pickle springs natural area

johnnyd738

This park is free, is a great hour hike and has some splendid scenery. The parking lot is smallish and has a picnic table (1) the trail is well marked. The water is very tasty and refreshing especially in July and is a great place to walk your dog. Be sure to take your own bags for doggie cleanup - none provided. There are NO trash containers along the trail either. Please pack out your trash.

Travelerxpert

This past weekend we had a break in the cold weather. Was around 50-60 degrees. This was perfect because we were able to see ice and waterfalls from the melting ice. Very muddy.Pet Friendly. About a 2.2 mile hike. Perfect for a small hike. Took about 1.5 hours if you don't go on some of the dead end short side trails that lead to benches.Was very beautiful. Beware of mud and wear good boots. Trails are marked well. Some of the trail gets narrow because you are walking through the rock formations. Very neat! Strongly recommend stopping here for a quick and easy hike with cool boulders and rock ledges.

SenoraGilbert

We have been to Pickle Springs many times, and now we have seen the area in all four seasons! I can truly say this is the most rewarding trail I know of, with so many different features packed into two miles, and easily accessible to many different types of walkers/hikers. The first time we came, our son was 7, and my parents are in their 60s; all of us enjoy the hike without too many problems. There are some rocks and roots in the trail, so do be careful, but there are such beautiful rock formations, creeks, springs, caves, waterfalls, and different types of forest along this trail, and all of it in one hour! This is no longer a best-kept secret, so it can be crowded at times. I recommend getting there early!

theREALmle

This is a beautiful and short hike, but very rocky. I don't recommend taking your dogs if they aren't good on leashes, or you may end up tripping and falling. I don't have small children, but if you don't want to carry them, I would pick a different trail...because there are A LOT of rocks. If you like waterfalls, I recommend the short drive to Hickory Canyons. One of the locals told us about this place after we told him we'd been to Pickle Springs and Hahn State Park. The waterfalls are much more impressive and the hike is very easy.

clk215

This is a great hike for kids. At only 2 miles, it has a lot to offer. The trail is very easy to follow, and there are lots of large boulders to climb and play on. There is also some beautiful scenery all throughout the hike and a great view towards the end of the hike.

ERinSTL

This is a gem of nature about 10 miles southeast of Ste Genevieve. It abuts Hawn State Park if you need more miles of trail, but Pickle Springs Natural Area is worth the visit all on its own.The trail is a two-mile loop, wandering through a cornucopia of different microattractions: slot canyons, undercut cliff walls with ferns, lichens, and liverwort, a bluff with a distant view, bridges over Pickle Spring, natural arches. The trail is an easy walk, mostly packed dirt with some areas of exposed tree roots. No steep grades, wading, or even mud on the day we visited.We've been there twice, both times in autumn (last time was Oct 28, 2014). Need to plan a trip for spring when the wildflowers are in bloom; expecting a whole different experience. Combine this with lunch in Ste Genevieve (suggest Stella & Me) for a wonderful day outing.

smccanless1

besides a potty. That is the only thing keeping me from giving it 5 stars. The hike itself couldn't be better. 2 miles with benches, look out points, and amazing scenery. There are huge boulders in the middle of the woods (with beautiful views!), caves, little waterfalls thru-out the hike, and just so much to see. The trees have turned for fall, and it is absolutely gorgeous. Just go potty first!

Beccasnead1983

This was a great hike very net testing area. Had a great time not too long not too short. I liked the trail, I bet it's really pretty in the fall.

935lindar935

We had a three year old and a sixty year old on our 5 person hike. It was a little challenge at times but nothing we couldn't easily over come. The views and picture opportunities were outstanding. Springs had very little water in them, not the wading kind. Its estimated the hike will take one hour, with the three year old it took us one and a half hours, but then we did have to back track a little when we got off the path. Be sure to read the sign when you start so that you are on the right path. There is a picnic table at the end of the trail in the shade which was a welcome place to eat lunch. It is well worth the drive.

jeffreyscottlipp

This is an excellent hiking trail to take your family on. Two mile walking trail. beautiful scenery. great for a weekend afternoon.

MetroEastTraveler

This is one of the greatest hikes in Missouri. The geological features are outstanding. It is worth the drive from St. Louis to spend the day here.

jmjbwolf

This is a really fun hike. It's not marked really well, and we did wander off the path once without realizing it. Lots of ups and downs but beautiful scenery along the way.

kids04

We were in the Ste Genevieve area for the day and decided to get a little exercise on the 2 mile hike called "Trail through time". It was later in March so all the snow had melted which made it easier to see the trail. There are some really neat rock formations and some very pretty views. The park isn't real well marked so pay attention to where you are going or else you can miss it. It's off of Highway 32 on Dorlac Road.

C0untryfan

Beautiful, filled with the sounds of the racing stream next to you as the water jumps from rock to rock. This was my first spring outing--saw the temp was going to be 70 and drive down from St. Louis to take advantage of a day hike. Very doable. I'm 61 and made it, but it was a rigorous effort in places....VERY rocky trail, maybe because it's early spring. Couldn't have made it without my sturdy hiking boots. Very worth the effort.

doreenk962

While the trail would benefit from markers, the sole 2-mile loop is fairly easy to navigate in the sense that you never risk stumbling onto another trail. Fantastic scenery and bluffs. Some challenging spots for the more physically impaired, but definitely worth the hour or so it takes to hike. Stunning!