Florissant: Sunset Park Hike

Hike down from a hilltop view to the shores of the Missouri River on a trail at Sunset Park in Florissant, MO.

This is a nearly 2-mile paved out-and-back hike with an elevation gain of 171 feet, mostly shaded.

At the Trailhead

After entering the park, I took the road to the right and then turned right again onto a road leading to a large parking lot.

The trail to the river begins at the front of the lot, going to the right to the woods. If you take the path to the left, you’ll find the Sunset Greenway Trail, which leads out of the park and concludes at the St. Ferdinand Shrine near Old Town Florissant. This is a three-mile walk or six-mile walk back to the shrine.

I headed to the right for my walk today.

Start of the Hike

The trail winds through the woods, descending in switchbacks.

I visited in winter, so parts of the trail still had snow.

You can easily see the Missouri River below since the leaves are off the trees.

*Bench stop along the way down with the Missouri River flowing in the distance.*

Benches are regularly placed along the trail, so there are many places to take a break.

I looked up the trail and saw the Sunset Nature Lodge, a wooden A-frame building that groups can rent.

*Walking below the tall electric lines.*

As I descended the hill, I walked beneath large electric lines visible in the park.

Riverside

At the bottom of the hill, an emergency call box is available. This area can flood, so avoid being here during high water.

High in the trees, an eagle flew from the shoreline to the river. Eagles build nests along rivers in winter, making it a good time to see them fishing in the waters.

The trail concludes in a circular path, and a sign near the river discusses the wildlife and habitat found along the river.

I walked closer to the river, where the shoreline was frosted with snow, and logs cluttered my view.

*Ravine with water flowing down along the walk.*

Going Back

Heading back, I stopped at a ravine where water cascaded down the hillside.

I now faced an uphill climb to the top.

After winding my way around the river hills, I returned to the parking lot.

*Another view of the river along the river walk section at the bottom of the hill.*

Final Thoughts

This hike is not difficult because it is paved but strenuous as it goes up and down a river hill, so be prepared for a workout. I liked the views along the river and would return if I wanted to spend some time along the river and do a hill climb.

Added Walk

I decided to explore the park, so I went left along the park road and then turned right onto Sunset Park Drive. This road led to a circle drive around a shelter on a hill.

This short hike was a 0.30-mile out-and-back walk with an elevation gain of 81 feet.

DETAILS

Drive: Take Interstate 270 to exit 23, then go north on James S. McDonnell Boulevard. This road becomes Howdershell Road and then Shackleford Road. Make a left turn onto Sunset Park Drive, then turn right after entering the park. There are two parking lots located here, with the trailhead to the left of the lots.

Hours: Dawn to 8 p.m., Daily

Address: 2300 Sunset Park Dr, Florissant, MO 63031

MORE NORTH ST. LOUIS COUNTY HIKES

Monastery Ruins at Saint Stanislaus

Hiking around stone foundations on the grounds of a former monastery was the highlight of my time at Saint Stanislaus Conservation Area.

*Grand steps among the ruins of the summer retreat in the park.*

Fort Belle Fontaine Hike

Grounds of a former 19th-century U.S. Military installation and ruins of a popular summer retreat in the 1930s can be explored at Fort Belle Fontaine County Park in North St. Louis County.

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