Russell E Emmenegger Nature Park

Great day at the park with the Midwest Crystal Festival, the park was great and clean. Right next to the river … Very peaceful. Had a fantastic day at this park, Midwest Crystal Festival fantastic.

«Rough in the Diamond»
A-​OK park next to the river with pavilions & dirt trails is what I have really enjoyed.
The location is weird so confusing to find. Once I am there, I hear the highway traffic.
What is great is this this is not for everyone. Not many know or really like this rustic quick getaway with traffic background noises.

This park is tucked away and rather a challenge to find. There are a couple of hiking trails, a pavilion, a bathroom and little else. The roads within in the park need attention. Nice to sit and watch the river flow by.

When asked our favorite season, we respond instantly, followed by our persuasive reasons why. Autumn takes first place with me. I would rather take time off in October than any other part of the year. And when I am free I am outdoors, away from the slow boil of summer.
Emmenegger Nature Park is a delicious little gem located across I-​270 from Powder Valley Nature Center, as the crow flies. It’s saving grace is that it has one way in, it’s a loop trail & it sits a few minutes beyond «easily convenient.» Translation hint: go between 10am & 4pm & you may be nearly alone.
Walking briefly along a paved path (great for strollers, wheelchairs & fragile bones) it turns off to a soft, natural dirt hiking trail as it hugs the edge of the Meramec River. That’s where «easy» ends & «moderate» begins as the trail climbs to skirt along a bluff before winding its way back to the paved path, a quick 1.5 miles. Tennis shoes are fine for most of it but hiking shoes work easier on the rocky, uneven ground.
Although highway traffic is heard it becomes easy to allow the endless murmur to recede into the background as you focus on fresh air, water, hills, rock, forest & foliage. Leave your I-​pod in the car & enjoy nature in this well kept oasis. There is parking, a bulletin board, a bat tower, picnic area & clean restrooms onsite.
Be prepared to be eye level with the Meramec followed by panoramic views stretching far out to the southwest on a clear day. Dogs need to be leashed — there isn’t a lot of room for passing or aggressive displays on a 15 inch trail. You’ll feel a bit winded & refreshed from your all too short visit.

It’s all about the river.
Yep, I like long walks on the beach. err. mean river. Everyone knows of the Mississippi river but thats the dirtiest one! The meramec river is fairly clean if you drive all the way to end of this place, you’ll find a second unmarked parking lot.
Take this and follow the trail to the end. take a break and dip your feet in the river. Bring bug spray (just in case).
Looks like some fishing is in an nearby inland lake. so bring your gear too. I went here after getting some fried chicken at King Edwards since it was off 44.

Such a beautiful park!
Bring your bug spray!
There are picnic tables near the river where you can read and enjoy the peaceful beautiful view!
We enjoyed reading there, even with hearing all the cheering from the Soccer park.
There are bathrooms on location.

Emmenegger is my favorite place to go for a quick after-​work hike.
Here are the reasons why it’s awesome:
–Hills! I get bored with hikes that are all on flat ground.
–Wildlife (while I have not yet seen a beaver at this park, there is much evidence of their presence down by the river… there are also deer and of course tons of birds and squirrels)
–LOCATION. This is the number one draw. It’s a relatively quick drive from my apartment in South City.
–I love that it’s a little oasis that happens to be at the interchange of two major highways. Sitting on top of a hill surrounded by trees watching rush hour traffic is strangely magical!