Cliff Cave County Park

Cliff Cave County Park is a county park near the Mississippi River featuring woodland, wetlands, and rocky hillsides with significant elevation changes. The landscape includes a natural cave formation embedded in the bluff overlooking the river.

The land was granted to Jean Baptiste Gamache in 1749 and later served as a riverside tavern for French fur trappers during the 1770s. The site remained an important stop for river travelers and traders for generations.

The park takes its name from the natural cave formation visible along the riverbank, marking a place where people and the landscape have long intersected. Visitors today can observe how the terrain sits between bluffs and river valley, revealing the importance this setting held for those who came before.

The park has marked trails, rest areas, and restrooms accessible to visitors of various abilities. Wear sturdy footwear since paths cross hilly and uneven terrain.

The natural cave was used by a wine company for storage in 1866 and later by Anheuser-Busch for beer cooling. This shows how businesses once took advantage of the cave's naturally cool conditions for their operations.

Location: St. Louis County

Address: 806 Cliff Cave Rd, St Louis, Missouri, United States

Website: http://stlouisco.com/ParksandRecreation/ParkPages/CliffCave

GPS coordinates: 38.46090,-90.29290

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:41