Great hiking and bike riding location. Lots of trees and near Katy trail! Love this place!

(AUGUST 2025) I'd never seen the sunflower fields that my friends post about with their children and families until recently. It almost seemed unbelievable some of the imagery stemming from these 7,000 acres of natural beauty and outdoor recreation in the heart of scenic Missouri wine county. Once you are off highway 40, it's 50-55mph WINE-dy back roads to get there. Once you get into the turn in, it's a graveled road with a trailhead to the Katy Trail. Do not even think about having a clean car upon entering this place. It will get dirty and dusty. There are also (surprisingly) random humans running in the middle of the narrow driveway leading up to the sunflower field and ending at a boat ramp. I never understood why people never stick to one side of the road while on foot amongst VEHICLES. I find my friend and we exit our vehicles to begin our mini photoshoot in the sunflower fields. I felt like Candy(wo)man as the bees tended to the sunflowers while I freaked out thinking they'd sting me with my bright yellow shirt on and black skirt. It was so blissful to see sooo many beautiful BIG butterflies fly around us. The caterpillars were on like every leaf just hanging out like the Caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland. It was nature at its finest. Sunflowers for as far as the eye can see. The sounds of bees (and flies) buzzing about. I tried to relax, and we got a few non-frantic pictures of me. I will wear pants next time and try to relax more. I was invading THEIR space, not the opposite. read more

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4/23/23: Updated this page to accurately reflect the reviews and location. WSCA is a Missouri Department of Conservation property left largely in a natural state. Consisting of two interlocking trails, the Lewis and Clark trails can be hiked separately for shorter walks or combined for an 8-mile trek. The trails are moderately strenuous, so good health and physical conditioning are recommended. Both trails descend into deep ravines and ascend to high ridges. Rocks, roots, and ruts make some sections treacherous. If you walk the Clark Trail counter clockwise you'll reach the high bluffs overlooking the Missouri River about 1-1/2 miles--or 30-40 minutes in. It's quite a view and worth the trek. read more

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This is my second time hiking here. The hike was enjoyable. When we went here, it was right after the rain so the trail itself was muddy. However, I still enjoyed this hike a lot. Parking is plenty in the trail gravel parking area. Phone reception here was not great though. I took a picture of a map I assume someone post at the board near the entrance of the hike. This hike is moderately intense so be prepared by bringing plenty of water. read more

Weldon Spring Conservation Area - Hiking Near Me - St. Charles, Missouri

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There are 2 main trails here: Lewis and Clark. Lewis Trail is 8.2 miles and is my favorite this far. More secluded, deep into the forest with nature connections were happening. Beautiful views of the Missouri River from high bluffs. Fairytale forest trees and woodland creature rustling about the leaves. This trail is less traveled so be prepared to knock down and/or have to fight your way through some massive spider web work. The Clark Trail is 5.3 miles and has some decent inclines and beautiful viewpoints too. There are benches/rest points along this trail. A couple of steep inclines to beware of if you're mobility challenged or other health issues. However, I've seen plenty of golden agers out with their canes and walking sticks, making it happen. You'll get a proper workout on either trail. I did the Clark trail in 1 hour 10min with a brisk walk, sprinkled with a prance here and there. Lewis Trail - done in 2hrs 6min with a walk/jog combo. No bicycles are allowed on this trail, which I love. The Yelp address on this listing will NOT take you to these trails. Enter Weldon Spring Lewis and Clark trail in your Apple map, and it'll lead you in the right direction. It's such a beautiful, peaceful slice of nature. read more

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Was in the Weldon Spring Conservation Area working a military dental event. The space was peaceful, it was clean & people clearly have respect for the grounds! read more

Weldon Spring Conservation Area - Hiking Near Me - St. Charles, Missouri

Took the family to the sun flower fields to get some pictures and took in all the beautiful scenery. Love that there are easy to navigate signs when you drive into park on how to locate the sun flowers fields. Also a huge plus that it's a very short drive down the road to fields compared to other local seasonal sun flower fields that can have you driving down multiple long gravels roads before getting there. Be prepared to be around bees but you have to remember they are there for the flowers and will leave you alone if you leave them alone! read more

Weldon Spring Conservation Area - Sun Flower Field - Hiking Near Me - St. Charles, Missouri

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Great walking / biking trails lined with wildflowers. A beautiful place to take a walk in Weldon Spring. There is a lake and spot to stop for a break at a table overlooking the lake. This connects to the Busch Greenway network and the Katy Trail. read more

Weldon Spring Conservation Area - Hiking Near Me - St. Charles, Missouri

I really enjoyed hiking here. There are two trails to choose from. I chose the Clark Trail which is a little over 5 miles. The Lewis Trail is a little over 8 miles. The trail is well marked and well traveled. The first leg of the trail is relatively easy. This section takes you to the first overlook of the Missouri River; a very scenic spot. The rest of the trail has multiple sections of steeper uphill journeys with some rocks and roots to deal with. I would consider these areas moderately difficult. This is definitely one of the best trails in St. Charles County. read more

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Disclaimer: This review is for the Lewis and Clark trails. The Clark trail is the shorter, more well traveled and better maintained one. The Lewis trail is the longer, less well traveled and barely maintained one. They're actually the same trail for 5 miles or so, the Lewis branches off and adds an extra 3 mile detour. Wear boots with some ankle support if you're doing the Lewis, especially in the fall when the trail is covered in leaves. It's easy to roll your ankle on a tree root you didn't see. Pants are probably a good idea, too. I swear I saw a rattlesnake crossing the trail once. Walking sticks aren't a bad idea. If nothing else, they're handy for dealing with webs if you're the first one on the trail for the day. Depending on which way you're going (clockwise or counter clockwise), there are some rocky descents / ascents. These are fantastic trails, but it's not uncommon to have to step or climb over bits of downed trees across the trail until somebody hauls a chainsaw out to the trouble spot and clears it. Seems like it takes longer on the Lewis side, but there was one big one on the Clark side that was there for several weeks. The overlooks from the bluff on the Lewis side overlook the Katy Trail and are a good spot to stop and have something to eat and drink. Just don't get too close to the edge, there are no railings and it's straight down in some places. There are bits of shortcuts and old sections of trail. Can you find them all and figure out where they go? Dogs are supposed to be leashed, but this is frequently not the case. Usually this is not a problem and the owners re-leash or restrain their animals when passing others...but there's always that one time it is a problem. Be prepared and ready for that time. read more

We hiked the Clark Trail this morning, which was a 5.3 mile loop. There was ample parking at the trailhead but the lot was overflowing by the time we returned to leave. Having said that, the trail itself was mostly quiet and not at all crowded. The trails are well-maintained; although they're mostly dirt, they're not overgrown in any parts. There are also clear side paths that lead to nice overlooks once you approach the river. The trail is also clearly marked. The Lewis and Clark trails both start and end in the same spot, but the Lewis trail forks to the right around mile marker three, which would add an additional three miles to your total hike. The area was beautiful and the hike itself was great: not too strenuous or rocky with enough challenging hills to still make it a solid workout. I'd love to come back and do the full Lewis Trail sometime in the future. read more

We took Clark trail. It was 5.3 miles which took us 2:30 hours. An easy hiking for all ages. There are a few relatively high slope short part, but not anything tough or dangerous. There are a few nice site viewing locations off the trail to the river, just beautiful. If you do in summer, do it the early morning because of obvious reasons. Joyful experience in general! read more

Fantastic hiking trail! For days when you can't commit several hours, this is a great option for a quick out and back hike because the trail is easy to follow and well-maintained. The pup and I only went in a mile or two and it was gorgeous. I can't wait to hike the rest of it. Lots of shade, so this is a nice option for the hotter days of spring and summer. read more

Was in town for work and came here for a trail run. Park was gorgeous with the trees dressed in their fall colors, however, I was not able to get many good views just from the trail. There are some lookout points one could walk down to once the trail is near the lake but I was in a hurry to finish my run before it got dark so didn't have a chance to experience them. There are two loop trails that intertwine: the Lewis Trail (8 miles) and the Clark Trail (5.3 miles). I ran the Lewis Trail. It was mostly flat the entire time with some small sections of more steep ascents/descents. Had a great time. read more

Great trail system right across the river from the Chesterfield Valley. Good trails for every skill level even nice long ones like the Lewis trail. Great scenic overlooks of the Missouri river from the bluffs. Plenty of deer and wildlife to view and fairly well marked trails. We will be back to hike these in the spring and fall as well. read more

Weldon Spring Conservation Area - Clark trail - Hiking Near Me - St. Charles, Missouri

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Did the 5.3 mile hike with the family. The kiddos were tired around mile 4, but they made it! This is a semi-strenuous hike, as a lot of it is uphill. The views are fantastic once you reach the top. There is also an option to take the longer loop, which adds another 3 miles. Plenty of places to stop on the trail and have a snack or take a rest. We will be back! read more

Nice way to spend a morning, glad we went. We didn't realize how long the loop was (8 miles), and that was too far for us. We don't go hiking a lot, but have gone hiking in Maine. Obviously doesn't compare to hiking in Maine but it was worthwhile. Some nice views of the Missouri. I was terrified of the snakes (they were small and we only saw 2). Mostly dirt trails. Lots of up and down. read more