I will admit, the negative reviews made me a little apprehensive to book a trail ride here but I am…read moreso glad I did. While I sympathize with those whose experiences were different than mine, I encourage others to ignore the reviews, book a ride and make up your own mind. For us, the distance from downtown St. Louis to here was great and I would have no problem coming here often. The second half of the drive has a scenic view of the river and is worth the commute in itself. I loved how quiet and peaceful the location is even with all of the restaurants etc nearby. Unlike another reviewer, we had absolutely no issue finding the stables using Apple Maps. The stables are located right off of the main road and easy to spot ahead of your turn. We were told to arrive 30 mins or so before our scheduled ride and were greeted warmly by the owner and his incredibly friendly cat. We felt comfortable and any anxiety from bad reviews melted away instantly. The owner and our trail guide were patient with us newbies...answering all of our questions and making sure we were comfortable before we set off. The horses are well cared for and docile. Phones are not allowed while riding but the owner kindly offered to take any photos we wanted before and after our ride. This small gesture made our day and I love having those photos to look back on. The trail was beautiful and the horses handled it with ease. The only issue we encountered had absolutely nothing to do with the company/staff but nature being nature. The horse flies were intense and if you're anything like me, you may want to schedule your ride during months where they aren't so bad. However, weeks later, I am still so impressed with and in awe of how my horse and our trail guide handled the seemingly endless freak outs I had every time a horse fly appeared. At times I was on the verge of tears, in full panic mode, screeching, dodging bites, recklessly moving from side to side and yet my horse remained calm and collected. I know it had to have been annoying to listen to and witness but our trail guide told stories and jokes to calm me down, he got many of the flies away from me and my horse and made the whole ride a positive experience in spite of those darn flies. 100% would come here again. Please give this place a chance and support these wonderful horses!

I regret having to write this review, but I feel compelled to share my experience to help others…read moreavoid the disappointment my family faced. We booked a horseback riding trip for three on Saturday, June 1, 2024. On the morning of our ride, Aaron, the manager, called to inform us that the trip was cancelled due to poor trail conditions following a rainy week. I understood and agreed that riding would be unwise under those conditions. Aaron asked if we would like to reschedule, and despite living more than two hours away from the stables, we initially agreed. However, we did not reschedule immediately because we were unsure when we could return to Grafton. Their cancellation policy clearly states there are no refunds if guests cancel within two weeks of the reservation. Two days later, on Monday morning, I called the stables to request a refund, realizing that a trip to Grafton would not be feasible in the foreseeable future. Aaron informed me that a refund was not possible because I had not requested it during his initial call about the cancellation. I found this policy confusing and unreasonable. The company cancelled the trip, not us, and since we did not reschedule at the time, the two-week cancellation policy should not apply. There is no mention of this specific scenario on their website or in their fine print. Despite numerous conversations with Aaron over the past three and a half weeks, I have not received a refund of $165 for a trip that will not happen. Each time, I was promised a call from the owner, which never materialized. Even if we could reschedule, I would be hesitant to put my family's well-being in the hands of someone who has demonstrated a lack of patience, responsibility, and effort to resolve the issue. This is the first review I have ever written, but after giving the management of Pere Marquette Riding Stables ample time to rectify the situation, I feel compelled to warn others. Aaron informed me just 15 minutes ago that the owner would not be calling me back or issuing a refund and then hung up the phone. While I'm sure the horses are great and the trails are beautiful, I strongly recommend considering other options and working with a business that values its customers. I also wish we had read other reviews before booking, as it appears we are not the first to encounter such issues with this company.

If you're a bird watcher or like a good nature walk, then you've got to visit, Audobon Center at…read moreRiverlands. Here you will learn more about birds, than they taught you in school biology. Out on their deck/patio they have telescopes that will get you super close to the birds you are watching. During Eagle season, which is January and February, this is one of the better places to see those majestic birds. If you are a hiker, or just want to get your daily steps in, the trails here are beautiful paths to follow and they are extremely safe. Get back to nature and come visit Riverlands. Great place for Grandparents and Grandkids to explore.

This is a beautiful nature and education center. Lots of bird information and beautiful grounds to…read morewalk and enjoy some bird watching.

Nice park with great scenery. Been up here for Eagle Watching while a kid. They had a giant human…read moresized chess board in the lodge, not sure if it still exists.

Pere Marquette is the place to experience the beauty of fall foliage. The rich colors of; orange,…read moreyellow and red on all the trees makes it a sight to behold. Enjoy the colors by walking/hiking the many trails. You can get real adventurous and go horseback riding. Or be like me and sit on the deck at the lodge and enjoy a bottle of wine while enjoying the beauty of nature. No matter the season, you cannot go wrong exploring the 8000 acres of Pere Marquette State Park.

We had a great time zip lining here. Our tour guides Zack and Chuck were great and funny. We where…read morethe last tour of the day. The tour felt a little rushed. In the description of the tour it said the 4 zip lines, atvs, and 2 suspension bridges. The att description is a little misleading. The ATVs were to get you from the chair lifts to the first zip line and to take you back to the chair lifts after the last zip line. The tour guides did a great job of telling you about the zip lines. They also allowed you time to take photos of the scenery which was absolutely amazing. We there there during the fall as the leaves were changing. Zac and Chuck our tour guides were a lot of fun and the zip lines where great. But please note they want you there 30 mins early however when taking the chair lift up to the zip lining office takes about 30 mins. So make sure you give yourself extra time. We got there about 40 mins early and made it right at our start time. They did give us a call to see if we were still on our way, we let them know we were still in the stair lift. Definitely recommend this zip line.

I went for my 40th birthday and had a blast the tour guides were excellent and very knowledgeable.read more

Whether you are an experienced bird watcher or just beginning,this is definitely a place you want…read moreto visit . This huge nature preserve with visitors center offers bird exhibits as well as educational programs. We spoke to one of the employees who told us where to go to see various birds. You can walk the trails or drive around as there are numerous pull offs for picture taking. Plenty of parking as well as public restrooms and picnic tables. There is no admission fee but a small donation is suggested.

Do you love bird watching? If not, after a visit to Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, it may be…read moreyour new interest and hobby. There's 3,700 acres of diverse conversation land and 1,200 of wetlands, making it perfect for all types of birds. 60% of North American migrating bird species use the Mississippi River Flyway and they do it with no TSA or Flight Controllers. On any given day, you'll have a chance to see a variety of waterfowls including; Pelicans, Swans, Geese and Ducks. You'll also get a glimpse of, Herons, Egrets and Ring Necked Gulls. During the colder months, like January and February, you will definitely get to see an American Bald Eagle. In addition of bird watching, you can enjoy one of the many trails for hiking and biking. The staff from Audubon Center and the US Army Corps of Engineers are on site and can ask any questions you may have. I recommend that you get out and not only explore nature, but enjoy it too.

Jena is an excellent riding coach and operates a great stable. Our pony Chip is well taken care of…read moreand his demeanor has improved so much since we started boarding him there. Everyone there is like one big happy family!

If you're up for a bit of an adventure, these Sunflowers are totally worth the effort and are…read moreblooming now. The drive there takes you down a long, dusty dirt road that adds a little thrill to the journey. It might feel like you're heading into the middle of nowhere, but once you arrive, the sight of the sunflowers makes the drive completely worth it. This year the field is a tad smaller than the other fields in the past. Although the road getting there is a little rugged, the beauty of the sunflowers makes it all worthwhile especially with the pictures that we took to create great memories.

As an avid photographer, this is the place! The…read moreconservation is gorgeous during all seasons and the sunsets are spectacular. But summer is everything out here! You'll beautiful indigo bunting bird, and red winged black birds as your drive through. You will spot bunnies on the side of the road, too. You must be very vigilant as the deer to cross in front of you at times, especially in the evenings. I have also experienced hearing and did see coyotes in two packs howling and meeting up in the fields -- never have come close! The sunflower fields are worth the trip. There are about 5-6 all throughout the area, with mowed pathways to walk out to them. Some are closer to the road and two require about a 7min walk out down a dirt road, lined with wild flowers, and beautiful butterflies. It is bumblebee city within the sunflowers! I have been to Columbia Bottom many times and have never been stung, they are completely harmless if you're just respectful and stay calm. :) You must be aware of the wasps though, but they don't seem to bother me either. I would say, to anyone very sensitive to mosquitoes, be smart - use your bug spray, especially in the evenings. Your bet is a morning or afternoon visit to avoid the nuisance. The conservation area also has a beautiful river walk to a dock (right off the boat loading parking lot) and a hidden little spot to sit by the river, just about a 3 min walk on a trail. There is one other mile walk down to the "conjuntion" .. but I have yet to discover that. In all, it truly is a hidden gem for anyone that loves nature and or photography. This place, in all, is good for the soul!

The address and phone number for this listing are wrong. I could not figure out how to notify…read moreYelp. This park at 4550 College Ave Alton, IL 62002 United States The phone number is +1 (618) 325-0035 Website is cityofaltonil.com

I am amazed that this place has not receive a review. I wonderful park with many amenities to use…read more Multiple playgrounds are spread throughout the park in locations adjacent to soccer and baseball fields. There is also fishing available and a beautiful rose garden. The park also has plenty of walking and exercise opportunities. If it is a BBQ you fancy then use one of the many grill and picnic tables!