Kress Farm Garden Preserve: Waterfalls and Native American Caves

Kress Farm Garden Preserve has wet weather waterfalls and cliff caves and is only 40 minutes outside of St. Louis.

Arriving at Kress Farm

A long driveway leads to a farmhouse and behind it is parking.

The Pavilion has copies of hiking trail maps which we used to find our way to them.

Yellow Trail

We started with the three-fourth mile Yellow Trail. It has a natural surface trail and moderate difficulty with two spurs that lead to intermittent seasonal waterfalls.

I followed the yellow and blue trail blazes since the trail shares markings with the Blue Trail at the start.

The trail first goes through a field before entering the woods. It had rained recently so it was muddy, but this allows for waterfalls to flow.

First Falls

A spur trail leads to Kress Falls, which drips over a lichen-filled round cliff with a small clear water pond below.

Kress Falls (Andrew is pictured catching drips from the falls with the main blog photo.)

My son Andrew wanted to touch the water so we walked around the pool of water to catch drips.

From the falls we continued down the trail along a small brook and then crossed a wooden bridge over it.

Second Falls

A spur trail leads to Kottemann Falls which was a larger cliff with evergreens growing above it.

Walking towards the falls we passed by a brook with cascades.

It was a smaller waterfall but was a higher rock shelter. Andrew could easily walk out to catch drips this time.

Heading Back

We passed by a brook that flowed down a hillside then came out of the woods into another field. Then we headed to the left to arrive back by the farmhouse.

Break Time

Andrew was thirsty so we took a break and had some water and snacks.

Blue Trail

A 1-mile moderate loop trail that leads to several caves off a spur.

These caves provided shelter to Native Americans dating back to 5500 B to 3000 BC.

Where We Started the Hike

Instead of beginning the hike from where we had walked it with the yellow trail, we started it from behind the parking area. It is blazed blue and white.

Muddy Hiking

Hiking was again muddy at first as we went through woods bordering the field behind the farmhouse.

After walking a short way we came to the spur trail for the caves.

Cave hiking

Here we headed by several caves.

The first one was a long rock shelter, which was dry and would have worked well for a Native American family.

Indentions in the ceiling show how erosion and water had affected it over time.

Shelter goes further into the rock face.

The next cave went further in and allowed for more shelter from the elements.

Water droplets come down from the top. — Water droplets came down from the top.

Another had water seeping down from the top.

The last one had a small brook flowing from it which provided a water source.

Each was unique in how it was formed and how it was shaped over the eons.

Water coming down from the cliffs has created these indentions in the rock below.

I think it was about a .5 mile spur total going out and back from the main blue marked trail, but well worth the effort.

Going Back

The trail goes through the woods before connecting back to where it meets the yellow trail.

Final Thoughts on Both Trails

Doing the two trails provided for a variety of terrain. Yellow trail with its waterfalls and the blue trail with the caves allowed for plenty of interesting sites for two miles of hiking in two separate areas.

I would definitely go back again with the kid even after a heavy rain which makes it muddy but we had the waterfalls.

Other Trails at Kress Farm

White Trail

The 2-mile moderate White Trail is a perimeter trail that is a combination of red, yellow, and blue trails with moderate difficulty.

Bluebird trail

This 2-mile trail follows the field perimeters and goes past bluebird nest boxes and is relatively easy to walk.

Red Trail

An easy 1.2-mile stroll around the pond and through forested areas and open fields. A small rugged section crosses a dry stream bed.

More Information

Kress Farm is a 142-acre garden and wildlife habitat and the farmhouse area includes gardens of perennial, annual, and native plants as well as a compost project. Plant sales, garden tours, and weekly farmer’s markets take place from May to October.

DETAILS:

Drive: Take exit 2 off of 270 and go south on Highway 21 then exit onto Old Highway 21 and go south just before Hillsboro, Mo. Then go right onto Glade Chapel Road and then look for Kress Farm Road on the right.

Hours: Open daily from 9 am to 4 pm.

Address: 5137 Glade Chapel Rd, Hillsboro, MO 63050

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