Walking Grant's Trail in St. Louis County

Walk along wooded Gravois Creek and near Grant’s Farm where you can see Clydesdale horses frolic in a field near the home of former President Ulysses S. Grant on Grant’s Trail.

This hike is on a 9.9-mile paved trail with 267 feet of elevation gain. The path goes along a creek valley then follows along Interstate 55 before ending at the River Des Peres Greenway.

Beginning the Hike

I parked at the Kirkwood Trailhead lot near the intersection of Holmes Avenue and Leffingweill Avenue in Kirkwood. Restrooms are available here.

The trail begins on the south or right side of the parking area and you start the walk crossing Lieffingwell Avenue then go over Interstate 44 on a former train bridge.

After the bridge, you come to Backstoppers Park where there is a gazebo and more parking. The park is named for an organization that supports families of police officers.

Next, I crossed Melshire Avenue walking by the Playground @Grant’s Trail with its slides and merry-go-round.

I came to Big Bend Boulevard, which is one of the major intersections you will come to on the trail and waited for the light.

Father Dickson Cemetery

Next, I noticed headstones on the left. Father Dickson Cemetery is the resting place of numerous African Americans who lived in St. Louis during the 19th Century.

Perhaps the most notable is James Milton Turner, an educator who helped found Lincoln University, Missouri’s only historically Black university, and was appointed to serve as the country’s Minister to Liberia during Ulysses S. Grant’s presidency.

Sappington House

Then on the right, I came by a large barn and red brick house. Built in 1808, the Thomas Sappington House is the oldest brick estate in St. Louis County.

In addition to the house, the historic Sappington House includes The Barn restaurant, the Loft Gift Shop, and the Library of Americana, which includes resources on American History and Decorative Arts.

Watson Road Crossing — *Watson Road crossing*

Watson Road or Historic Route 66 was the next major intersection on the trail.

Whitecliff Park

If you make a right at Pardee Road and then another right onto Whitecliff Lane you can explore Whitecliff Park on foot with its many trails around a former rock quarry. (Whitecliff Park Blog Story)

Grant’s Farm

White fences and large green fields were now to the right. Grant’s Farm is the 281-acre ancestral home of the Busch family. The farm is home to more than 900 animals representing more than 100 species from six continents. Operated by Anheuser-Busch, Inc., the Clydesdales, featured in many Busch commercials, can be seen along the trail here.

Ulysses S. Grant

A little further on I went by a green clapboard house in the distance and a large red building part of the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site of White Haven.

President Grant is known as the victorious Civil War general who saved the Union and the 18th President of the United States. He first met Julia Dent, his future wife, at her family home, named White Haven. From 1854 to 1859 the Dents, Grants, and an enslaved African-American workforce lived on the property here.

Affton Ball Parks

After crossing Gravois Road I came to numerous baseball fields and a large parking lot for the trail off Tesshire Drive.

Officer Blake C. Snyder Memorial Park

Then I went under Tesson Ferry Road coming to Officer Blake C. Snyder Memorial Park.

At Grants Trailhead at Tiffany Village Court, the Twin Bridge Trail intersects with Grant’s Trail and goes into Blake C. Snyder Memorial Park.

In this park, you can ride your bike along paved trails or walk along natural surface trails exploring woods near Gravois Creek.

On the Grant’s Trail side of the park, the paved Bottomland Trail goes through woods but is partially closed. (Officer Blake C. Snyder Memorial Park Blog Story)

To Interstate 55

After the park, the trail goes close to Gravois Creek near an old bridge. I walk under a railroad bridge and then under Interstate 55 and come to a gravel parking lot with picnic tables.

After Union Road

Now the trail goes by houses on the right and the undeveloped Union Road County Park on the right.

Reavis Barracks Trailhead

Then I come to the Reavis Barracks Trailhead which includes parking, and restrooms. Behind a building on the right is a sign with information on birds and wetlands.

Further on I go by a bottomland forest and then cross a creek.

Gravois Greenway: Mysun Charitable Foundation Trailhead

This trailhead stop has restrooms and monkey bars for kids. It is near the Lodge at Grant’s Trail where you could stay the night.

Interstate 55 Section

Next, the trail came to an industrial area. The trail also does some quick turns as it heads closer to Interstate 55. This includes a ramp above a wetland and a sign showing the importance of these green spaces.

Heading towards the Interstate I go by Republic Services which has a cement structure for recycling.

The trail goes high above Bayless Avenue and then follows along Interstate 55.

A tunnel allows you to bypass another road.

I came to River City Boulevard and waited at the light.

River Des Peres

Crossing here I went to the right and then made a left across a bridge over the River Des Peres. Below I saw ducks swimming around.

I came to mile marker 0 for the Grant’s Trail. If you want to walk further, you can now take the River Des Peres Greenway to the left across the St. Louis area. If you go right on this trail a short hike will lead you to Lemay Park and the start of the River Des Peres Greenway. (River Des Peres Greenway Blog Story)

Final Thoughts

This is a long paved walk with some historic sites along with woods, industrial areas, and even Clydesdales.

You can do this in sections on different days for shorter walks. Doing it all at once is a long hike.

I did this trail with a friend who picked me up at the end if you want a longer hike you can walk about twenty miles out and back.

Grant's Farm along the trail — *Grant’s Farm along the trail*

DETAILS

Drive: Take Interstate 44 to Big Bend Boulevard and go east make a left onto Holmes Avenue and make a left staying on this street and not going straight on Melshire Avenue. If this lot is full, nearby parking is located at the Grants Trail Mile 8 or at Backstoppers Park, and other trailheads along the route. More information on the trail and parking at Bikegrantstrail.com.

Hours: 6 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Address: 601 S Holmes Ave, Kirkwood, MO 63122

Lunch: Yolklore

I had a breakfast burrito with a blueberry coffee cake for lunch today at Yolklore which is only about a block and a half north on Watson Road.

Hours: 6 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wednesday – Friday; 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., Saturday- Sunday; Closed Monday and Tuesday

Address: 8958 Watson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63119

MORE ST. LOUIS WALKS

River des Peres Greenway Walk

Walking in an urban landscape near River des Peres that included wildlife viewing was my exploration along a paved path in St. Louis.

Christy Greenway Walk

Walk through the grounds of a historic cemetery and end at a Tudor-inspired fire station on the Christy Greenway in St. Louis. This is a 5.4 mile out and back walk through an urban area and parks in St. Louis and starts near the River Des Peres. Reached from a lot for the River Des Peres Greenway.