Meramec River views and caves are some of the sites at Meramec Conservation Area. This area is just across the river from the more well-known Meramec State Park, which I will talk about in my next blog.

1.3 Mile Woodland Trail at Meramec Conservation Area

Finding The Cave

I spent my time here exploring the paved ADA access Woodland Trail through the woods. (Although, a section of this trail is not ADA accessible due to bridge repairs.)

This is an easy loop trail to do as it weaves its way through the woods.

I took the trail section to the right to head towards Lone Hill Onyx Cave.

The cave is a little off the main trail with a boardwalk going near the entrance. It was a dry day so there was no water flowing out of the streambed near it.

My only wish here was that the viewing platform was closer to the cave entrance.

Wrong Trail

After checking out the cave I headed to the Old Reedsville Trail that offers bluff views.

Yet, I messed up and ended up walking up a connector trail to the Multi-Use Trail without realizing it.

After walking along an empty streambed then going up into the hills I noticed that I was getting farther away from the river so I turned back the way I came.

Once I was back on Woodland Trail I noticed the turn-off for the Old Reedsville Trail but I was tired by this point and didn’t have the energy to go up another hill for the views. I had hiked at Meramec State Park earlier in the day.

Back on the Woodland

I took the Woodland trail that now follows along the wooded river bottom with occasional Meramec River views back to the trailhead.

Final Thoughts

The paved Woodland Trail is a good addition if you’ve done the trails at Meramec State Park. It would be nice to go here on a day that it has rained recently to see the rocky streambeds with water in them.

I wish I had time to check out the cliff, but I had to get back home since I had already spent part of my day at Meramec State Park.

Old Reedsville School Trail

The 5.5 mile Old Reedsville School Trail connects to the Woodland Trail and you can do part of it if you want some bluff views and see a small cave. It is marked yellow.

A side trail leads to a marker for the Reedsville Log School with a remnant of the structure. A nearby stone tablet includes teachers’ names and their years of service at the old school.

The school site can also be reached easily by a trailhead along the Spanish Claim Road that goes on the backside of the conservation area.

This trail also leads to a former lookout tower along with a stone chimney that had been the tower keeper’s house and now next to it is a picnic shelter.

10.5-mile Multi-Use Trail

This trail is also used for horses. It goes by mine sites and wet hollows, sadly the water was not flowing the day I was on it since it has been dry.

NOTE: The main blog photo was taken from a lookout along the drive into the conservation area and was worth stopping at for the view.

DETAILS

Drive: Drive down Interstate 44 out of St. Louis and stay on this road until you get to Exit 226 for Mo-185 S toward Sullivan. Take Mo-185 south and after you pass Meramec State Park and cross the Meramec River look for the entrance to the conservation area on your left. Brochures are available by a wooden sign by the backside of the conservation office near the entrance.

Hours: Sunrise to sunset

Admission: Free

Address: Sullivan, MO 63080

Next, I will talk about coming across the many caves at Meramec State Park!

NEARBY DAD HIKE WITH CAVE

Dad Hikes: Onondaga Cave State Park

Here we peered into an old cave entrance and felt the cold spray of a spring at Onondaga Cave State Park.

More Cave Hikes

Dad Hikes: Prehistoric Graham Cave State Park

Graham Cave State Park is right off Interstate 70 and is a hike into ancient history. Hiking through the park you walk in the footsteps of hunter-gathers thousands of years ago who found shelter in Graham Cave.

Dad Hikes: Cliff Cave Park

Near St. Louis is Cliff Cave Park with panoramic Mississippi River views and a cave to check out along its trails.

Dad Hikes: Silver Mines

A mineshaft and a cascading river rushing through the remains of a stone-cut dam are what await you at Silver Mines Recreation Area.

This is not a cave, but a cool mine shaft that you can check out!

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!