Shaw Nature Reserve, formerly known as Shaw Arboretum, is a 2,400 acres private non-profit nature reserve located in Gray Summit, Missouri, that is operated as an extension of the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AI.
Gallery 66
4.7
(32)
Guffey's Pizza
4.6
(224)
We have a membership to The Botanical Gardens and admission is free to members so we decided to check it out (even though I would have gladly paid the admission). Grab a map at The Visitor's Center when you pay and head out. There are 17 miles of hiking trails and the map will show you where you start your adventures. The Visitor's Center also has a whiteboard that shows wildlife that has been spotted and where. We drove through most of the reserve first and then stopped at the Maritz Trail House. There are quite a few covered picnic tables here and restrooms . Since we are NOT hikers but hope and dream that maybe someday.....we chose the shortest of the 3 trails that begin on the other side of the pavilion - the Wildflower Trail. This is an approximately 1 mile hike (according to MapMyHike app on my phone) with less than half uphill but it takes you through some gorgeous fields and forest. There are several benches along the trail to sit and rest or just relax and take in the beauty. We did this hike in a little over 30 minutes (that included stops for photo ops) - not too awful bad for 2 middle-aged overweight newbies ;). Even though this is just south of I-44, you honestly cannot hear the traffic. It is very quiet and peaceful and the people you meet along the way are friendly. Next time we plan on taking one of the trails that leads to water. Speaking of which, DON'T FORGET TO TAKE WATER WITH YOU ON YOUR...
Read more
This place is amazing! So many different trails and ecosystems to explore. I've been visiting for about 25 years and it never gets old. So much to learn about Missouri's wildlife.
Many of the reviewers mention the cost. True there is a fee to enter, but this is a nature reserve, not a public park. A lot of time and effort is spent on education and promoting native wildlife.
The native plant sale they host annually is a great resource.
There are limited areas in which to park and overcrowding the reserve would be irresponsible. I am glad for the limited number of reservations, although it does mean I have to plan ahead or risk missing out for the day.
Pets are not allowed due to the altering effects they have on the biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem.
It is legal for a business to ask whether your animal is a service animal. If it is a service animal, it is legal to ask what service...
Read more
Always Love to go explore Shaw. when hiking with a small group this time and what a great time of year to be there: the Meadows are severely grown up now, taller than me at 6'2" and the wildflowers there were completely out of control. really pretty. it was also interesting to see what the recent flooding had done to some of the creeks and it looks like they've repaired the trails pretty well since then, so that's great.
The only downside was a less than pleasant encounter with someone in a Shaw shirt who appeared to be leading a group of people and took serious issue with a leashed, harnessed dog just trotting along next to us. he indicated that the website said no dogs and I guess we all missed that. I get that, but he could have been nicer about it.
overall, had a great time though and we sure got a lot of steps in that day in a really...
Read more
