6 Outdoor Autumn Activities in and
around St. Louis
With cooler days, colourful
landscapes and plenty of reasons to head outdoors, autumn is the perfect time
to explore St. Louis and beyond. From spotting wildlife and hiking scenic
trails to picking apples, exploring wine country and paddling along the region’s
waterways, memorable adventures are closer than you might think. Discover six
exciting outdoor experiences, all within a 1.5-hour drive of St. Louis.
Howl with the Wolves at the
Endangered Wolf Center (Eureka, Missouri)
For an autumn outing beyond the
usual hike or pumpkin patch, head to the Endangered Wolf Center in
Eureka, home to some of the world’s most endangered wolves and wild canids.
Meet the residents on the 90-minute Endangered
Species Tour, featuring a guided walk through the animal habitats. For a
closer look, book an Enrichment
Experience to see the animals interact with treats and scents that
encourage natural behaviours. Don’t miss the Evening Wolf
Howl, where visitors gather to learn about wolf communication before
heading towards the habitats to howl into the night and await the wolves’
response.
Pick Your Own Apples and Pumpkins
at Eckert’s Farm (Belleville, Illinois)
Embrace one of America’s favourite
autumn traditions with a trip to Eckert’s Belleville Farm.
Head into the orchards to pick your own apples, while pumpkin picking reopens
from mid-September – perfect for finding one to take home ahead of Halloween.
As evening falls, experience Jack’s
Lighted Trail, where a glowing trail winds through towering corn stalks
amongst illuminated pumpkins and larger-than-life displays, with seasonal
treats and drinks at the Spook-Easy bar.
Spend an Autumnal Day in Augusta
Wine Country (Augusta, Missouri) and St. Louis Renaissance Festival
(Wentzville, Missouri)
Rolling hills, vineyards and
colourful countryside make Augusta an idyllic autumn escape. Around an hour
from central St. Louis, visit Augusta
Winery to sample award-winning wines with a Core or Premium tasting, before
relaxing in the Wine & Beer Garden with a glass of wine or local beer and
live weekend music. Pair your wine-country escape with the St. Louis Renaissance Festival at
Rotary Park, around a 35-minute drive from Augusta. Step back in time with live
entertainment and artisan stalls, or book Brunch at the Joust for a
front-row view of the action with a turkey leg lunch and sparkling wine. Other
experiences include a Hawk Walk and mead tasting, making it easy to turn the
two stops into a full autumn day out.
Hike or Bike Castlewood State Park
(Ballwin, Missouri)
Lace up your walking boots and
experience autumn at Castlewood State Park. Follow the 3.4-mile River Scene
Trail up to the bluffs for panoramic views over the Meramec River valley,
before descending through woodland to the river’s edge. Alternatively, with
Castlewood being one of the St. Louis area’s top mountain-biking destinations,
explore the varying levels of trails by bike. Try the 1.7-mile Lone Wolf Trail for
rugged terrain and river views, or tackle the 4.4-mile Grotpeter
Trail through wooded hills and ridges.
Go Elk Spotting at Lone Elk Park
(Valley Park, Missouri)
Take a walk on the wild side at Lone
Elk Park, where elk, bison, deer and other wildlife roam across more than
500 acres of woodland and open countryside. Follow the scenic driving route
through the park for the best chance to spot elk, keeping an eye on the open
grasslands and woodland edges. Continue the adventure on foot along the park’s
hiking trails, winding through the woodland landscape and around the Lone Elk
Reservoir to enjoy the colourful autumn surroundings.
Browse Kirkwood Farmers’ Market
(Kirkwood, Missouri) and Brave Halloween Nights at Grant’s Farm (St. Louis,
Missouri)
Start the day at Kirkwood Farmers’ Market,
where autumn brings more than 30 varieties of pumpkins alongside fresh produce,
colourful mums, baked goods, sweets and seasonal decorations, perfect for
picking up a few autumn treats or decorating the front porch. Then, make a
15-minute drive to Grant’s Farm, where Halloween
Nights transforms the farm after dark. Hop aboard the Haunted Tram Ride
through Halloween lights, spooky scenes and live actors, before catching a
Halloween-themed show and joining the Monster Mash dance party to get you in
the spooky spirit.