Kress Farm Garden Preserve — Attraction in Central Township

Located about 40 minutes from St. Louis City, you will find Kress Farm Garden Preserve. The drive is easy and fast (since it's all highway driving). There are a few signs when you turnoff the highway to let you know you are going the correct direction. The entrance is marked with an iron gate. When the gate is open, they are open.

No dogs allowed since this is a Nature Preserve.

When you drive through the compound, you will pass a pavilion and then reach the parking lot. There are several accessible parking spots first, then parking spots for additional vehicles. One of the employees (possible owner) greeted us in the parking lot, offered directions to the trailhead, and asked how we heard about their place. Very welcoming! Visitors can borrow walking sticks from the pavilion and return before leaving the property.

They have several hiking trails that all begin at the same point. We hiked their Blue Trail since we wanted to see the caves on the property. The paths are all very well marked with colored plaques on the trees. The paths are cleared of excess grass, roots, weeds, which makes for a very pleasant hike. This trail went through a cypress forest, which smells like Christmas. After about half mile hike though the woods, there's an offshoot from the main path down to the cliff caves. There are 3 shallow caves to explore. The offshoot to the caves it a bit strenuous. Leave your stroller at the top of the hill. The offshoot added another .2 miles to the hike.

They also have plant and vegetable sales on the weekends. Be sure to check out their Instagram @kressfarmgardenpreserve and website for up to date events.

Bluebird trail: 2 miles Yellow trail: 3/4 mile Red trail: 1.2 miles White Trail 2.0 miles Blue...

Great hidden gem! Only open 9-3. A long gravel road leads you to the farm. Loop is one way, enter the loop on the left and follow the signs (Google tells you to turn right). You can park next to the building that says restrooms and store. There are 2 restrooms inside plus a drink cooler plus some sundries and souvenirs. This is also where you pay for your native plants that they grow and sell. Their vegetable farm is an MSA.

The pavilion to the left of the store is where you need to sign in (for funding purposes). They also have a donation box, trail maps, and walking sticks you can borrow. Trailheads are at the pavilion.

The white trail incorporates part of all the trails, and loops around the perimeter of the property. The white trail does pass by the spur trails for the waterfall (when it's raining), and the cliff caves. Very cool rock formations. Worth going for.

I think all the trails, aside from the bluebird trail, are a mix of open grassland, shady forest, sandy dirt, and rocky landscapes. Mix of hills and flat land. Trails are well marked, kept clear, and well maintained. There are occasional benches through the trails.

Worth a visit. And is very close to the Sandy Creek covered bridge. Very easy to hit that on...

Fairly easy hike, with a couple moderate hills coming back up from the caves. Beautiful scenery, and well maintained trails. The volunteers I came in contact with, were very friendly and helpful. They close at 3 pm daily ... that being said, it is managed solely by volunteers, so it is recommended to call to make sure they are open, before marking the trip out. The mosquitoes can be a bit bothersome, so insect repellent is a good idea. They offer walking sticks at no charge, right by the sign in sheet under the pavilion. Mine came in handy, coming back up from the caves, as it had rained the day before and was a little muddy in some areas ... but it was also helpful for clearing spider webs across...