Field guide
Running routes and trails in St. Louis for visitors
Find running routes in St. Louis at Forest Park, Tower Grove Park, Gateway Arch, and Grant's Trail. This guide details path lengths and surfaces.
St. Louis provides several distinct areas for running and walking. Visitors can choose from a large park with a dedicated recreational path, a long greenway built on a former rail line, or paved trails in city and national parks.
For longer distances, Grant's Trail is an 11.47-mile paved path. Forest Park contains a 6-mile loop, while Tower Grove Park has seven miles of trails. Gateway Arch National Park offers over five miles of paths in the downtown area.
| Place | Distance (official) | Hours | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Park | 6-mile | Not listed | Hard and soft surface; For walkers, joggers, and slower visitors |
| Tower Grove Park | Not listed | Not listed | Well-maintained |
| Gateway Arch National Park | Not listed | Year Round; Any Time | wide concrete paths with gentle slopes |
| Grant's Trail | 11.47 Miles | Not listed | Paved trail |
Forest Park
This 1,300-acre park has a 6-mile Dual Recreational Pathway. The path system has two surfaces: a soft surface for walkers and joggers, and a hard surface for users on wheels like bikes or roller skates. The speed limit is 15 mph or less.
Users should stay on the right and announce their presence when passing on the left. Dogs are required to be on leashes. The Visitor Center has drinking water and two free parking lots.
- Park size
- 1,300 acres
- Visitor Center Address
- 5595 Grand Dr., St. Louis, MO 63112
- Dual Recreational Pathway length
- 6-mile
- Dual Recreational Pathway surface
- Hard and soft surface
- Soft surface path use
- For walkers, joggers, and slower visitors
- Hard surface path use
- For those on wheels (bikes, wheelchairs, roller skates or blades)
- Visitor Center hours
- Open seven days a week
- Parking at Visitor Center
- Two free parking lots
Sources: Park Navigation (forestparkforever.org), Dual Path (forestparkforever.org), Why I Run Forest Park (forestparkforever.org). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Full notes: Forest Park St Louis hours and trail information
Tower Grove Park
This 289-acre public park and arboretum in St. Louis city contains seven miles of well-maintained trails for running or walking. The park has approximately 7,000 trees.
A free water fountain is available for use. The park is a Level II Accredited Arboretum.
- Park type
- Public park and arboretum
- Park size
- 289 acres
- Arboretum accreditation
- Level II Accredited Arboretum
- City location
- St. Louis city
- Running/walking trails length
- Seven miles
- Trails condition
- Well-maintained
- Water features
- Free Muckerman Fountain and splash pad
- Number of trees
- Approximately 7,000 trees of about 340 types
Sources: Tower Grove Park (towergrovepark.org), About the Park (towergrovepark.org). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Gateway Arch National Park
Located in downtown St. Louis, this park has over five miles of wide concrete paths with gentle slopes. It is open year round at any time, and there is no activity fee or reservation requirement for using the grounds. Benches are available throughout the park.
For a stair workout, the Grand Staircase has about 65 steps with hand railings. The park grounds connect to other downtown spaces like Kiener Plaza and Citygarden.
- Park location
- downtown St. Louis, Missouri
- Location of 'Carve Your Own Path' activity
- Around the Park Grounds and into the city
- Paved trails length
- over five miles
- Path surface
- wide concrete paths with gentle slopes
- Path difficulty
- gentle slopes
- Season
- Year Round
- Time of day
- Any Time
- Reservations required
- No
Sources: Carve Your Own Path (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov), Maps (nps.gov), Rise to the West (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Full notes: Gateway Arch National Park parking and running guide
Grant's Trail
Grant's Trail is a mostly flat and sunny paved greenway that is 11.47 miles long. This trail was formerly a rail line and provides a continuous connection between Kirkwood and the River des Peres Greenway.
Restrooms and water fountains are available directly on the trail. The trail provides direct access to several historic sites and parks, including Grant's Farm. Parking is available at several locations along the route.
- Trail description
- Mostly flat and sunny greenway
- Former use
- Formerly a rail line
- Trail connection points
- Continuous connection between Kirkwood at Holmes and Leffingwell all the way to the River des Peres Greenway just south of Interstate 55
- Total trail length
- 11.47 Miles
- Trail surface
- Paved trail
- Grant's Farm admission
- Free if accessed by bike or walk via Grant's Trail
- Parking availability
- Available at several locations
- Parking at Bayless and Tesson Street
- No parking
Sources: greatriversgreenway.org (greatriversgreenway.org), Gravois Greenway Plan (greatriversgreenway.org). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Full notes: Grant's Trail parking and runner's guide
Before you go
- Check the hours of park facilities like visitor centers before planning an early run. The Forest Park Visitor Center is open seven days a week.
- Be aware of path etiquette. In Forest Park, stay to the right, pass on the left, and use the correct surface for your activity.
- Water is available at some locations, including the Forest Park Visitor Center, Tower Grove Park, and directly on Grant's Trail.
- Free parking is available at some trailheads and parks. Forest Park has two lots at its visitor center, and Grant's Trail has parking at several access points.
- Dogs are permitted in some parks but must be on a leash per city ordinance.
- Rules and hours for Grant's Trail are set by different municipalities, so check for any specific guidelines before you go.
More cities: City running and hiking guides.