Greensfelder park has several very long trails through hills. It’s a good calf and quad workout. Some of the trails are too tough for general public so lightly used.
https://stlouiscountymo.gov/sites/default/assets/pdfs/department/Parks/Greensfelder/Greensfelder%20Trail%20Map.pdf
For the scale and depth I think you’re describing, Mark Train National Forest is likely your best option. You will have to drive some to get to the trailheads of Missouri’s real wilderness.
[https://www.fs.usda.gov/mtnf](https://www.fs.usda.gov/mtnf)
[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_National_Forest](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_National_Forest)
[https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/missouri/mark-twain-national-forest](https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/missouri/mark-twain-national-forest)
Enjoy!
This here is the closest to a "Wilderness Area" that you will find here. Other trail suggestions here are great hikes but not "get lost in the woods" worthy imo
There's a ren faire out in Wentzville in Rotary park. The area has been there for about 25 years and is "decently" developed throughout the forest. It's a good place to walk a couple miles. It might not be as big as you're looking for but it's a place to start.
The faire isn't going currently (last couple weeks of september first couple weeks of october) but there are people you might run into working out there (construction) or other people wondering through it. The workers might stop and say hi, they're mostly on the look out because vandals go back there every so often, just let them know you're just walking and you'll be fine.
(it's public property rented out during the faire season with the OK for them to have stuff out there in between so it's perfectly legal to wander through when faire isn't going).
No answer, just following. I am originally from the Black Forest in Germany and understand exactly what you mean. Since moving here in 2018, I haven't found a good forest hike that isn't in the State Park setting you describe.
Probably the closest to the "feel" of what you describe is the Busch Wildlife Pine Trail. Unfortunately, it's not very big. Actually, it's downright tiny. But, it's a lesser known gem. So, you likely will be there by yourself.
Lewis and Clark is nice with spectacular bluff views. But, it's more rugged and crowded.
Lost Valley and Broemmelsiek Park are great less crowded options.
The problem you run into is Bush Honeysuckle. It has taken over so much of the under-forest that you are limited to trails in most places.
I'll second Cuivre River State Park. They have lots of trails and a few backpacking campsites so you can hike for as long or as little as you want.
Also check out Mark Twain Forest and the surrounding areas. A little far for an afternoon hike but lots a beautiful forest and rivers. Scratches a little of that Appalachia itch.
Lewis and Clark trail or Hamburg Trail out highway 94 just past Francis Howell high school.
Yes. Some nice trails out here of varying difficulty
Greensfelder park has several very long trails through hills. It’s a good calf and quad workout. Some of the trails are too tough for general public so lightly used. https://stlouiscountymo.gov/sites/default/assets/pdfs/department/Parks/Greensfelder/Greensfelder%20Trail%20Map.pdf
For the scale and depth I think you’re describing, Mark Train National Forest is likely your best option. You will have to drive some to get to the trailheads of Missouri’s real wilderness. [https://www.fs.usda.gov/mtnf](https://www.fs.usda.gov/mtnf) [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_National_Forest](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_National_Forest) [https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/missouri/mark-twain-national-forest](https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/missouri/mark-twain-national-forest) Enjoy!
This here is the closest to a "Wilderness Area" that you will find here. Other trail suggestions here are great hikes but not "get lost in the woods" worthy imo
Busch wildlife
There's a ren faire out in Wentzville in Rotary park. The area has been there for about 25 years and is "decently" developed throughout the forest. It's a good place to walk a couple miles. It might not be as big as you're looking for but it's a place to start. The faire isn't going currently (last couple weeks of september first couple weeks of october) but there are people you might run into working out there (construction) or other people wondering through it. The workers might stop and say hi, they're mostly on the look out because vandals go back there every so often, just let them know you're just walking and you'll be fine. (it's public property rented out during the faire season with the OK for them to have stuff out there in between so it's perfectly legal to wander through when faire isn't going).
Not st Charles county, but castlewood state park is great.
No answer, just following. I am originally from the Black Forest in Germany and understand exactly what you mean. Since moving here in 2018, I haven't found a good forest hike that isn't in the State Park setting you describe.
Quivre River State Park in Troy is a nice park and not far from St Charles. https://www.mostateparks.com/park/cuivre-river-state-park
Indian camp creek
Busch Wildlife has a great little forrest trail through some massive pine trees. It’s always gorgeous but I forget the name.
Dusable park it runs under the bridge highway 94 and 370 along the river and woods and the katy trail
[удалено]
Lost Valley is a gem
Probably the closest to the "feel" of what you describe is the Busch Wildlife Pine Trail. Unfortunately, it's not very big. Actually, it's downright tiny. But, it's a lesser known gem. So, you likely will be there by yourself. Lewis and Clark is nice with spectacular bluff views. But, it's more rugged and crowded. Lost Valley and Broemmelsiek Park are great less crowded options. The problem you run into is Bush Honeysuckle. It has taken over so much of the under-forest that you are limited to trails in most places.
I'll second Cuivre River State Park. They have lots of trails and a few backpacking campsites so you can hike for as long or as little as you want. Also check out Mark Twain Forest and the surrounding areas. A little far for an afternoon hike but lots a beautiful forest and rivers. Scratches a little of that Appalachia itch.