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Castlewood State Park 

The trails can be simplified roughly into two categories: the easier, flat trails along the river bottom such as the River Scene, and Stinging Nettle; and the more advanced, technical ones in the higher areas including Cedar Bluff, Lone Wolf, the Rollercoaster and Grotpeter.  There are several shorter trails- Mountain Ridge Connector, Ranger Station, and Justin's, which link parts of the main trails. If you're unfamiliar with the park, a map will be very helpful.

Trails along the river bottom are fairly slow to dry, while the higher, rockier ones are more durable and dry more quickly. It would be wise to avoid most of the trails after rain, but this park sees such a high volume of trail use that there is generally always someone out on the trails, no matter the conditions.

Castlewood is one of the busiest, and most popular parks in the area, so you might find yourself sharing the trails with families out for a picnic, hikers, birdwatchers, runners, equestrians, or cross-country mountain bike racers. Be extra careful on nice weekend days, as the park will most likely be extremely busy.


Castlewood is outside St. Louis near Ballwin, along Kiefer Creek Road. Take Hwy 141, Meramec Station Road,  until Big Bend exit. Turn west onto Big Bend. Big Bend turns into Oak Street. Turn left at Ries Road. Go over the hill and turn left at the Castlewood sign. castlewood entrance castlewood - lone wolf oct 2012



Castlewood State Park (Off Site)


Ryan Overhoff




Around 17 miles






 From szelinsky on Mon, 12/17/2018 - 7:07pm - Castlewood State Park (St. Louis Area)
Rode the Grotpeter, Roller Coaster, and Ranger Station trails and all were in descent shape. A few wet spots as expected. Did not ride the trails near the river or the Lone Wolf.
From ABoston on Sun, 12/09/2018 - 2:46pm - Castlewood State Park (St. Louis Area)
Road around 11-12. Lone wolf was fine, Grotpeter was beginning to thaw and turn muddy on some spots, lower trails were pretty soaked. Avoid em to avoid leaving grooves.
From smdods on Fri, 12/07/2018 - 7:04pm - Castlewood State Park (St. Louis Area)
Super muddy on Grotpeter. Didn't even try rollercoaster. The top was more muddy that the bottom for once.
From szelinsky on Sun, 12/02/2018 - 2:00pm - Castlewood State Park (St. Louis Area)
Road all the trails in the park - Ranger Station, Roller Coaster, Grotpeter, and Lone Wolf.. all in good shape. A few wet spots as can be expected ... I did NOT the trails by the river connecting to Cedar Bluff and Sherman Beach.
From mike on Thu, 11/29/2018 - 5:40pm - Castlewood State Park (St. Louis Area)
Still pretty soggy. Avoid.
From Angela78 on Thu, 11/22/2018 - 9:24pm - Castlewood State Park (St. Louis Area)
Not too bad today. Warmed up on the flats and they are obviously a little muddy in spots but the upper trails are good. Had a great day and the trails should get better if the rain holds off











