We wanted an interesting, shaded, dog-friendly hike on a hot sunny day. This park was a great choice. Plenty of free parking in their lots and lots of space, including a picnic area. For hiking, there are elevation changes and lots of trees. You can hike up the bluffs or just do a short down-and-around in the valley. Trails are well marked. Watch out for snakes on the rocks! read more

See all

This is a beautiful, convenient park right off 44. It can be a little confusing to get there from the city, but it's the same exit as Laumeier Sculpture Park. There's an easy to get to parking lot which is next to the restrooms, tables, and the river. We have a senior dog who loves the water so it was perfect since the river was so close, we didn't have to go on a long hike to get him down there. The park is green and seems huge. It's not the prettiest park in the area, but definitely convenient. read more

Russell E Emmenegger Nature Park - Parks Near Me - Kirkwood, Missouri

This is my absolute favorite nature park in the area. Great paved trails, nature trails, and the creek is awesome during spring and summer. We've been doing a forest group with our toddlers and they all love it here. So many spots to climb, explore, and play! read more

See all

I absolutely love this park. There are a couple nice trails you can do and you get a nice view of the river and the valley falling away to the southwest. It isn't a place where you would go for super serious hiking, but it is a great location to take kids or to go for a nice easy hike. read more

I enjoyed my hike here today. This place is a great place to be in nature, but also has easy access to highways. If you just need to get away from things and want to be amongst the trees, want to climb a hill, want to get some good exercise, this is the place. In addition to the 2 mile dirt and rock trail, which was quite muddy today in the middle of winter, there is also a shorter paved trail. Actually, I am not sure if the 2 mile distance I read about included the paved part of that, because you go on the paved part to get to the dirt trail. The trail passes over a creek, and you can see this creek for much of the first part of the trail. Then it goes up a steep hill to a ridge, which gives you views of the Meramec River. In addition to these trails, there is a picnic area and the restrooms there are open year-round (and they are real restrooms, not a porta-potties!). There is also a large field where you can let your dog or kids run free. Well, the kids can run free - the dogs are supposed to be on a leash! Across the highway from this park is Powder Valley Nature Center (also part of the Missouri Department of Conservation) which is also worth a look! read more

See all

Such a beautiful park! Bring your bug spray! There are picnic tables near the river where you can read and enjoy the peaceful beautiful view! We enjoyed reading there, even with hearing all the cheering from the Soccer park. There are bathrooms on location. read more

See all

"Rough in the Diamond" A-OK park next to the river with pavilions & dirt trails is what I have really enjoyed. The location is weird so confusing to find. Once I am there, I hear the highway traffic. What is great is this this is not for everyone. Not many know or really like this rustic quick getaway with traffic background noises. read more

Mon., Jan. 16, 2017 Emmenegger Nature Park We went for a weekend hike with our dog and he loved it. We found mushrooms growing on trees and stumps. At the top we had a break and had bread with cheese and sausage. We all loved the hike and ended up hiking a total of 1.53 miles. read more

See all

It's all about the river. Yep, I like long walks on the beach.. err.. mean river. Everyone knows of the Mississippi river but thats the dirtiest one! The meramec river is fairly clean if you drive all the way to end of this place, you'll find a second unmarked parking lot. Take this and follow the trail to the end. take a break and dip your feet in the river. Bring bug spray (just in case). Looks like some fishing is in an nearby inland lake.. so bring your gear too. I went here after getting some fried chicken at King Edwards since it was off 44. read more

Emmenegger is my favorite place to go for a quick after-work hike. Here are the reasons why it's awesome: -Hills! I get bored with hikes that are all on flat ground. -Wildlife (while I have not yet seen a beaver at this park, there is much evidence of their presence down by the river...there are also deer and of course tons of birds and squirrels) -LOCATION. This is the number one draw. It's a relatively quick drive from my apartment in South City. -I love that it's a little oasis that happens to be at the interchange of two major highways. Sitting on top of a hill surrounded by trees watching rush hour traffic is strangely magical! read more

When asked our favorite season, we respond instantly, followed by our persuasive reasons why. Autumn takes first place with me. I would rather take time off in October than any other part of the year. And when I am free I am outdoors, away from the slow boil of summer. Emmenegger Nature Park is a delicious little gem located across I-270 from Powder Valley Nature Center, as the crow flies. It's saving grace is that it has one way in, it's a loop trail & it sits a few minutes beyond "easily convenient." Translation hint: go between 10am & 4pm & you may be nearly alone. Walking briefly along a paved path (great for strollers, wheelchairs & fragile bones) it turns off to a soft, natural dirt hiking trail as it hugs the edge of the Meramec River. That's where "easy" ends & "moderate" begins as the trail climbs to skirt along a bluff before winding its way back to the paved path, a quick 1.5 miles. Tennis shoes are fine for most of it but hiking shoes work easier on the rocky, uneven ground. Although highway traffic is heard it becomes easy to allow the endless murmur to recede into the background as you focus on fresh air, water, hills, rock, forest & foliage. Leave your I-pod in the car & enjoy nature in this well kept oasis. There is parking, a bulletin board, a bat tower, picnic area & clean restrooms onsite. Be prepared to be eye level with the Meramec followed by panoramic views stretching far out to the southwest on a clear day. Dogs need to be leashed - there isn't a lot of room for passing or aggressive displays on a 15 inch trail. You'll feel a bit winded & refreshed from your all too short visit. read more

Great day at the park with the Midwest Crystal Festival, the park was great and clean. Right next to the river ..... Very peaceful. Had a fantastic day at this park, Midwest Crystal Festival fantastic. read more

Russell E Emmenegger Nature Park - Stone Statue - Parks Near Me - Kirkwood, Missouri

See all

Hidden gem. Great wild flower displays in early spring. Family hiking and river views. Not a lot of parking and no bikes on the trails.

This park is tucked away and rather a challenge to find. There are a couple of hiking trails, a pavilion, a bathroom and little else. The roads within in the park need attention. Nice to sit and watch the river flow by. read more

Russell E Emmenegger Nature Park - Babbling brook - Parks Near Me - Kirkwood, Missouri

See all

A great hike at Emmenegger today. It was New Years Day and it seemed everyone was out hiking. Must be something I know nothing about! I've never seen so many people here. Great to see so many people out in nature with their kids. If this is a thing maybe it will be our thing from now on! read more

Emmenegger Park is beautiful, but it is NOT nn off-leash dog location. It is a natural area preserved in its natural state. If you see dogs off leash, they are breaking the law. read more

Wonderful paved paths for those who prefer a flat easy walk in the woods. For those looking for more of a challenge try the unpaved paths. Some flat, some hilly and steep. Beautiful overlooks over the Meramec River. Highly recommend for those looking for a new place to hike. My daughter and I had a great time following the trails through the woods. read more

Emmenegger is a wonderful park nestled into the corner of Kirkwood offering both a paved and natural surface trail through the woods and along the bluffs above the Meramec River. The trail is approximately a mile and does contain a moderately steep climb on one section. BUT PLEASE TAKE NOTE: THIS IS NOT AN OFF-LEACH PARK AS INDICATED IN THE YELP CATEGORY. The signage is clearly posted and endorsement is a growing priority in the park system. Tickets can and have been written - I know this for a fact. Dogs on leach are welcome, but please look for other options nearby for off-leach fun/exercise with your dogs. read more