“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” – Albert Camus
It’s time for the “second spring,” which for many means it’s time for enjoying fall foliage in St. Louis. Predictions claimed the leaves would start changing colors around October 6, and will peak between October 27 and November 10.
SmokyMountains.com provides an interactive map predicting fall foliage across the U.S. If cooler fall days continue, the St. Louis area should see four to five weeks of color change this season. And throughout much of the St. Louis area, seniors can enjoy the colorful view from their car or on easy, safe walking paths.
10 Places to Admire Fall Foliage in St. Louis
1. TOWER GROVE PARK
Tower Grove Park is a wooded Victorian park with grassy meadows and approximately 7,000 trees. It is the second-largest park in the city, which makes it a great spot for enjoying fall foliage in St. Louis.
Location: 4257 Northeast Dr., St. Louis
Open: Sunrise to sunset daily
Phone: (314) 771-2679
2. MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
The Missouri Botanical Garden is a National Historic Landmark and home to a wide variety of plants and trees. Advance e-ticket purchases are recommended to ensure faster entry and guaranteed access. Shuttles are available.
Location: 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis
Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (Last entry at 4:30 p.m.)
Phone: (314) 577-5100
3. FOREST PARK
At 1,300 acres, Forest Park is the city’s largest park. It features beautiful landscapes sprinkled with forests, ecosystems, nature reserves, lakes and streams—making it a dream destination for those seeking beautiful scenes of fall foliage in St. Louis.
Location: 5595 Grand Drive, St. Louis
Open: 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Phone: (314) 367-7275
4. SUGAR CREEK PARK
Sugar Creek Park is a small, 20-acre park off interstate 270 and Dougherty Ferry Road with a short walking trail.
Location: 435 Des Peres Rd., Des Peres
Open: Dawn to dusk daily
5. LONGVIEW FARM PARK
Longview Farm Park features trails that wind through woods and around a lake alongside stables and pastures.
Location: 13525 Clayton Rd., Town and Country
Open: 6 a.m.- 6 p.m. daily
Phone: (314) 587-2812
6. CREVE COEUR LAKE MEMORIAL PARK
At Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park, woodlands surround a 320-acre lake located in Maryland Heights. Trails in the park are both paved and unpaved, and relatively flat. The trails are shared by walkers, runners and cyclists.
Locations:
Sailboat Cove: 13725 Marine Ave., St. Louis
Upper Creve Coeur: 13236 Streetcar Dr., St. Louis
Open: Dawn (half hour before official sunrise) to dusk (half hour after official sunset) daily. Gates open by 7 a.m.
7. MAIN STREET IN ST. CHARLES
Main Street is located along the tree-lined banks of the Missouri River. While viewing the foliage, you can visit a wide variety of shops, historic buildings and restaurants.
8. LONE ELK PARK
Located approximately 30 minutes west of St. Louis, Lone Elk Park is a wildlife management area, with bison, wild turkey, waterfowl, elk and deer. Miles of paved road wind through the park.
Location: 1 Lone Elk Park Rd., St. Louis (It is advised that you use a GPS or a print out for directions to the park.)
Hours: 8 a.m. till official sunset daily
9. ROCKWOODS RESERVATION
Rockwoods Reservation is a 1,880-acre state forest and wildlife conservation area in St. Louis County. There are about 13 miles of foot trails, some easier than others, that take hikers near caves and along Hamilton Creek. However, paved roads throughout the reservation allow you to drive through easily.
Location: 2751 Glencoe Rd., Wildwood (Approximately 40 minutes west of St. Louis.)
Open: Sunrise to one-half hour after sunset daily.
Phone: (636) 458-2236
10. DR. EDMUND A. BABLER MEMORIAL STATE PARK
Babler Memorial State Park is a 35 to 40-minute scenic drive west from St. Louis to Wildwood. Babler’s trail options are described in detail on their website.
Location: 800 Guy Park Dr., Wildwood
Open: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily April through October and 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily November through March
Phone: (636) 458-3813
Find more fun activities for seniors by visiting Bethesda’s Senior Living blog.
