Salt Lick Point Land and Water Reserve — Attraction in Valmeyer

We started at Salt Lick Trail by going counter-clockwise from the trailhead on the right side of the parking lot. Pretty intense incline (built in wooden steps) but better to do the incline at the beginning of your hike than at the end. We stopped a lot on the way up, but others cruised right past us.

Keeps steadily going up to Salt Lick Point. Connects to Newman Trail to the overlook. After the overlook, goes back down pretty steeply. Make sure you are wearing boots that fit or your toes will be upset.

The last 1.25 miles of the trail (connects to Johnson Trail) is at the bottom of the hill near fields and is flat. Reminded me of Castlewood State Park trail along the river. The flat path is has farmland on one side and bluffs on the other. The bluffs have mines/caves carved from them. Large boulders fallen from the bluffs surrounded the area and ate good for climbing on. It's not possible to get to the mines (and it is prohibited).

There are lots of options on routes to take, but this way, we hit all three trails and...

This is a really nice place to hike, ride, or walk.

The sign to this “park” is not very clear.

The parking lot is weird, as it seems to share it with a business to it. It oddly shaped, as there are appears to be 2 different places you can park. Some big rigs where kind of blocking the part in the back.

There might be a parking lot in the back. People on the did not know if visitors were allowed to park back there.

There are some cool old places to visit, but they are all off limits which is understandable and a shame.

Several parts of the trail were intense.

Did not seem them all, but the one scenic outlook was OK.

Going to try this place again, during the...

We had a lot of fun. The salt lick trail is steep so probably not best for the elderly, young children, or people with mobility issues. There are some trail maps that are posted online that aren't 100% accurate. I suggest taking a picture of the maps posted at the salt lick trail head. Also the Newmann trail crosses a creek probably 20 times so if it has recently rained it may be impassable. All in all a great hike that is close to st louis. When the are leaves on the trees the views may not quite be as impressive as described some...