We followed the old road back to H and over the bridge to the park office, then shuttled drivers back to their cars parked at Hamilton Hollow. Hiked along green cave bluff, had lunch, dropped into greens cave. Next crossed over to Homestead spring. Introduction. So it says greens cave bushwack, but it just led to a cool alcove with a pond. 1. Meramec State Park is a 6,896-acre state park owned and managed by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The most famous is Fisher Cave, located near the campgrounds. MERAMEC STATE PARK. at Onondaga Cave State Park. Across the trail from Beaver Pond on the river are two pylons from when core of engineers was going to dam the river to make a giant lake here. Rocky and roots in many areas and some trees down. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. It was a nice warm-up trail. Meramec State Park, a Missouri State Park located near Saint Clair Meramec State Park - Wikipedia The park gate opens and closes at these times. May 27-29(Memorial Day Weekend):11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and3 p.m. June-August:Cave tours will be offered seven days a week at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and3 p.m. Sept. 2-4(Labor Day Weekend):11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and3 p.m. Closed to regular cave tours Sept. 11-May 15. Crossed back over the creek and headed toward a saddle in the bluff. Stay 3 nights anytime before Memorial Day weekend or after Labor Day and get the fourth night free! [4] The park has diverse ecosystems such as hardwood forests and glades. Sunny Jim Bottomley City Park. Got to a Y in the trail (the trail is really a connection of old very overgrown roads) . Best Hikes and Trails in Meramec State Park | AllTrails A short walk to the cave that is a great adventure for kids. Lots of watercress here, also scuds (look like tiny shrimp)- indicator of reasonable water quality and water striders - sign of good water quality. I went with a group led by someone who knows the area well, and it was a great hike! . The north section of the trail meanders through the heart of the Meramec river. Met at Meramec state park office and took half the cars to the Hamilton Hollow trailhead. 13. The trail is fairly easy although not super interesting. Toll Free: 800-334-6946. Meramec State Park | Watercraft Rentals In Sullivan, MO Explore the most popular cave trails in Meramec State Park with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Here are notes I took on the hike. List of frequently asked questions about reservations. The park's runner-up is Green's Cave Bushwack: Sleepy Hollow Route, which will get you 170 ft of elevation gain. Cool Parks gear for sale. If you like caves, Meramec State Park may be the perfect spot for your next RV vacation. This trail is estimated to be 8.4 mi long. Eight backpacking camps are provided along the way. We also toured Meramec Cave, and took a float trip down the Meramec River. See all. The Indian cave is quite small and goes back about 100 feet. What is the longest trail with caves in Meramec State Park? Just be sure to watch your footing when you're on the trail that are lots of rocks sticking up and roots. Things to Do | Meramec State Park Trip Ideas Itineraries Featured Trip Ideas Article How To: Experience the Katy Trail explore Article Plan a Missouri Getaway to a Cabin, Villa or Treehouse explore Article Missouri Summer Trips for Kids explore Events explore all Categories Art & History Family Fun Food & Drink Lectures & Presentations The 6,896-acre park has year-round RV and tent camping, as well as cabins and a motel, so you . According to users from AllTrails.com, the best trail with caves to hike in Meramec State Park is Wilderness Trail Long Loop, which has a 4.3 star rating from 623 reviews. Found a bunch of turtle shells in the quarry? Orange blazes. The Meramec River has a number of popular swimming holes. . Tours can be reserved online on our reservation website or by visiting the park. These cave trails have an average 4.1-star rating from 1,248 AllTrails community reviews. Beyond the cave, the trail continues through a beautiful forest to the ridge of the bluff line before descending back to the valley floor. Fisher Cave | Missouri State Parks Dad Hikes January 28, 2021 Meramec State Park is where you can hike from one cave to another, staring into the darkness in each one, a favorite hike for my son. Site Surface: fvpmljv: Site . Overnighters must register at the box 200 yards from trailhead. If you're looking for elevation gain, Meramec State Park has you covered. River Float Trips - Sullivan, MO | Meramec State Park Even the creek beds were dry, only one little creek crossing by the spring/cave. Meramec Conservation Area consists of 3,938 acres (15.94 km 2) in southern Franklin County, Missouri. Followed Hamilton creek Passed a fen (water seeps up out of bedrock). Our guide did a valiant job trying to address . Still a cool hike, but next time we'll be following the river more to find the cave. According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail with caves in Meramec State Park is Wilderness Trail Long Loop. Frequently asked questions about cave trails in Meramec State Park. Meramec State Park has some truly beautiful trails. Meramec Caverns - Missouri's Buried Treasure We camped at Meramec State Park in a Travel Trailer. Get ready for your trip to one of Missouri's State Parks. Login to View Campsite Details Campsite: ihp. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Which cave trail has the most elevation gain in Meramec State Park? Email: The beauty of the Meramec River and its surrounding bluffs, caves and forests have pleased visitors since the park opened in 1927. Phone: 573-468-6072. #6 - Green's Cave Bushwack: Sleepy Hollow Route. Noticed a dead bat outside. The river changes continually every season and with every flood event. 2023 Best Cave Trails in Meramec State Park | AllTrails Reservations: 877-422-6766. Farther down the road is a small pond on left that has a specific type of salamander. There are a ton of things to see but pretty sure I couldnt find most of it on my own. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily, November through March (off-season)
April through October (on-season)
Passed foundation of an old cabin. Advisory Tick Awareness - Missouri State Parks Parks. Could stay on the road and hike around it or bushwhack over the bluff on one side and rejoin the trail later. For more information, contact the park at 573-468-6072. This trail is 8.4 mi long with an elevation gain of 846 ft. Meramec State Park. However, the river is not within the park and no lifeguard is on duty. 134. The trail has three natural caves along the trail, but they are only accessible via a permit. at Meramec State Park For quick reference, a map and trail information for each trail is available to download below. About DIRECTIONS 573.468.CAVE Cave Stay Zipline River About Missouri's Buried Treasure Beneath the fertile rolling hills of the Meramec Valley, lies a complex of mineral formations and color as rare and unique as they are beautiful. In 1933, the craftsmen of the Civilian Conservation Corps began . Rent a canoe, kayak, or raft to float the river for two to four hours. Meramec State Park (Sullivan) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go Went on to Pratt wash cave. For more information about trails in Missouri State Parks, please visit here. Meramec State Park | Missouri State Parks Meramec State Park Activities Choose Activity Park Information The Meramec River flows by majestic bluffs, wooded areas and a dramatic cave entrance. Please visit the . State Parks. A lot of things from the cabin were scattered around nearby - old glass, cans, mattress springs etc. Meramec Caverns (Stanton) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go There are over 40 caves located throughout the park, the bedrock is dolomite. Where is the best trail with caves to hike in Meramec State Park? It's all forest, with a small glade, creek, and blocked off cave. Meramec State Park History Take a guided tour of Fisher Cave. Meramec State Park is a public recreation area located near Sullivan, Missouri, about 60 miles from St. Louis, along the Meramec River. According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail with caves in Meramec State Park is. Take a Cave Adventure at Meramec State Park Meramec State Park - Sullivan, Missouri - RV LIFE Campground Reviews 115 Meramec Park Drive. They obviously had a bad storm go through with rushing water not too long ago, but trail is still readily navigable. Heavy rain events can elevate river levels quickly and significantly. It is located southeast of the town of Sullivan and bordered to the south by Missouri Route 185 and to the west by the Meramec River and Meramec State Park. It's located in Franklin County, Missouri approximately 60 miles southwest of St. Louis near Interstate 44 and the city of Sullivan. Caverns & Caves. Green's Cave Bushwack: Sleepy Hollow Route. For temporary closures related to weather, stewardship activities and maintenance,visit our Park and Site Status Map. People of all ages were having a good time. Hike to the end of this island and past the cave entrance to a rocky area where trail goes down to the cave. Glade areas are overflowing with wild flowers! Swimming | Missouri State Parks On the following days (actual or observed), staff will not be available and park buildings will be closed: Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; New Years Eve; New Years Day; Jan. 2, 2023; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Lincolns Birthday; and Presidents Day. The only maintained trail in this area is the short trail by the parking lot around the ironworks, so this is a bushwhack the whole way. To Hamilton Cave. The Cave itself is wonderful. Directions Park information Acreage 6,896 acres Park hours Monday 7:00 am - 10:00 pm Tuesday 7:00 am - 10:00 pm Wednesday 7:00 am - 10:00 pm Thursday Meramec State Park | Missouri State Parks From $30.00 2 to 4 hours Canoes, Kayaks, & Raft Rentals Floating with friends is the BEST way to experience the Meramec River! But I always enjoy this hike - so many wildflowers, varying terrain and time in the woods just cant be beat. Click here for more information. Explore the most popular cave trails in Meramec State Park with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. There is an island in the Meramec where it changed course 8 yrs ago. Forests here and in other areas are rich and majestic. More than 13 miles of hiking trails are available for exploring the park, and visitors can swim, fish, raft and boat in the river. Things to Do | Meramec State Park - Visit Missouri Sullivan, Missouri 63080. Closed, "Savages and Princesses: The Persistence of Native American Stereotypes". Indian cave was easily accessible but did not go in this time. Nature & Wildlife Areas. Regular Cave Tours: May 27-29 (Memorial Day Weekend): 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. June-August: Cave tours will be offered seven days a week at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tours can be reserved online on our reservation website or by visiting the park. Group of 10-12. September 14, 2021 / No Comments An easy hour drive down I-44 from St. Louis lies Meramec State Park. Meramec Conservation Area - Wikipedia At Meramec State Park in Beautiful Sullivan, Missouri Free Night Special! A little steep at times but 4 paw drive really helped a lot. If you're looking for elevation gain, Meramec State Park has you covered. wish I could say the same for the guided tour. Meramec State Park Trails | Missouri State Parks Cave Hiking at Meramec State Park - thatawaydad.com Meramec State Park | Outdoorsy Moved from there on to Hamilton Spring and cave. This lovely Missouri State Park is located along the scenic Meramec River. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best trail with caves to hike in Meramec State Park is. There are 6 cave trails in Meramec State Park. The Walking Fern Trail follows the base of several bluffs which leads to the entrance to Indian Cave. Wilderness Trail Long Loop boasts the most elevation gain for cave trails with 846 ft of total ascent. Went up right path to an old quarry - rappelling is allowed here. The Wilderness Trail (Long Loop) is well worth the effort. For more information, contact the park at 573-468-6072. With the awesomeness of the Meramec River and its surrounding forests, cliffs, and bluffs, this park has been a favorite since it opened in 1927.