Al Foster Trail

The trail can be accessed from multiple points. A common starting point is near the entrance to Sherman Beach County Park in Wildwood, Missouri. There are designated parking areas available there.

Yes, the Al Foster Trail is generally dog-friendly. However, please ensure your dog is kept on a leash at all times and that you clean up after them to maintain the trail's cleanliness for all users.

The trail offers beautiful scenery year-round. Spring is lovely with wildflowers, and fall provides stunning foliage. Summer offers ample shade from the trees, while winter can be peaceful, though some sections might be muddier. Consider visiting during spring or fall for the most picturesque experience.

No, there are no permits or entrance fees required to access the Al Foster Trail or Sherman Beach County Park. It is free for public use.

The trail is primarily an 8-foot wide crushed limestone path, making it mostly flat and wide. However, as it approaches or enters Castlewood State Park, some sections can transition to natural surfaces, becoming muddier, rockier, and rootier. There's also a paved detour option in the Rock Hollow section.

You'll enjoy picturesque views of the Meramec River and surrounding limestone bluffs, especially from viewpoints like Best view of river valley high above Al Foster Trail. The path winds through forested bottomlands, offering shade. You might also spot historical remnants from its railroad past, including an old gravel plant with a sunken barge in the river. Don't miss the Sherman Anchors.

Yes, the Al Foster Trail is a central recreational artery, connecting to numerous other trails and parks. The route itself follows the Meremec Greenway for its entire length and also passes through sections of the Al Foster Trail, Western Greenway, and Zombie Trail West. It also links to Castlewood State Park, Sherman Beach County Park, the Hamilton Carr Trail, Bluff View Trail, Rock Hollow Trail, and Stinging Nettle Trail.

This specific route, which is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) long, typically takes around 1 hour to complete at a moderate hiking pace.

Yes, due to its largely flat and wide crushed limestone surface, the Al Foster Trail is considered very family-friendly and suitable for children. The minimal elevation change makes it an easy and enjoyable outing for all ages.

While mostly easy, be aware that sections closer to Castlewood State Park can become more natural, potentially muddier or rockier. If you prefer a consistently smooth surface, there's a paved detour available in the Rock Hollow section. For a unique experience, check out the nearby Wabash, Frisco and Pacific miniature railroad, which offers train rides on warmer weekends.

The Al Foster Trail is a "Rails-to-Trails" conversion, built on the bed of the old Pacific Railroad, which was the first railroad to extend west of St. Louis in 1851. It's named in honor of Al Foster, a 20th-century journalist and historian dedicated to preserving the Meramec River.