The best walks and hikes around East St. Louis

Yes, the region has many options suitable for families. For an easy, paved walk with iconic views, the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial loop within Gateway Arch National Park is a great choice. For a different experience, Laumeier Sculpture Park offers a unique combination of art and nature on its trails, which is often a hit with children.

Many parks in the greater St. Louis area are dog-friendly, but policies can vary, so it's always best to check park-specific rules. Castlewood State Park is a popular destination for hikers with dogs, offering numerous trails where leashed pets are welcome. Similarly, Bee Tree County Park is another highly-regarded spot where you can enjoy scenic trails with your canine companion.

The area is well-suited for beginners, with 25 easy-rated routes available. A great starting point is the Gateway Arch National Park loop from Convention Center, which is mostly flat and paved. For a more natural setting, the trails at Cliff Cave County Park are well-maintained and offer beautiful river views without being overly strenuous.

Absolutely. The East St. Louis Heritage Trail is a paved, shared-use path built on a former railroad line, perfect for a walk or run. Additionally, the Madison County Transit (MCT) Trails offer an extensive network of paved paths throughout the Metro East, including the MCT Schoolhouse Trail.

For stunning views of the Mississippi River and surrounding bluffs, head to Pere Marquette State Park in Illinois. On the Missouri side, the River Scene Trail in Castlewood State Park is famous for its rewarding clifftop vistas. For a unique urban panorama, Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park in Illinois provides an excellent viewpoint of the Gateway Arch and the St. Louis skyline.

Hiking directly in East St. Louis is limited to urban paths like the Heritage Trail. The real variety comes from the surrounding Metro East area in Illinois and across the river in Missouri. The Illinois side offers extensive rail-trails and large state parks like Pere Marquette. The Missouri side, particularly around St. Louis, is known for more rugged and hilly terrain in popular destinations like Castlewood State Park and the Lewis & Clark Trails.

There are over 30 hiking routes to explore in and around East St. Louis. These range from easy, paved urban trails to more moderate hikes in the surrounding state parks and nature preserves, offering plenty of options for different skill levels.

While the immediate East St. Louis area is not known for significant waterfalls, you can find them if you're willing to travel a bit further. For a truly unique water feature, Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, located about an hour and a half south in Missouri, is famous for its natural waterslides and pools carved into ancient rock.

The hiking routes around East St. Louis are very highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 5.0 stars. Hikers often praise the variety of trails, from the scenic riverfront paths in parks like Bee Tree County Park to the well-maintained and accessible trails within Gateway Arch National Park.

While most trails in the immediate vicinity are easy to moderate, you can find more challenging hikes nearby. Castlewood State Park in Missouri is renowned for its rugged, hilly trails that are popular with both hikers and mountain bikers. For a tough workout with rewarding views, the Lewis & Clark Trails on the Missouri side are also highly recommended.

For incredible geology, two state parks in Missouri are standout destinations. Elephant Rocks State Park features giant, billion-year-old granite boulders that you can climb on and explore. A bit further south, the Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest (Illinois) offers breathtaking views of unique sandstone rock formations.