A 40 acre wetland in Edwardsville, IL, the Watershed Nature Center was transformed from a city…read morelagoon to a city park in 1995. Our friends from Edwardsville took me and my wife there on a hot Monday afternoon. It was great to see collaboration between residents and city government to transform and maintain land used by both wildlife and people. This land was a sewage lagoon until 1984, when it was filled and stopped being used. In 1990, a proposal was made to transform it into a nature preserve, and a non-profit was formed to coordinate. Over the next five years, both public and private money was used to slowly terraform, until the center was officially opened to the public in 1995. The center features paved hiking trails, a raised marsh walk, and an air conditioned welcome center with educational classrooms. The Nature Preserve Foundation maintains the trails and native habitats. We saw quite a few animals during our stroll, with various birds (our friends are birders) and even a large snapping turtle close to the concrete marsh walk. We realized later that there was a female turtle underneath. There was also an area where bamboo was growing, with it being pretty clear how fast it can spread and grow if not intentionally controlled.

Located in Edwardsville Illinois,this is a nice 40 acre park with wetlands,woodlands and…read moregrasslands. Paved and gravel trails are well marked . Most trails circle the small lagoon. Pets are welcome. Plenty of parking.

Busy park and trails. Hiking for all levels. We make several trips a year from the Western burbs.read more

I mean. You can never go wrong when you visit this place…read more You think there's nothing more to life? Come here. You can think clearly up here just looking at that view. I had visited 5/18 with a few girlfriends. It had rained a day prior so there definitely were some muddy patches. We also encountered a black snake (too scared to take a picture- I ran away), a dead baby snake, a ton of cicada shells, spider webs in the way of our path, and some bees. We went around 11am and though the high was 84, it wasn't so bad since most of the trail is in the woods. I hadn't been here in a while but it seemed shorter than I remember. If you're looking for an hour-ish long hike, swing on by.

I really like this place. We had a fish fry from the fish here and it was so good. When my cousins…read moretold me the fish came from here, I had to check it out. I'm so happy that I did! The service is wonderful. The prices are great. Thisbis were You need to buy Your fish. He cut my Buffalo up the best, giving You as much of the meat that he can! This is fishmonger from here on! 1 Whole Buffalo cut-up into 15 pieces and a few small pieces $34.12 2 Whole Perch,gutted with head on $6.49 7 Catfish Fillets $12.49 Total with tax $57.33

Please check this Amazing shop for all your fishing needs !! You can get everything and snacks !read more

We decided to go to the lake. It was serene. It has a very peaceful vibe. People are kayaking,…read more walking and riding bikes. The lake is beautiful. Unfortunately I didn't feel like taking a stroll. Therefore I sat and watch people. There were some interesting people and families.

Fun lake. A long time ago when little I went with friends on a boat here. Would love to return.read more

We visited Simpson Park for Open Space STL's Paddle After Dark July 2026 fundraising event…read more"supporting conservation and clean water initiatives across our region." This included a 1-hour canoe rental for two from Big Muddy Adventures. I should start by saying that I was impressed that this park is so accessible to St. Louis City and County residents (near 141 and 44). It is well-maintained with a playground, walking paths, bathrooms (clean and well-stocked), a large covered shelter with picnic tables and a lovely lake with kayak/canoe rentals. Fishing is allowed. It was a hot day, but we enjoyed sitting in the shade, canoeing around the little lake and later seeing the sun set over the lake. I would like to return again and walk around the lake with our dog and then perhaps have a picnic on one of the covered picnic tables with a view of the lake.

My mom and I have been coming here for years, and wow it has really really grown (literally)…read more There's a great walking path around the lake, but you can't see it with the growth of the trees/ brush. It's a great distance to get some steps in, and if you want to continue your steps, you can head across Marshall near the water. It's clean, lots of wildlife, and a really lovely spot. I believe they also have the option of renting kayaks to go on the lake. If you're the outdoorsy type, it's worth checking out! Great spot to get together with friends and family.

Just driving around and never noticed this park area. We stopped and took a look around which was…read morereally cool. Looks like they also use this as a concert area. Really nice art piece too. Very cool how this space is used. There's a playground across the way too.

This is a nice park in the heart of Chesterfield. However, despite being in the heart of…read moreChesterfield (close to the interstate, the amphitheater and library), it was very quiet and hardly anyone was there. We came to see the Sculpture "The Awakening" which is a massive sculpture of a giant who is struggling to get out of the ground. It's not a single sculpture but five separate sculptures that make up "The Awakening". Great park to visit - not only for the sculpture but for some peace and quiet.

Deeper than I ever could have imagined…read more Narrow entrance off Howdershell starts with pavilion, medium sized playground, parking, restrooms (bring your own soap & towels). Then comes the "rolling" downhill to more parking, shade tree picnic area, nice pond surrounded by handicapped accessible pavilion and decks. The paved trail leads further back through the narrow band of woos between subdivisions till pavement ends. Then stay to the right and a nice flat trail starts for a little distance. Then "Grand Canyon" splits off to a rocky then muddy trail. Go the other direction and weeds end up taking over the trail. Back a paved trail- try the trail to the left- it goes downhill, but not nearly as step as "Grand Canyon" trail. But the trail becomes weedy after awhile.

This Hazelwood park sits well back from Howdershell Road. Though there's a park sign, the narrow…read moredriveway is easy to miss. This woodsy park actually sits amid subdivisions, but they're largely hidden by mature trees. By the time you wind your way down to the fishing lake in the back you might feel like you're a member of a private camp. On the way to the lake you'll pass a satisfactory but not large playground, picnic pavilion, restrooms, horseshoe pits, and rolling green space. There's also a paved walking track. The city's website lists volleyball amenities but I didn't see them. The fishing lake has a dock for disabled fishers. Missouri conservation department rules apply.

This park has excellent, rugged trails that incorporate the natural limestone into the hike. If…read morethat's your jam, this park is for you! Plan for 1.5-2 hrs.

Good park to learn prehistoric history. Has a small museum. It's a bit of a drive from St. Louis…read morebut a nice sight to see.