Hiking Along the River at Lower Meramec Park

Lower Meramec Park is a walk-through flat bottomland forest with Meramec River views with a trailhead just off of Interstate 55.

At the Trailhead

I began the four-mile asphalt trail hike from the Krumm Road Trailhead near the intersection of Interstate 55 and Meramec Bottom Road. This is an easy trailhead to get to since it is right off the interstate.

Starting the Hike

I headed downhill towards the Meramec River.

*Interstate on the left side of the trail*

This part of the hike is noisy going along Interstate 55 towards the river.

I crossed a bridge and below was a canal-like creek. You can tell that water had been higher in it since the sides were bare of plants.

Along the Meramec River

Then the trail goes turns west along the river. I walked out along a mowed path for my first view of the muddy Meramec. This part of the river is slow-moving and filled with silt. At the headwaters, such as near Meramec State Park, it moves faster and clearer.

Occasionally, short trails lead out to river views.

*Natural surface Tall Timbers Trail going into the woods.*

I came to the first intersection with the 1.2-mile Tall Timbers Trail.

This is a natural surface trail that goes into the woods away from the river.

The Point

Before the trail turns north towards the Krumm Road Trailhead, a side trail leads to a high point on the river. This trail does connect back to the paved trail following the turn. I walked out onto it taking in a view of a distant island where I saw a blue heron standing in the far distance.

Going North

I passed a ditch with tall trees and then came to an open field. Here I saw a deer staring back at me munching on grass.

Sigh for the Tall Timbers Trail — *Sign for the Tall Timbers Trail*

Next, I came to the intersection of the other part of the Tall Timbers Trail.

After going through a little more forest, I was at the Holzer Park Road Trailhead.

Here I found an informational sign on the river and the biodiversity of the park.

Going Back

Then I turned around and walked back.

I stopped again at the point to see jet skiers flying fast through the water. I was careful here since the trail hugged close to the mud bank and if I fell, I would be stuck in the mud below. If you have kids watch them closely if you go out to the point. After this stop, I headed back to the Krumm Road Trailhead.

Final Thoughts

This was a mostly level paved hike with easy access from the interstate. I enjoyed the river views and walking through bottomland forests. The only part that was bad was the section along Interstate 55 with highway noise.

*Area map with trails and trailhead parking* at Lower Meramec Park

Tall Timbers Trail

Reached by either trailhead, it is a 1.2-mile natural surface trail. The trail leads to a small spring and wetland swamp. For the shortest hike to Tall Timbers Trail use the Holzer Park Trailhead for a 1.5 loop and back.

More About Lower Meramec Park

Numerous clubhouse communities dotted the area prior to becoming a park. These weekend retreats fell into hard times after a series of floods in the 1980s and early 1990s.

This land was turned into parkland following buyouts from the 1993 flood. This area was under a depth of ten feet of water that summer for a month.

The park consists of 273 acres and is a mixture of bottomland woodlands and open fields.

Map of the Area from Great RiversGreenway

DETAILS

NOTE: This park and trails can be closed to flooding. Check the WEBSITE before going and don’t enter flooded areas.

Drive to Krumm Road Trailhead: Take Interstate 55 south to exit 193 and make a right onto Meramec Bottom Road and then right away look for Krumm Road on the left and turn down this road which ends at Meramec Greenway Krumm Road Trailhead.

Address:

4756 Krumm Rd, St. Louis, MO 63128

Drive to Holzer Park Road Trailhead: Take Interstate 55 south to exit 193 and make a right onto Meramec Bottom Road and then drive on this road for ways and then make a left onto Holzer Park Road which ends at trailhead parking.

Address:

Holzer Park Rd, St. Louis, MO 63128

Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.