Daniel Boone Bridge From Busch Greenway Hike

Take a hike along a rocky creek on the Busch Greenway then cross the Daniel Boone Bridge for far-off Missouri River views.

This 5.4-mile out-and-back hike involves crossing the Interstate 64 bridge along a pedestrian walkway to go from St. Charles County to St. Louis County.

The trail surface is mostly paved with a Katy Trail gravel section. Elevation gain is 361 feet as you go up and down from along the river.

*Sign by the trailhead provides information about the area.*

Start of the Hike

I parked at the Busch Greenway: Missouri Research Park Trailhead at the end of Research Park Drive.

The Busch Greenway connects August A. Busch Conservation Area to Weldon Spring to the Missouri Research Center ending at Katy Trail at mile marker 52.1.

The Greenway to Katy Trail begins to the left of the parking lot.

Duckett Creek Sanitary Plant

Next to the trailhead is the Duckett Creek Sanitary wastewater treatment plant. The plant uses a state-of-the-art natural treatment process that involves no chemicals and recycles all end products – clean water and biosolids- back into nature. Water flows out of this facility and down Duckett Creek.

Busch Greenway

The trail heads downhill along the creek with woods on the side.

I stopped along the walk to check out the fast-moving water along the rocky creek bed. Further downstream a large tree has fallen over the creek.

Then I came to a black railing bridge that crossed a small brook.

Next, I came to another bridge that crosses over a section of the creek.

A wooden railing bridge leads to a boardwalk. Other brooks and creeks flow into Duckett Creek.

Along this walk an information sign explains the long history of the Weldon Spring Conservation Area.

Now I come to the end of the trail at Katy Trail. You can go right along the Katy Trail further into the Weldon Spring Conservation Area and points beyond for a much longer hike.

Katy Trail

I went to the left along the gravel surface towards the Daniel Boone Bridge.

On the left are river hills with white cliffs.

On the right is a small river valley with the Duckett Creek flowing down below before it enters the Missouri River.

In some leaves below the cliffs, I heard something scratching at leaves and it was an upside-down turtle with a dark brown shell. I was about to help him, but he was able to right himself. For a moment he stared up at me and I took a photo of him.

Further on I looked up to see a white eroded bluff high above me.

Small waterfall in the Duckett Creek valley — *Small waterfall in the Duckett Creek* valley.

Then I heard water flowing fast. A low waterfall was formed from the eroded soil caused by the quick-moving water.

*Stone arch pillars along the Katy Trail*

Next, I came back by grey stone arched pillars of a building frame from an abandoned limestone quarry. This is located at Milepost 51.3 along the Katy Trail just before the Daniel Boone Bridge.

Daniel Boone Bridge

Now I came to the connector trail that crosses the bridge to the Missouri Greenway located along the levee in Chesterfield.

You can continue on the Katy Trail that eventually goes to St. Charles ending in Machens, for a much longer hike.

I turned to the left and went up the connector. At the top, you go to the right along the pedestrian walkway on the bridge.

You are high above the Missouri River. You can stop by two lookouts along the walk.

*The railing separates you from the river.*

I put my iPhone carefully between the bars to take photos hoping not to drop into the river far below.

Crossing the bridge I entered Chesterfield.

*Going right along the Missouri Greenway to the outlet mall. This view of the greenway is facing the bridge. The outlet mall is to the right.*

Next, I came to the Missouri Greenway which follows along the levee. There are trailheads along this greenway.

I was only walking a short way to the St. Louis Premium Outlets. You can walk down to the outlet mall, but there is not an official path and there are no trespassing signs so enter the mall grounds at your own risk. Also, the walk to the mall can be muddy.

Heading Back

After the mall, I went back up to the Missouri Greenway to go across the bridge over the river once more.

*Benches along the Katy Trail allow for a break*

On the way back I stopped at a bench to eat a snack and drink some water admiring the river below on the Katy Trail.

Then I made a turn back onto the Busch Greenway to the trailhead.

Final Thoughts

This hike is easy but does involve some elevation gain. I like the views of the high cliffs, the Missouri River flowing below and the walk creek side to the trailhead as the best section.

DETAILS

No public restrooms are located along the trails in this area. The closest restrooms would be at the outlet center during business hours.

Drive: Interstate 64 to exit 11 and then make a right onto Wolfrum Road then another right onto Research Park Circle then a right onto Research Park Drive and another right onto Research Park Drive again that heads southwest to Busch Greenway Trail Head.

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Address: Busch Greenway Trail Head, Research Park Dr, Lake St Louis, MO 63367