Bangert Island — Attraction in Saint Charles

So. I’m not gonna lie, going to this trail in the summer after a night of binge watching Naked and Afraid is slightly unnerving. One, keep your phone handy or something with a trail map. I thought it was a simple loop (per Google) but alas after one mile of just taking all right turns, I ended up way out along the Katy. That’s fine, but not the loop I was anticipated so finished coming back on the Katy. So note…. It’s not marked clearly it seems. Two. There are parts where the foliage and poison ivy are remarkably close. If you are running or hiking I’d advise tall socks. Three. If you are running there, I’d say typically Road shoes will be just fine. However if it has rained at all…. Use trail shoes. The peculiar addition of moisture to River soil Seems to make it slick, which I found out unexpectedly while I was watching for hidden snakes and likely careened into a giant patch of weeds, mud and poison ivy. I rarely fall, so I’m blaming the road shoes, not my lack of attention or yet to be discovered snakes. Anyway, what number am I at, four? Don’t be the first one to the trail. I showed up at 7am and ran through a ridiculous number of spider webs which is entirely unnerving. As I was running I was trying to get the webs off and then somehow turned an ankle. So here I was, half muddy dude with cobwebs scrambling up from the forest limping onto the Katy trail and lo and behold I pop up amidst the Lutheran High school cross country team who probably thought I was homeless. They were probably just as disturbed by me starting to run along with them. Anyway. I didn’t see any snakes or spiders. I did see large amazing trees and a trail that likely would have been perfect to run on if it were better marked and it hadn’t rained. I didn’t see the whole trail, never saw the river, but would certainly go back with the right shoes. I’d imagine this would be pretty sad...

05/22/25 - Rated 4 stars: Returned today to walk the AllTrails trail and was pleased to see that access had been restored since my previous failed visit of 05/16/25. I wasn't expecting much of this hike and was pleasantly surprised. The trail is highly compacted dirt (from bikers) which makes it an easy walk. Whether or not someone will enjoy the trail is going to be highly dependent on 1) what you're using it for (e.g. hiking vs biking) and 2) what time of year it is. Today was a cool, sunny spring day and there had been no rain for almost a week. That made trail conditions almost ideal - there were some mud puddles, but these were easily negotiated around. Spring growth was in its glory and yellow wildflowers were blooming all over the place. There were some densely wooded/brushy patches, but mostly the trees were spaced wide enough apart to enjoy some unique woodland scenery. I thought there might be deer, but perhaps the island is too dry for them. Overall, I would return under similar conditions.

05/16/25 - Rated 1 star: Very disappointed. For the last two years I've been trying to find the time and the right time to walk the AllTrails Bangert Island Loop. I finally got there on 16 May, and access was CLOSED, with a big truck parked across the path from the parking area to the island and a sign saying "sidewalk closed". I tried to look up information about the closing online, and no one or entity seems to be taking responsibility for access to or maintenance of the park, even though previous review pictures include one of a sign saying it belongs to St Charles County Parks and Recreation....

Not much to see here, definitely nothing nothing scenic or pretty. It looks like this trail has been/is being groomed for a bike trail, and several people on bikes passed me while I was walking.

It’s perfect for being a bike trail, lots of small curves, little dips and hills, with a very smooth and even surface on the wide path.It would’ve been lots of fun and a bike!

Walking…..it was just a walk. Nothing real special, just a nice long walk, but if you’re looking for somewhere close to town that is also in the middle of a huge grove of old trees, where you can be outside, this is it. Lots and lots and lots of fallen and decomposing trees in all kinds of interesting configurations, but that was about the most “scenic” thing going on. Well, you do get a few glimpses of the river……

The trail is close to roads, including Highway 70, so you will always hear some level of road noise. But like I said, you’ll be right in the middle of this grove of big old trees, so it’s OK.

Don’t know if this was the designated parking lot or not, but as soon as you turn off Highway 94, there is a gravel lot on the right, and that is where I parked.

All in all, ok for a long walk on a nice day when I’m short on time, but nothing...