Kirkwood Park Hike

Take a hike along a rocky creek, through forested hills, and around a clear lake in a loop walk in Kirkwood Park.

*Map of the park showing the lot on the right side of the lake where I parked to start the walk.*

This two-mile hike includes paved and unpaved sections, stairs, and a 102-foot elevation gain.

Walker Lake

I parked in the large lot behind Kirkwood Community Center near a bridge that crosses a brook that flows into the lake.

First Paved Section

After the bridge, I went to the left along a paved trail that goes along the lake.

Along the way were wooden signs with book pages on them as part of a Storybook Walk for kids.

The pathway along the lake follows a shoreline filled with plantings, bushes, and rock walls.

Then the trail curves around the dam and then I went along the other side of the shoreline.

You can either end the walk with a short loop over on this side that includes stairs or turn to go up to the parking lot.

I made a right at the parking lot and walked along it to the sidewalk along Monroe Avenue where I made another right. This sidewalk ends and now the trail becomes wood chips.

*Look for the trail along Monroe Avenue.*

Woodchip Trail by the Creek

This was my favorite part of the hike. At first, it follows the road on the right side. Passing below a community garden up on the hillside.

It is not a busy road even going across a creek at a low water crossing.

*View of the creek and also shown in the main photo.*

The trail crosses the road and goes into woods and near a rocky clear creek.

I came across a hedgeapple or Osage orange tree. These trees produce large fruits, although not eaten by humans or livestock.

The trees were once used as fence lines or hedges for property and their wood was used by Native Americans for bows.

The creek flows through a number of rock outcroppings. A wooden bridge leads to a side trail.

Hearing leaves move in the woods I spotted a deer staring at me in the forest.

Hillside Walk

Near the intersection of the road with W. Adams Drive, the trail crosses it and goes up into the hills.

Now the trail was hillside above W. Adams Drive.

Side trails connect with it going out of the woods towards the baseball fields.

*Trail out of the woods and along the baseball field.*

I stayed on the main trail coming out of the woods near a maintenance building.

Since the trail ended, I was unsure where to go next. I walked to the back of the nearest baseball field heading south. This is a field walk and not on a trail.

Behind home plate I came across a cement path I could have made a right here and taken this towards where I parked.

Taking this cement walkway to the Amphitheater. — *Taking this cement walkway to the Amphitheater*.

Instead, I went south along a paved trail along Amphitheater Drive that led to Lions Amphitheater.

I checked it out and then took a windy cement trail that led back to the main trail going east.

Along this path is a statue of a young girl practicing the violin.

Cement Path

Now I went east. In the distance was a workout area.

Then I went by a playground with swings, slides, and climbing structures.

On the left are pickleball and racquetball courts.

A triangular sculpture was in the small rock garden.

Near the tennis courts, I made a right onto a sidewalk going south along N. Geyer Road.

In front of the community center is a red double ring reminding of a circus.

A lazy river, swimming pools, and a tall water slide came into focus as I walked by the Kirkwood Aquatic Center.

Then I made my last right along Monroe Avenue.

Across the street is St. Peter Cemetery of Kirkwood.

I made one last right to a sidewalk that went along the front of the bathhouse for the aquatic center and the lot where I parked was on the left where I returned to my car.

Final Thoughts

If I came back and wanted to do a shorter walk with my son, I might only walk around the lake or do an out-and-back along the creek and then go back to the lake.

I enjoyed the creek walk and had no idea this part of the park existed and will come back again to check it out.

DETAILS

More Amenities

Concessions, spray fountain and skating rink, gym, and performance center.

Drive: Take Interstate 44 to Big Bend Road and go west on this road. Make a right onto S. Geyer Road and then make a left into the parking lot after you pass by the community center.

Hours: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Address: 111 S Geyer Rd, Kirkwood, MO 63122

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