Explore an STL gem: Cliff Cave Park
Watching the Mighty Mississippi roll by on a sunny winter’s day.
A favorite local outing for the Super Cool Van Trips crew is Cliff Cave Park in Oakville, Missouri (a suburb of Saint Louis). Because every time we go, it’s a different experience from the last.
A different season. A different wildlife sighting. A different path taken.
We thought we’d share a little about the park so you can enjoy it, too.
Cliff Cave Park
806 Cliff Cave Road
Oakville, MO 63129
Saint Louis County
Entry fee
None.
Parking
Two lots, both free to use.
Who will love it
Walkers, hikers, birdwatchers, families with young children, dogs, wildlife lovers, river enthusiasts, historians, horseback riders, mountain bikers and road cyclists — anyone really, of any age.
Types of trails
The 525-acre park has more than 10 miles of walking paths (paved) and hiking trails (natural surface).
A paved walking path winds along the Mississippi River as the sun shines through the leafless trees in winter.
Natural highlights
Woodlands, wetlands, a limestone bluff, a cave, streams, the Mississippi River.
Manmade highlights
Blufftop overlook, train tracks.
When to visit
Anytime between dawn (30 minutes before sunrise) and dusk (30 minutes after sunset).
Any season. Just be cautious during flood, ice or snow conditions or during extreme heat. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen in the summer — the trails alternate between shaded and exposed.
(We prefer mid-morning in the spring, fall and winter to avoid the summer heat and bugs.)
Cliff Cave Park is a great place for watching barges and tugboats traverse the Mississippi River.
5 tips for enjoying Cliff Cave Park
Park in the upper lot for an easy walk to the Mississippi River Overlook
Partly paved and partly gravel, the upper lot is at England Town Road and Cliff Cave Road. There are restrooms with flushing toilets (typically open year-round), as well as water fountains.
This is a great place to park for a short walk to the Mississippi River Overlook. From the restrooms to the overlook is about 0.3 mile (one way) on a wide, mostly flat paved path.Park in the lower lot to see the Mississippi River up close
The lower lot, fully paved, is down the hill from the upper lot, at the end of Cliff Cave Road. There’s a large picnic pavilion, water fountains and composting toilets, which are typically closed in the winter.
Park here for an easy 0.5-mile stroll on a paved loop through the woods and along the Mississippi River. This is a mostly flat walk north of the parking lot.
Or, extend your walk another 4.2 miles south of the parking lot to see wetlands.Take to the woods
There’s no need to stay on paved paths. Cliff Cave Park also has natural surface trails for the hiking-inclined. Or, bring your horses or mountain bikes to enjoy the trails.Keep an eye out for wildlife — on the trail, in the woods, even in the sky
We’ve seen several deer, an owl, a bald eagle, squirrels and a snake on our various visits.Don’t expect (or try) to go in the cave
Yes, the park is named for a cave, which Native Americans, French fur trappers and 19th century wine makers all made use of.
Today, however, the cave is closed to humans. That’s to protect the many bat species who live there, two of which are on the federal endangered species list: the Gray Bat and Indiana Bat.
You can park in either parking lot to get a glimpse of the outside of the cave. There’s a paved, sloped path the connects the two lots and takes you past the cave. You can also go off-path and take a closer look at the cave’s entrance.
A woman walks her dog to take a closer look at the limestone cave at Cliff Cave Park in early spring.
Cliff Cave truly is a choose-your-own-adventure park that just about anyone can enjoy. You can keep your feet moving or just sit and enjoy the river. It’s up to you.
Grab a sip or a bite
After (or before) you’ve fed your sense of adventure and nature worship at Cliff Cave Park, you can feed your belly, too. Strip malls abound near the park, for better or worse.
Cellar House
Best for dinner and drinks.
5634 Telegraph Road
Saint Louis, MO 63129
First Watch
Best for breakfast and brunch.
5646 Telegraph Road
Saint Louis, MO 63129
Honey Bee Tea
Best for tea, boba and coffee.
5658a Telegraph Road
Saint Louis, MO 63129
Oberweis Ice Cream
Best for ice cream, shakes and other cold treats.
4590 Telegraph Road
Saint Louis, MO 63129
St. Louis Bread Company
Best for pastries, sandwiches, soups, coffee and tea.
(Most locations are now called Panera Bread, but this one still has the chain’s original name)
5696 Telegraph Road
Saint Louis, MO 63129
Starbucks
Best for (do we even need to say it?) breakfast, lunch, pastries, snacks, coffee and tea.
5620 Telegraph Road
Saint Louis, MO 63129
The upper parking lot has both human- and dog-height water fountains.
However you plan your day at Cliff Cave Park, remember to be a respectful visitor. Keep your dogs on a leash and pick up after them. Clean up any trash. Stay off the bluff and out of the cave. And, out of the river, too — it’s not a place for swimming, although you can fish from the banks.
Now, go forth and enjoy some time in nature. And, tell us about your experience at Cliff Cave Park over on Instagram. We’d love to hear from you.