Castlewood State Park, Missouri
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Castlewood State Park, Missouri

Castlewood State Park covers 1,818 acres in Ballwin, MO, about 1.6 miles off the old road, and reaches across both banks of the Meramec in St. Louis County. It has been a Missouri state park since 1974. For a Route 66 traveller leaving the city, it offers river scenery and room to stretch out, with restrooms and parking on site and wildlife centers close by.

What is Castlewood State Park?

The park splits into two parts on either side of the river, and because the Meramec runs through the middle, each half has its own way in. The busier section is on the north bank, where most visitors arrive. The land south of the Meramec is reached through Lone Elk County Park, and the World Bird Sanctuary sits on that side.

Visiting Castlewood State Park: tips

Most people will want the north side; the World Bird Sanctuary on the south side is a separate trip by way of Lone Elk County Park, so check which half you are heading to before setting the GPS. Restrooms and parking are there, there is wheelchair access, and it works well for children. Allow a couple of hours if you want to walk by the river. Forest 44 Conservation Area is about 2 miles away, and the Endangered Wolf Center about 2.5 miles. Route 66 State Park is about 4.1 miles off, so the two make an easy pairing on the same drive.

Practical info

Address
1401 Kiefer Creek Rd, Ballwin, MO 63021
Hours
We have no opening hours for this stop yet — check the official site.
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

Where to eat near Castlewood State Park

All diners on Route 66 →
  • Ted Drewes in St. Louis, MO
    Diner & restaurant

    Ted Drewes

    St. Louis, MO · 12.9 mi from Castlewood State Park

    A family-run St. Louis frozen custard stand from 1929, known for concretes served upside down.

On the map

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Castlewood State Park with the 6 closest stops and a place to eat (fork and knife). Tap a marker for details.

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Stops near Castlewood State Park

All of Missouri
Forest 44 Conservation Area in Morschels, MO

Forest 44 Conservation Area

Morschels, Missouri · 0.4 mi from Route 66

Nearly a thousand wooded acres beside Interstate 44, with miles of trails for hikers and riders.

Nature & parksPhoto credit

2.0 mi from Castlewood State Park

Endangered Wolf Center in Eureka, MO

Endangered Wolf Center

Eureka, Missouri · 0.1 mi from Route 66

A wolf conservation center founded by Marlin Perkins, where rare wolves are bred for return to the wild.

Nature & parksPhoto credit

2.5 mi from Castlewood State Park

Route 66 State Park near St. Louis, MO

Route 66 State Park

St. Louis, Missouri · 0.1 mi from Route 66

A riverside park on the site of the lost town of Times Beach, named for the old highway.

Nature & parksPhoto credit

4.1 mi from Castlewood State Park

Times Beach, Missouri

Times Beach

Times Beach, Missouri · 0.4 mi from Route 66

A Route 66 town emptied by dioxin in 1983, its land now a state park that remembers the old road.

Ghost townPhoto credit

4.4 mi from Castlewood State Park

National Museum of Transportation in St. Louis, MO

National Museum of Transportation

St. Louis, Missouri · 2.0 mi from Route 66

Big locomotives, vintage cars and aircraft on 42 acres, plus a railroad tunnel dug in 1853.

MuseumPhoto credit

4.5 mi from Castlewood State Park

Mid America Adventure in Eureka, MO

Mid America Adventure

Eureka, Missouri · 0.5 mi from Route 66

An amusement park opened by Six Flags in 1971, now run under a new name by Enchanted Parks.

Art & landmarksPhoto credit

7.7 mi from Castlewood State Park

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