Simpson Park

Meramec River–Unger County Park Beach, 4 sights

6.4 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 2 hr 9 min

Meramec River–Unger County Park Beach, 4 sights is a 6.4-mile out-and-back in Simpson Park near Valley Park, MO. The route passes Meramec River before reaching Unger County Park Beach at the turnaround, 3 miles in. It is mostly level, with 26 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi394 – 440 ft6.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Meramec Greenway 38.54773, -90.49522
Nearest town Valley Park, MO

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Meramec River–Unger County Park Beach, 4 sights

6.4 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 2 hr 9 min

Elevation 392–438 ft

Out & Back · Simpson Park

Trailhead: Meramec Greenway · 38.54773, -90.49522

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:50 AM · sunset 7:02 PM

Transit-accessible: Highway 141 @ I-44 stop 725 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Meramec Greenway, heading SE.
  2. 50 ftPass Meramec River.
  3. 0.3 miContinue straight onto Valley Park Trail, heading E.
  4. 0.2 miBear left, heading SE.
  5. 50 ftTurn right onto Meramec Greenway, heading SE.
  6. 1.2 miTurn right, heading N.
  7. 1.2 miPass Unger County Park Beach.
  8. 0.2 miReach Meramec River, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  9. 2.7 miTurn left, heading W.
  10. 50 ftBear right onto Valley Park Trail, heading W.
  11. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Meramec Greenway, heading NW.
  12. 0.3 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

92% paved6% dirt2% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:50 AMSunset 7:02 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.0 mi in (~24 min). Leave by 6:18 PM for the 7:02 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Highway 141 @ I-44 stop 725 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead