Hiking in Rockwoods Reservation you come across caves, old mines, and a spring. In this 1,880- acre conservation area just outside of St. Louis, you can hike several different trails through forest, grassland, and hills.

HISTORY OF ROCKWOODS RESERVATION

In 1868 this land was bought by a mining company to quarry the area’s plentiful limestone. A narrow-gauge steam train even once went through here. When the company went bankrupt in 1938, the newly formed Missouri Department of Conservation was able to acquire the property to become Missouri’s oldest conservation area.

ROCK QUARRY TRAIL

This trail can be done in a mile-long loop or a 2.2-mile loop. We did the longer loop to see the mine cave.

Start of the Trail

We began our hike at the trailhead in the grassy area from the parking lot near the visitor’s center. The walk was flat through a field before our ascent into the hills. This trail does have elevation gain so be aware it is a workout.

Up in the Hills

Some trees have been marked with their names. I pointed out a few to my son Andrew who joined me on the hike. He checked out some of the rocky landscape as we walked.

Short Loop

We came where a trail branches off down the hillside. This cut-off trail allows you to split the hike into a one-mile loop. We headed on to see more of the former mining area.

Finding Sticks

In this part, we walked through the woods along the back hills of the conservation area. Andrew entertained himself by finding long sticks that he could do combat with.

Going to the Valley

Finally, we came to a set of stairs that led down into the valley. This was the best part of the hike.

Before you come to the mine cave, down by the dry creek bed were large boulders green from moss but perfect for exploring. This area is filled with big rocks and Andrew scrambled up and over a few as we wandered around.

The Cave

We rounded a bend and came into view of the cave. It is not a deep cave, but a wide space with leftover mining equipment and railroad tracks. It is mostly a rubble field.

Cliff Side

Instead of going back directly to the trail, we explored the area. Along the cliff face, there were more areas where they had mined with boulders piled around. Also, lots of mounds that seemed to be part of a wall or maybe the railroad line, not sure.

Back to the Trail

The trail went along a hillside with a steep rock wall to the right before we came to the second parking area for the trail.

Along the Road

Now we walked along the road back to where we parked. This was an easy walk back to the car.

Final Thoughts

The best part of this trail is the back section with mine caves. My son enjoyed exploring this area and it was worth the hike.

LIME KILN LOOP TRAIL

It is a 3.2-mile loop trail near the front of Rockwoods Reservation. It is the most popular trail here and can be busy. If you find the parking full at the trailhead you can head to the larger parking area in the back part of the park and connect to Lime Kiln Loop Trail from the Trail Among the Trees.

Lime Kiln

This trail begins next to the lime kiln which was built in 1856. This kiln burned limestone rocks at temperatures over 800 degrees Fahrenheit. The lime was used for the mortar to build large stone houses in nearby Glencoe. It is about 20 feet square at the base and 40 feet tall.

Flat Section

Heading to the left of the lime kiln the trail is flat and goes close to the conservation area road.

It follows a small stream in which water flows from a rock encrusted spring. It is clear water and an easy walk in this section.

My son had a good time walking across the stepping stones that you use to cross the stream. We spent some time here as he threw pebbles in the water.

 At one point he took his shoes off to put his toes in the water.

Before the trail branched off into the forest Andrew and I explored the cliffside going up to a rock outcropping shaped like a frog.

Then this trail goes up into the hills and you pass by small streams and more rocky terrain.

After winding through the hilly backcountry it goes back down the hill and by the prairie area and flattens out once more by the lime kiln.

Final Thoughts

This trail also has varied terrain, but the best part is coming across the spring and taking the time to enjoy it. 

TRAIL AMONG THE TREES

I hiked the 1.5-mile Trail Among the Trees by myself before doing the other two trails with Andrew. The trailhead is located in the back of the park near the trailhead for the Rock Quarry Trail but on the other side of the road.

Beginning the Hike

I had to walk 750 feet down from the original trailhead since a bridge had been damaged by a flood. This was an easy hike along flat terrain.

I walked along a ridge then crossed Hamilton Creek using stepping stones. Then I went uphill a bit before passing in front of a large rockface.

Finding a Cave

If you look up into the cliffs you will see a metal grate over a cave entrance. At one time you could have gone into what is called the Bathtub Cave. It is called that because you have to lower yourself into it like a bathtub and then come to two rooms that are about three feet high and ten feet wide. A bit low, which explains why it has been closed off.

Middle Area of the Trail

Next, I went by some more hollows with the cliffside going away from me. I stopped to wander back to checkout large boulders and the rocky terrain in here.

Then the trail goes further back and you cross some wooden bridges through some gorges.

I began to ascend the hillside rising high above the creek below. I came to the intersection with the access trail to the Lime Kiln Loop trail, which can be combined with the Trail Among the Trees for a 4.7-mile hike.

Checking Out the Lookout

This section was paved until I came to a lookout. With the trees changing, this allowed for lovely views of color along the distant ridges.

The trail went back to a rocky surface. Here I walked along more mossy cliffsides and large rocks as I headed down towards the road.

Down to the Road

At the bottom, there was information on the trail and parking. I didn’t park at the front trailhead so I had to walk back to the parking area I used in the area.

Luckily across the road, there is a trail you can use to do this. This trail even had its own wooden bridge across Hamilton Creek. This was an easy gravel level hike back to my vehicle.

Final Thoughts

Overall I liked this trail since it went through a wide variety of terrain from a valley to cliffs to up in the hills, it was worth the hike and I enjoyed the changing colors of the trees doing it in the fall. 

OTHER TRAILS

Turkey Ridge Trail

A 2 mile that you enter from Woods Avenue from the other side of State Highway 109. It is not by the other trails and has its own parking area.

This is a trail includes some rocky terrain with porous rock and some hill climbing along with large trees.

It also includes some gentle descent on the way back to the trailhead and even an area of pines.

Green Rock Trail

This 14.5-mile trail goes 3.6 miles through Rockwoods Reservation. This trail connects to other parks in the area including Greensfelder and Rockwoods Range.

Wildlife Habitat Trail 

This short 300-yard trail includes information on the wildlife and plant life in the area. An interpretive booklet that corresponds with numbered stops along the walk can be picked up at the visitor’s center if it is open.

DETAILS

Drive: Take Interstate 44 southwest out of St. Louis and then take exit 264 for State Highway 109 going north. Then make a left onto Woods Avenue and then a right Glencoe Road and look for parking for Rockwoods Reservation.

 Hours: Open sunrise to one-half hour after sunset daily

Admission: Free

Address: 3015 Glencoe Rd, Glencoe, MO 63038

NEARBY HIKES

Dad Hikes: Alone in the Woods at Rockwoods Range

Rockwoods Range Conservation Area is a wooded area in St. Louis West County that is not as busy as the other nearby parks so if you want a hike close to St. Louis alone then this is the trail for you.

Much to Explore at Babler State Park

Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park has a cave-like spring, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) architect, and many hiking trails to explore.

MORE MINE HIKES

Dad Hikes: Silver Mines

A mineshaft and a cascading river rushing through the remains of a stone-cut dam are what await you at Silver Mines Recreation Area.

Dad Hikes: Illinois River Bluffs

My journey today was to explore two trails along the bluffs on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River just south of St. Louis and one includes a former mine.

Dad Hikes — Many times I will do these hikes alone to learn the lay of the land before we do it as a family. Feel free to share suggestions for hikes to do. Also, share any questions you might have on the hikes!