Teszars Woods Conservation Area Hike

Teszars Woods Conservation Area has 91 acres with two short natural surface hikes near Arnold, Mo., off of Telegraph Road.

*Map of the area showing the two different trails*

One trail is located along the Meramec River. The other is an out-and-back on a hill at a different location in the conservation area.

HILL TRAIL

I parked in the gravel lot off Rockwood Drive.

On the right of the parking area is the trail that starts out in the woods.

As you go down look for the orange marker with a hiker on it along the trail.

You walk along a narrow dirt trail on the ridgeline so be careful walking here. I kept looking for the trail ahead of me to the right.

I came across a green stone outcropping as I went down.

Then I see two ravines go up into the higher forest.

When I came to the bottom of the hill a large gray boulder greeted me.

I kept going to the right passing by a tall bottomland tree.

The trail petered out when I came to a powerline cut. I didn’t see any more markings and I assumed it was the end.

I walked around the valley looking for an endpoint but no luck. The woods were also thick down here.

Next, I headed back stopping for a moment to find a deep hole an animal dug.

A gray and black frog climbed up through the mud as I went back to the top once more.

Final Thoughts

Here I walked about .6 miles going downhill and then uphill and then wandering around the valley below but did not find the end of the trail. Other than that, it is a short hill workout with 144-foot elevation gain.

Details

Drive: Take exit 190 and make a left onto Richardson Road and then make a right onto Jeffco Blvd/ U.S. Highway 61. Next, a left onto Missouri Highway 231 and then a right onto Rockwood Drive and look for the conservation park on the right.

Hours: Closed from 10 p.m. – 4 a.m.

Address: Not Listed and Google Maps send you the wrong way

MERAMEC RIVER TRAIL

Parking for this trail is at the Flamm City Boat Ramp. You access Teszars Woods Conservation Area by walking through the City of Arnold Park property.

I parked to the far right of the boat ramp area and saw the start of the trail along the river.

Walking along this trail I came across a dirt path that led down to the river at .1 mile. I tried to find the trail after this in the woods but was unable to locate it.

Instead, I went back to the dirt path that led to the shoreline of the river and walked along the river for .2 miles. I was hoping to see if a trail would lead back to the forest but didn’t have any luck. I decided to head back to the trailhead and check out the boat ramp.

The river is really low since the boat ramp does not lead to the water.

Final Thoughts

Beyond the .1 mile, I couldn’t find the trail. I walked around the woods following some dirt trails that would peter out. Maybe I might check this area out again in the fall when foliage is less. I walked a total of .7 miles here.

If you want a short walk along the Meramec River then this trail works.

Details

Drive: Take exit 190 and make a left onto Richardson Road and then make a right onto Jeffco Blvd/ U.S. Highway 61. Next, a left onto Missouri Highway 231 and then a right onto the road for the Flamm City Public Boat Ramp right before the bridge. A parking lot is on the right of the ramp and the trail is in front of it.

Hours: Closed from 10 p.m. – 4 a.m.

Address: 1100 Telegraph Rd, Arnold, MO 63010

Outside Smokee Mo's BBQ — *Outside Smokee Mo’s BBQ*

LUNCH STOP: Smokee Mo’s BBQ

After I hiked, I ate pulled pork nachos at the nearby Smokee Mo’s BBQ. Desert was St. Louis style with gooey butter cake cheesecake with whipped cream. I had the last one, very yummy, will have it again.

Hours: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday – Thursday; 11 a.m. 9 p.m., Friday-Saturday

Address: 606 Jeffco Blvd, Arnold, MO 63010