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Park Trails

at Route 66 State Park

Inner Loop Trail

  • Accessible
  • Bicycling/Mountain Biking
  • Hiking
  • Horseback Riding

Length: 2 Miles View map

A portion of this trail is shared with two-way traffic. The majority of the trail is the designated outer shoulders of a one-way loop road. Following the trail counter-clockwise from the trailhead, there is a small wetland on the right. Across from the wetland is the Town Mound, where the physical remains of the structures of Times Beach are buried.  Past the Town Mound, on the right, is the entrance to the picnic and shelter areas and the playground. The trail makes a short curve to the south, and then the west, through a wooded area and passing another small wetland area, and then the trail curves again to the south. The trail passes an open area and a small pond. The trail again curves to the west, past a small wetland full of cattails, with a large open area to the right. The trail precedes west toward the railroad tracks and intersects with Outer Loop Trail here. Inner Loop Trail makes a left (south) along the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks, and proceeds until it makes a left heading east by the gate to the trail connection to Kircher Park in Eureka. The trail proceeds east parallel to Interstate 44 finally finishing the 2 mile loop back at the main parking lot.

Length Estimated Hiking Time Type Blazes Trailhead
2 Miles 1 hour Loop Red

At the main parking lot

Outer Loop Trail

  • Bicycling/Mountain Biking
  • Hiking
  • Horseback Riding

Length: 3.25 Miles View map

This trail travels the outer borders of the park north of Interstate 44. Historically, the trail follows the paths of the former Times Beach streets of Riverside, Lincoln and Blakey.  A small portion of the trail near the main parking lot lies on the famous Route 66. Parking, a non-flush toilet, an informational bulletin board, and benches can be found at the main parking lot. The trail initially parallels the I-44 bridges for a short distance and then curves to the left. Continuing ahead is a flat tree-lined walk, offering serene glimpses of the Meramec River and surrounding bluffs for more than one mile of its length. Several benches are located along this stretch for your convenience. In the northwest corner of the park, the Burlington Northern Railroad bridge, which crosses the Meramec River, can be seen. The trail turns to the left, and lies parallel to the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks on the right. A wetland is located to the left of the trail. Past the wetland area is a wooded area to the left of the trail and further down the trail is a small pond. The landscape then becomes more open to the left of the trail. At the wooden trail gate, Outer Loop Trail intersects with Inner Loop Trail. Outer Loop Trail continues straight ahead (south) at this point and then curves to the left. Just past the curve, the access gate to the trail connection to Kircher Park in Eureka will be to the right, along with a bench.  The trail parallels Interstate 44, on the right, back to the main parking lot. 

Length Estimated Hiking Time Type Blazes Trailhead
3.25 Miles 1 hour, 30 minutes Loop Green

Off main parking lot, follow trail route counter-clockwise, at stop sign, make a left and another left on next road, go under bridge, trailhead on left

South Loop Trail

  • Bicycling/Mountain Biking
  • Hiking
  • Horseback Riding

Length: 1.5 Miles View map

This is the only trail found in Route 66 State Park on the south side of Interstate 44.  Following the trail counter-clockwise from the trailhead, the first .6-mile of the trail is paved and is the old South Outer Road that once served as an access to Times Beach and is now the main entrance road into the park. For this part of the trail, there is a wooded view to the left and the noise and embankment of Interstate 44 to the right. The trail then turns to the left (south) onto a natural surface. A short distance ahead the trail curves back to the east. From this point the trail parallels closely to the park boundary (boundary signs are posted). To the right beyond the park boundary are large open fields, and to the left a small wooded area inside the loop of the trail. Ahead the view changes to wooded on both sides of the trail. The trail continues with the view changing to fields on the south. The trail continues past the Equestrian Trailhead parking area on the left, then winds past the boat ramp area on the right, and ends back at the trailhead. 

Length Estimated Hiking Time Type Blazes Trailhead
1.5 Miles 1 hour, 10 minutes Loop Blue

Equestrian Trailhead parking area

"W" Trail

  • Bicycling/Mountain Biking
  • Hiking
  • Horseback Riding

Length: .50 Mile View map

This trail goes through a wooded section of the park. The west end of the trail can be accessed at the trailhead, where there is a small four-vehicle parking lot and a picnic table. The east end of the trail can be accessed by parking at the main parking lot and walking a short distance west on Inner Loop Trail. The main parking lot offers an information board and a non-flush restroom. Remnants of Times Beach can be seen along this trail, including a capped off monitoring well and the “Town Mound,” where the remains of the physical structures of Times Beach are buried.

Length Estimated Hiking Time Type Blazes Trailhead
.50 Mile 25 minutes Linear Yellow