Hiking at Shaw Nature Reserve šæ | A Peaceful Escape Near St. Louis
A while back, I finally visited the Shaw Nature Reserveāa gem Iād had bookmarked forever! Just a 40-minute drive from downtown STL (near Six Flags), this serene 2,400-acre sanctuary is part of the Missouri Botanical Garden. š Quick Logistics: šļø Entry fee: $5/person (pay at the visitor center) š Fun detail: If driving in, youāll get a tiny coin to drop into a gate machineālike a vintage arcade token! Drop it, the barrier lifts, and youāre in. š³ Trail Adventures: With 9 interconnected trails (18 miles total), we picked a 6-mile loop from AllTrails. Highlights: āļø Open roads (great for driving, a bit sunny for hiking) š² Forest paths (gentle hills, minimal elevationā397 ft total) š§ Scenic water spots: ā¢ Meramec River (a tad murky but peaceful) ā¢ Cypress Lake (crystal-clear and perfect for a rest stop!) š¾ Wildlife Encounters: š¦ Shy deer peeking through trees š¢ A majestic long-tailed turtle šæļø A fuzzy groundhog (too busy crossing the road to pose for pics!) š¦ Dozens of butterflies fluttering around Verdict: Ideal for a relaxing drive + short walks (park, hike a trail, drive to the next). Pure hiking? Might feel too easy for hardcore trail lovers. š Pro Tip: 2024 marks the reserveās 100th anniversary! Summer events include live concertsācheck the Missouri Botanical Garden website for details. š Stats: š„¾ Distance: 6 miles ā°ļø Elevation gain: 397 ft ā±ļø Time: 2h 16m #StLouis #HikingAdventures #NatureLover #ShawNatureReserve #WildlifeWatching #MissouriExplorer
