Wildwood: Route 66, Nature Trails and Local History

Wildwood combines the history of Route 66 with a varied landscape of dense forests, gentle hills, beautiful valleys, lush meadows and clear streams. For planning your trip, this creates an interesting mix: You can explore the development of the town, choose paved trails or plan longer nature experiences. When looking for a holiday apartment in Wildwood, the main consideration is therefore which of these aspects you want to shape your stay.

Route 66 and Historical Traces

A defining part of the town’s history is historic Route 66, now called Manchester Road. It runs through the center of Wildwood and follows the original route of the road from the early 1930s. Anyone interested in American transportation history and the character of historic roads will find a tangible starting point here for exploring the town.

The early settlements of Wildwood can also still be identified through historical markers. The Historic Markers Program places descriptions of historic areas at historic sites throughout the city. This makes it possible to explore the town’s history not only through individual buildings but also through marked locations. One illustrative example is Old Pond School: The restored one-room schoolhouse dates from 1914 and stands on a one-acre property in Wildwood. It is considered one of the best examples of a one-room schoolhouse in Saint Louis County.

Trails for Different Day Plans

For active days, the Wildwood Greenway offers about 18 miles of paved trails. Those who prefer a longer route can consider the Bluff View Trail System. A round trip from Bluff View Park is approximately 12.7 miles long. The system is a natural-surface singletrack trail for hikers, runners, mountain bikers and horseback riders; it also includes the rock formation Sperm Whale Rock.

Other trails have different focuses. The Al Foster Memorial Trail generally runs along the Meramec River and begins at the Al Foster Trailhead in Glencoe. The Hamilton Carr is a 1.7-mile paved trail connecting the Wabash, Frisco and Pacific Miniature Railroad in Glencoe with Rockwoods Reservation. It leads to a flat, shaded limestone-gravel route along the Meramec River that passes high limestone bluffs.

The Rock Hollow Trail features thirteen wooden bridges. The trail is paved and available to pedestrians and cyclists. These differences help with planning your day: You can choose a paved route or deliberately plan a natural-surface singletrack trail without combining the aforementioned trails into a single route.

Natural Setting and Practical Choice

State, county and city parks cover 11 of the 68 square miles within Wildwood’s municipal boundaries. Together with the trails described above, this creates a destination where nature experiences and historical discoveries stand side by side. If you are traveling with different interests, a holiday apartment in Wildwood can serve as a base for varied trip planning. The key consideration is less which area is generally “best” and more whether Route 66 and local history, paved trails or longer outings should be the focus of your days.

If a dog is part of your trip, note that membership is required for Buddy's Place Dog Park. The park is located at Community Park in Wildwood, Missouri 63038, 17155 Pond Grover Parkway.

Additional Destinations for Orientation

If you would like to compare other places besides Wildwood, you can also view Oakville, Fenton, Edmundson, Kirkwood, Florissant, Earth City, Sunset Hills and Green Park.

For the overarching travel overview: St Louis.