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St. Louis Metro Parks & Nature

Franklin County Parks & Natural Areas

Franklin County, Missouri boasts an impressive variety of parks and natural areas, from serene riverside settings to extensive hiking trails. Notable locations include the scenic Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, known for its expansive trails and diverse habitats, as well as Meramec State Park in Sullivan, a popular spot for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and camping.

The towns of Washington, Sullivan, and Union also offer charming outdoor destinations perfect for exploration. Discover these beautiful areas to find your next hiking spot, picnic retreat, or nature escape.

Discover Nature in Franklin County, MO

Explore Franklin County's parks and natural areas using the interactive map. Each marker reveals details about a specific location. Clicking a marker will show more information about the site, including features, addresses, and descriptions.

Below, you'll find detailed listings for each park or natural area. Click on any photo to view an album of additional images showcasing the beauty of these locations. Plan your next adventure and experience the natural wonders Franklin County has to offer.

Trees reflected in the lake at Gerald City Park in Gerald, MO.

Gerald City Park
680 Bittersweet Dr.
44 acres

Gray Summit

Bald cypress trees around Cypress Lake at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO.

Labadie

A trail in the woods at Engelmlann Woods Natural Area in Labadie, MO.

Robertsville

Clouds over a pond and trees at Robertsville State Park in Robertsville, MO.

Trees over a lake at City Lake Park in Sullivan, MO.

City Lake Park
Mattox Dr.
57 acres
6-acre lake, 3/4-mile walking trail

A trail in the woods at Little Indian Creek Conservation Area in Sullivan, MO.

A trail in the woods at Long Ridge Conservation Area in Sullivan, MO.

Long Ridge Conservation Area
Ridge Rd.
1,812.6 acres
9 miles of trails

A scenic overlook at Meramec Conservation Area in Sullivan, MO.

Meramec Conservation Area
Highway 185
3,879.4 acres
hiking trails, cave, scenic overlooks

A cave in the woods at Meramec State Park in Sullivan, MO.

Meramec State Park
115 Meramec Park Dr.
6,896.33 acres
14.4 miles of trails

The lake at Union City Park in Union, MO.

Union City Park
500 West Park Ave.
6.1 acres
walking trail, 4-acre lake

A trail in the woods at Clark-Vitt Memorial Park in Union, MO.

Clark-Vitt Memorial Park
401 Clark Ave.
13.8 acres
asphalt & natural walking trails

A scenic overlook of trees at Clearview Park in Union, MO.

Clearview Park
1051 Clearview Dr.
22.82 acres
Bourbeuse River overlook, trail

A pond at Veterans Memorial Park in Union, MO.

Veterans Memorial Park
600 Progress Parkway
43.8 acres
.9-mile walking loop, lake

Trees at Crestview Water Tower Park in Washington, MO.

Crestview Water Tower Park
Crestview Dr. & Madison Ave.
.10 acres
native Ozark plant community

A gazebo and bridge by the lake at Bernie E. Hillerman Park in Washington, MO.

Berne E. Hillerman Park
1220 S Lakeshore Dr.
95.6 acres
Lion's Lake, walking trails

A path and trees at Phoenix Park in Washington, MO.

Phoenix Park
1925 Vernaci Dr.
20 acres
walking trails, pond

Winter plants around a shelter at James W. Rennick Riverfront Park in Washington, MO.

James W. Rennick Riverfront Park
1 Elbert Dr.
3 acres
Rotary Riverfront Trails

Plants and trees around a lake at the Miller-Post Nature Reserve in Washington, MO.

Miller-Post Nature Reserve
101 Grand Ave.
67 acres
nature trails, quarry

A trail in the woods at the Schulze Nature Preserve in Washington, MO.

Schulze Nature Preserve
370 M E Frick Rd.
22.67 acres
1.2-mile trail