
NOTE: Dogs on a leash are allowed. Some of the trails here can be used by horses and bicycles.
DRIVE: Take Interstate 44 to exit 261 for Allenton Road/ Six Flags Road in Eureka. Use the right two lanes to turn right onto Allenton Road and then follow signs for Allenton Road as you go past Six Flags. Look for the Declue and Dogwood Trailhead parking on your left before you get to the Greensfelder Park Visitors Center.
If you want to enter the area from the Fox Creek Spur make a left onto Fox Creek Road from Allenton Road just after you exit Interstate 44. Fox Creek Parking Lot is on the left and the trailhead for the Fox Creek Spur is on the other side of the road from the parking lot. Continue down Fox Creek Road for the north trailhead for the Fox Run Trail.
Hours: Open sunrise to one-half hour after sunset daily.
Address: DeClue Trail Trailhead — Greensfelder Park, Wildwood, MO 63069; Fox Creek Spur/Green Rock Trailhead — Green Rock Trail, Wildwood, MO 63069; Fox Run Trailhead — Fox Creek Rd, Wildwood, MO 63069
Nearby Dad Hikes
Dad Hikes: Rockwood Reservation
Hiking in Rockwoods Reservation you come across caves, old mines, and a spring. In this 1,880- acre conservation area just outside of St. Louis, you can hike a number of different trails through forest, grassland, and hills.
Dad Hikes: Spending the Day At Castlewood State Park
Cliffside walks along the Meramec River and wading in Kiefer Creek were part of our day at Castlewood State Park.
This park has an interesting past and is known for its trail along the Meramec River and especially the cliffs at the top.
Dad Hikes: Lone Elk Park
Lone Elk Park in West County St. Louis is the only place where you are guaranteed to see elk or bison in a gated park. Here you can hike the four-mile earthen and rock White Bison Trail in the elk section or you can see the wildlife by driving through the park on a mostly one-lane road.
Dad Hikes — Many times I will do these hikes alone to learn the lay of the land before we do it as a family. Feel free to share suggestions for hikes to do. Also, share any questions you might have on the hikes!
