Emmenegger Nature Park: Hiking Along Bluffs and Creeks

The walk at Emmenegger Nature Park includes a path along creeks, climbing up bluffs, and seeing a former beer baron’s retreat.

Trailhead sign at Emmenegger Nature Park

My Time Here

I hiked the Bluff Creek Trail along with the paved loop trails and side trails for two miles of hiking with about 320 feet of elevation gain.

Parking was in the small lot next to the trailhead. A larger additional larger parking lot is down along the circle drive towards the back of the park next to restrooms and picnic area.

The bridge leading to the trails. — The bridge leading to the trails

Paved Loop Trails

I crossed a high bridge over a creek that flows into the Meramec River.

The paved trails form two loops. I did the second loop first then did the first loop. The east loop connects to the bluff side of the Bluff Creek Trail. The west loop connects to the brookside of the Bluff Creek Trail. — The paved trails form two loops. I did the second loop first then the first loop. The east loop connects to the bluff side of the Bluff Creek Trail. The west loop connects to the brookside of the Bluff Creek Trail.

After the bridge, I came to the first short paved loop then headed towards the second short loop which crosses back and forth across a brook that flows through the center of the nature park. The short loop trails are disabled access.

River Connector Trail

I headed back towards the first loop and walked by the river on a connector trail to the main trail through the park, the Bluff Creek Trail.

If I hadn’t done this I would have gone up into the river hills sooner walking on the graveled Bluff Creek Trail.

The river connector trail is narrow but has close-up views of the river. Be careful if you use this trail since it is on the river’s edge.

The river went into the woods to the north and looking south you can see the Interstate 44 bridge over the Meramec River.

Bluff Creek Trail

After about .3 miles it turns right and connects to the Bluff Creek Trail. Now I was slowing going up to the high point along the river. This is a climb and a workout

The trail here has a wood chip surface going up then it becomes a natural surface with rocks along the bluffs.

On top of the hill, I looked out into the valley at one time farms, but now industry and factories are below.

In the distance, you can even see the large corporate complex of Maritz with its long skywalk over Interstate 44.

Side Trail to Lemp

I walked along the Bluff Creek Trail until I came to a side trail. It is an out and back and leads to the former Lemp property.

Emmenegger Nature Park sits on land formerly held by the Lemp family, who owned a large St. Louis Brewery around the turn of the 20th century.

Just outside of the park on the northern border on the park is Cragwold, the Lemp’s mansion in the woods with a tower with views of the Meramec River valley, and the stables. An Emmeneggar Nature Park sign is by the field by the estates.

Luna Loop

In this area is a sign for Luna Loop, I followed it some which led me back to the Bluff Creek Trail.

Back Down the River Hill

Bluff Creek Trail led back down to the creek. I saw a huge tree trunk slowly dismantled by termites with its shell barely left.

The brook here flows through rocks and has scraped across the hard surface of the limestone.

A small stream flows into the brook through fallen trees. It seems quite wild in this hidden valley so close to the urban sprawl of St. Louis County.

Interstate 270 Side Trail

I could have followed Bluff Creek Trail along the stream and through the hills back to the paved trails. Yet, I decided to take the side trail that went closer to Interstate 270 and loops back to the Bluff Creek Trail at the bottom of a hill.

I went up along a high hill above Interstate 270. A pull-off area for the park and a nature park sign is here.

Traffic was loud, but I rarely walk this close to freeways with views of the rock cuts along the highway. I was out for an added urban jaunt today.

At the top was a cliff with different colors of graffiti, a hangout for local kids I assumed, reminding me how close the city was.

The side trail headed back down to Bluff Creek Trail.

*The creek below the entrance bridge to the trails.*

As I headed back to the car, I saw a father and son down below the high trail bridge playing in the rocks of the stream. This would be an activity I would do if my son was with me.

Final Thoughts

This area has lots of different trails. It can be confusing, but most loop back together. I found it interesting with a wide variety of sights– river, brook, interstate, cliffs, and an estate all packed in a small area. It is not as scenic or quiet as an Ozark trail further afield, but if you want a bit of urban and nature and close to St. Louis then this trail is for you.

Stables by the Lemp estate, one of the early developments in this area.

More Emmenegger Nature Park Facts

A resort also was once part of this land along with a swimming pool and a tennis club.

Then Russell E. Emmenegger (full namesake of the park), a prominent real estate developer, purchased the land in the 1970s and later donated the property to the City of Kirkwood which is a partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation in managing the nature park.

The nature park contains 93 acres and the adjoining Possum Woods Conservation Area, which adds an additional 15 acres.

*Map of the area. If you look closely you can see in white paved loop trails and then the dotted Bluff Creek Trail that connects back to the paved trails.* For more information go to https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/emmenegger-nature-park

DETAILS

Drive: Take Exit 227b off Interstate 44 heading south on Kirkwood Road then take the first right onto Watson Road then another right onto Geyer Road and once you cross Interstate 44 make a left onto Cragwold Road and then another left onto Stoneywood Drive to the parking lot.

Hours: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Daily

Address:

11991 Stoneywood Dr, St. Louis, MO 63122

Lunch Stop: Nathaniel Reid Bakery

At the corner of Manchester Road and Geyer Road in Kirkwood is the Nathaniel Reid Bakery. I had a chicken salad croissant sandwich with a chocolate and almond croissant for dessert.

The chocolate and almond croissant were sweet and soft and melted in my mouth. Paired with coffee it will be a dessert treat I will go for again. Best croissants since Paris. Although, I am tempted to try other delicacies here.

Hours: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday; Closed Sunday – Monday

Address:

11243 Manchester Rd, Kirkwood, MO 63122

NEARBY TRAILS

Powder Valley Nature Center

Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center has paved trails for families to explore the woods crossing wooden bridges over small rocky brooks and streams.

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.