Top 12 Paved Trails!

There are so many great paved trails in and around St. Louis! The Great River Greenways trail system has over 135 miles (and counting). All of the paved trails in this article are one of these greenways! They run in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County.

Here are our favorite paved trails & where I park:

1.) Mississippi Greenway (Cliff Cave)

Address: 806 Cliff Cave Rd, St. Louis, MO 63129

I park in the lower parking lot by the pavilion. The trail goes along the Mississippi River for a little bit and then goes up the hill to Cliff Cave! There is also a bridge further on the trail that leads to a beautiful overlook.

2.) Mississippi Greenway (Jefferson Barracks)

Address: 490 Bagby Rd, St. Louis, MO 63125

I park by the Missouri Military Memorial and walk on the trail just behind it.

The trail crosses a bridge and parallels the Mississippi River until you walk behind the casino. We love to watch the barges here. This is also the closest I have ever been to an eagle!! It was on a tree branch right next to the greenway.

3.) Mississippi Greenway (Gateway Arch)

I like to park at the Stadium East Parking Garage at 200 S Broadway, St. Louis. It is a discounted rate of $10 for the first five hours.

There are 5 miles of paved trails on the Arch grounds. My favorite area is the Explorer’s Garden, which is North of the Arch! It is so peaceful here.

4.) Mississippi Greenway (Old Chain of Rocks Bridge)

I park on the Missouri side at the new Chain of Rocks Park.

Address: 10820 Riverview Dr, St. Louis, MO 63137

There are restrooms, a parking lot and more security added here with the renovation. I love walking this trail in the winter because of watching the bald eagles! The rocks below the bridge (where the term “Chain of Rocks” comes from) stun the fish as they swim by. This makes for a quick and easy meal for eagles!

5.) Meramec Greenway (Across from Simpson Lake)

Address: 1235 Marshall Rd, Valley Park, MO 63088

I park here across from Simpson Lake. The paved trail has river views along the way! It is worth it to cross the street and walk along Simpson Lake too! Simpson Lake has a flat, paved trail and a playground.

6.) Fee Fee Greenway (Creve Coeur Lake Park)

My favorite spot to park is at the Taco Bell shelter so I can walk by the Dripping Springs waterfall before walking around the lake.

Address: 13450 Marine Ave, St. Louis, MO 63146

7.) Meramec Greenway (Rock Hollow Trail)

I park in the parking lot at Ridge Meadows Elementary School. The trailhead is just south of the school! This paved trail also connects to Al Foster trail, another one of my favorites.

Address: 777 Ridge Rd, Ellisville, MO 63021

8.) Boschert Greenway (Near Fox Hill Park)

I park at Fox Hill Park (3400 Kister Dr, St Charles, MO 63301), we play at the renovated playground and then walk along the storybook walk on the greenway!