Castlewood State Park

Castlewood State Park is a Missouri state park spanning both sides of the Meramec River, with meadows, steep bluffs, and more than 40 kilometers of trails for hiking and mountain biking. The land includes both flat sections and elevation changes, creating varied terrain for different activity levels.

The grounds served as Lincoln Beach resort town from 1915 through the 1940s, drawing thousands of weekend visitors who arrived by Missouri Pacific Railroad. Later structures like the Lincoln Lodge and Lone Wolf Club were built to serve these visitors.

The grounds once served as a getaway for city visitors who arrived by train and spent weekends enjoying the riverside location. Today, traces of earlier buildings and pathways remind visitors of when this place was a hub for social gatherings.

The park offers many trails with varying difficulty levels, from the flat Al Foster Trail to the hillier Grotpeter Trail for more challenging hikes. Routes suit both walkers and mountain bikers, so visitors should choose based on their preference and fitness level.

The southern section of the park houses the World Bird Sanctuary, which focuses on caring for and rehabilitating raptors. The sanctuary gives visitors a look at bird conservation work and is accessible through the adjacent Lone Elk County Park.

Location: St. Louis County

Inception: 1974

Website: https://mostateparks.com/park/castlewood-state-park

GPS coordinates: 38.55110,-90.54110

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:04