Hike Along a Stream on Deer Creek Greenway

Deer Creek Greenway meanders alongside the picturesque Deer Creek, passing through suburban neighborhoods and landscapes adorned with native plants.

I walked 4.2 miles out and back along this paved trail, which has 177 feet of elevation gain. It crosses Deer Creek several times and currently ends in Lorraine Davis Park, honoring an influential African American teacher.

Starting the Walk

I parked in the lot for Deer Creek Park off of Laclede Station Road. There are public restrooms here.

Then I walked towards the trail through the grass, passing by the three-story rocket-themed playground. By it, there is a bouncy space shuttle and a model white car that you can pretend to drive. After you pass the playground the trail is down along the creek.

Down the Trail

I go to the right, heading towards baseball fields. If you go left, the trail leads to a shopping center’s parking lot.

Next, I find an outdoor stairmaster and other fitness equipment for a more intense workout. Nearby is a pavilion.

Looking to the left, you can see a set of stairs descending to the creek. Be careful going down them if you want a closer view of the creek.

I took some pictures of water flowing through the rocks. Then I headed back up again, going to the left on the trail.

Note: Do not descend these stairs during flooding, as the creek can have a dangerous swift current.

*Going to the left to continue on the greenway.*

Next, I come to another intersection. If I went to the right, I would take a trail that leads back to the parking lot and a volleyball court.

I go to the left to a bridge that crosses high above Deer Creek.

*You can see an arched railroad bridge in the distance from the bridge.*

Looking north in the creek, I see a cement arch bridge for the railroad.

*Signs like these help to show where you are at on the trail.*

Sidewalk Hike

The trail transforms into a sidewalk alongside Pacific Avenue, with houses on the left and train tracks on the right.

Along this walk, you can see a narrow metal tunnel goes under the bridge and leads to the other side.

There is a mixture of newer and older homes. I like the older ones, with decorative features that add personal touches for those who built them in an earlier era.

Barnickel Park

I cross Pacific Avenue and arrive at Barnickel Park, where I find a tennis court, an arch with ropes, and some blue circle climbing structures.

Further down, I come to a water bowl with a gallon jug. It’s nice that a person leaves out water for dogs.

Then I come to Marshall Avenue and go right under a railroad overpass.

Marshall Avenue Trailhead

On the other side is the Deer Creek Greenway-Marshall Avenue Trailhead.

If I had my son and his bike with me, we would stop at the bike riding course or pump track, which has little hills and bumps at the trailhead.

I cross busy Brentwood Boulevard and find the trail again on the right.

Lorraine Davis Park

I cross Shady Grove Creek, entering Lorraine Davis Park. Davis was a North Webster resident who taught English and Latin classes at Douglass High School. One of the best high schools in Missouri for African-American students, it was the first and only accredited high school for African-Americans in St. Louis County until schools were desegregated in 1954.

I go to the left, walking by native plants to the trail’s end at Ravine Avenue.

Then I come to the end of the trail.

Heading back before the bridge, I make a right to a covered picnic pavilion that overlooks the confluence of Shady Grove Creek and Deer Creek. In front is a native plant garden.

Now, I head back to Deer Creek Park.

East of Deer Creek Park

When I return to the park, I walk under Laclede Station Road and do the final stretch of the greenway to its end on Big Bend Boulevard.

*To the north of the trail is Deer Creek Shopping Center and behind it the MetroLink line.*

It is located near the Deer Creek Shopping Center, so it is a less scenic walk.

Trail's end by the shopping center — *Trail’s end by the shopping center*

At the trail’s end on this side, it is noted that it is to be extended to Francis R. Slay Park, which would connect it to the River des Peres Greenway.

Final Thoughts

The walk along the creek in the Mid-St. Louis County Area is a pleasant way to enjoy the outdoors. This paved pathway is narrow in places, especially along Pacific Avenue.

If you have your kid with you, the rocket-themed Deer Creek Park playground is always a hit.

NOTE: The creek is used for stormwater sewage, like many inner-city waterways, so no swimming.