(Here's another wonderful hiking spot for a recent West Newsmagazine article. All photos are courtesy of Missouri State Parks.)
Back in the early 20th century, there was a bustling resort town named Castlewood in what is now West St. Louis County. On hot days, hundreds of people would flock to nearby Lincoln Beach along the Meramec River.
Castlewood State Park, officially named with its 1974 introduction, preserves those exhilarating views which drew tourists to the area in droves. Beyond the scenery, the area itself has an interesting history.
“The (Missouri Pacific) railroads were built out this way in the mid-19th century,” said Superintendent David Meeker. “We have a neat photo in our office showing the Castlewood Depot. It was not what you think of when you think of the Kirkwood Depot. It was basically a spot where you could step up on or off the train. That depot on the tracks was near what was called The Grand Staircase, which is a concrete staircase that went from the track level, up the bluffs, and headed to the cabins, hotels.”
Meeker said the train had a custom car to transport people’s canoes to the area. People would get off work on Friday, haul their canoe to the train depot, put it on the train and come out to the park for the weekend. That train still comes through on a regular basis while Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner Line comes through four times a day.
“Back then, Castlewood was far away from the developed city of St. Louis, and out here, there were many cabins, recreation areas and business areas built up to serve more like a summer vacation type of community,” Meeker said. “You could come out with the family and rent a cabin for the weekend, hit a couple trails here and there, swim in the river, canoe … things like that.”
The area’s popularity diminished a great deal as the introduction of the automobile led to people driving greater distances to sites in all directions just after World War II. Through that time, the area fell into disarray due to building abandonments and natural deterioration.
Fast forward to the early 1970s and the Open Space Council for the St. Louis Region and other citizen activists began working together to advocate for more green spaces in what became expanded urban areas.
“What I find significant about Castlewood is that it’s 1,818 acres of primarily undeveloped forests, river bottoms and ecosystems that you rarely see in West St. Louis County,” Meeker said. “As a large point of significance, the park exists to serve as a very large greenspace.
“You could be driving down Big Bend Road and see nothing but housing, businesses and you’re near the highway. Then when you take a left heading south on Ries Road and once you hit our border, it can be overwhelming for some people because it’s nothing but forest. Then, there’s a winding road that leads into the park entrance.”
The park’s hiking opportunities featuring ruralness and scenic views spread across Castlewood’s eight trails that cover some 30 total miles.
Most first-time Castlewood visitors are totally unaware of what roughly two-thirds of the park could offer to them.
“The day-use area is where most people come to visit,” Meeker said. “But we have trails on the south side of the Meramec River as well. There’s the Castlewood Loop Trail and the Chubb Trail. Those are managed in cooperation with St. Louis County Parks. But on the north side of the Meramec River to the west of the day-use area, we have other properties as well. We have the Al Foster Trail which stretches out to Wildwood, the Cedar Bluff Loop, and the Stinging Nettle Trail.”
Castlewood is a busy location on nice days for hiking, mountain biking and other activities. In addition, the park plays host to third party and special events regularly, and features several major volunteer events throughout the year as well.
“Starting in April, we are beginning a series of Trail Maintenance Volunteer Days that are on the second and fourth Tuesdays every month from April-October,” Meeker said.
Meeker said a recently improved park feature is the Lone Wolf Trailhead gazebo.
“The structure was in need of a lot of help,” Meeker said. “We replaced all the posts on it, poured concrete sidewalks all around it, and it’s ADA accessible as well.”
Castlewood’s park gates and grounds are open year-round daily from 7 a.m. to one-half hour after sunset.
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