Route 66 State Park sits along the Meramec River in St. Louis County, Missouri, offering 418.61 acres of green space where America’s most iconic highway once carried travelers west. The park occupies the site of the former Times Beach community, which was demolished in the 1980s after environmental contamination — a chapter that makes its rebirth as a thriving natural area all the more remarkable.

The park’s visitor center, housed in a restored 1935 roadhouse that once served Route 66 motorists, anchors the experience. Inside, exhibits trace the highway’s history and the area’s dramatic transformation. Outside, paved and natural-surface trails wind through bottomland forest and along the river, welcoming hikers, joggers, and cyclists. The Meramec River frontage makes this a solid spot for fishing — catfish and bass are common catches — and a boat launch provides easy water access for canoes and kayaks.

Picnic shelters scattered throughout the park work well for family gatherings, and birders will find the riverside habitat productive, especially during spring and fall migration. The relatively flat terrain keeps trails accessible for most fitness levels.

Spring and fall deliver the most comfortable conditions, with mild temperatures and vibrant foliage in October. Summer brings humidity typical of the St. Louis metro area, though river breezes help. Winter visits are quieter but still worthwhile for trail walks.

Located just 30 minutes southwest of downtown St. Louis off Interstate 44, Route 66 State Park makes an easy day trip for anyone exploring Missouri’s connection to the Mother Road.