Bee Tree County Park

Bee Tree County Park is one of the most underrated family destinations in all of St. Louis County — a 120-acre nature park tucked into the bluffs of south St. Louis that has wooded hiking trails, seasonal creek crossings, and one of the most unexpected payoffs in the county: access to the Mississippi River at the bottom of the trail system.

This is not a manicured, paved-path kind of park. Bee Tree is a genuine natural space with natural-surface trails that wind through dense hardwood forest, down hillsides, across creek crossings, and eventually to the river. Kids who visit here get muddy. They splash through creek water. They spot deer and wild turkey on the hillsides. They feel like actual explorers, not park visitors.

For older toddlers who can walk a moderate trail distance (1-2 miles), this park is magical. For elementary kids and tweens, it's an adventure park without any of the admission fees. The spring wildflower bloom on the hillside trails is genuinely spectacular — if you have kids who are curious about the natural world, early May is a peak time to visit.

Practical notes: trails are natural surface, making strollers very difficult on most routes. A good carrier is the better option for younger toddlers. Bring old shoes for creek crossings — kids will not avoid the water and you shouldn't expect them to. Bug spray is essential from May through September.

There are picnic areas near the entrance, and the park is completely free. Pack a full picnic and plan for 2-3 hours for a proper exploration. The Mississippi River access at the bottom of the main trail is a genuinely spectacular destination — wide, wild river views that kids (and adults) find unexpectedly powerful.