Dogwood Trail

Located at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park in Wildwood, Missouri, the Dogwood Trail does not disappoint, and it is definitely rugged. Our oldest (8) did fine, but there was some complaining from the little one (3 1/2). There are lots of exposed roots creating natural steps and it is quite hilly. There are a number of inclines and at one point the trail reaches the highest elevation in the park. You can also find the spur to Babler Spring on the south leg of the trail. Since the trail does cross with the equestrian trail numerous times, it is important to pay attention to the trail markers.

Trailhead:

In the Guy Park Drive Trailhead area.

Trail Details:
  • 2 mile Loop
  • Rugged
  • Natural Surfaces
Additional Details:
  1. Park in the Guy Park Drive Area.
  2. Bathrooms inside Visitor Center or by the old pool.
  3. If you visit after a good rain or snow, you will get muddy! Bring extra shoes.
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Hawthorn Trail

Located at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park in Wildwood, Missouri, the Hawthorn Trail is a short sparsely covered trail with a small pawpaw patch. The trail overlooks several farms making for nice views. We hiked the trail in the winter after a good snow melt, and the trees were ice covered. The trail was muddy and messy and our kids had a great time. Even though it is rated as moderate, the trail was a bit more on the easy side.

Trailhead:

Across the road from the Alta Shelter

Trail Details:
  • 1.2 mile Loop
  • Moderate
  • Natural Surfaces
Additional Details:
  1. Park at the Alta Shelter
  2. During on-season, bathrooms are available at the Alta Shelter or at the Visitor Center or by the old swimming pool in the off-season.

Virginia Day Memorial Nature Trail

Located at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park in Wildwood, Missouri, the Virginia Day Memorial Nature Trail is a narrow forested trail that dips down into a valley. The trail is lined with oak and hickory trees and a nice little pawpaw patch. You will also encounter a few boardwalks, and a cedar patch. While the trail is rated as moderate neither of our girls (2 1/2 & 7) had issues navigating the trail.

Trailhead:

Located across from the Visitor Center.

Trail Details:
  • 1.5 mile Loop
  • Moderate
  • Natural Surfaces
Additional Details:
  1. Park at the Visitor Center
  2. Bathrooms inside Visitor Center

Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park

Located in Wildwood, Missouri, Babler is our favorite “local” state park. Babler offers several trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, as well as, multiple picnic areas, a campground, and the River Hills Visitor Center. The park staff is super friendly and knowledgeable. We have hiked, camped, and attended several events. The girls earned their very first Explorer badge here, and it is our go-to campground for Halloween. Also, the wide scenic park roads are a great place for new drivers to master their skills.

Park Features
  • River Hills Visitor Center
  • Jacob L. Babler Outdoor Education Center
  • Picnic Sites:
    • Cochran Shelter
    • Alta Shelter
    • Walnut Grove Shelter
    • Henry Babler Enclosed Shelter
  • Day Use Area with Playground *as of 5/1/22 – the playground is being replaced because of storm damage
  • Trails:
    • Amphitheater Trail: 0.2 miles (Linear), Natural, and Easy
    • Dogwood Trail: 2 miles (Loop), Natural, Rugged
    • Equestrian Trail: 6.1 miles (Loop), Mixed, Rugged
    • Hawthorn Trail: 1.2 miles (Loop), Natural, and Moderate
    • Paved Bicycle Trail: 1.7 miles (Linear), Paved, and Easy
    • Virginia Day Memorial Nature Trail: 1.5 miles (Loop), Natural, and Moderate
    • Woodbine Trail: 1.8 mile (Loop), Mixed, and Moderate
  • Campground:
    • 72 year-round reservable campsites (basic and electric)

Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground

Located in Wildwood, Missouri, the campground at Babler is a place for a nice, short getaway from the city. The campground is made up of several well maintained roads that create “branches” or sections of the campground that are perfect for biking/skating/scootering. The facilities are clean and in decent condition. Some campsites are close together, but all pads are concrete, and each has a picnic table and fire pit. Most campers seem to be drawn to the 30 amp section to the right of the check-in station as those sites seem to be a bit bigger. The sections to the left (50 amp and basic) seem to be more secluded or wooded, and have tighter turns. Babler has become our go-to destination for Halloween camping, and we prefer to camp at the front (main road) of the campground in Site 8. For those pulling campers, we do recommend traveling to the park via Highway 40, through Chesterfield, as opposed to Highway 44, through Wildwood, if you can, to avoid several roundabouts along Highway 109.

Campsites
  • 72 reservable sites including 3 ADA sites
  • Electric (30 & 50 amp available) and Basic
  • Back-in with concrete pads
  • Picnic table and fire pit
  • Special-Use Area for nonprofit organizations
Amenities
  • Check-in Station
  • Water*
  • Showerhouse/Bathhouse**
  • Vault Toilets
  • Laundry**
  • Dump Station***
  • Woodlot/Ice
  • Trash/Recycling
  • Playground
  • Amphitheater

*During the off-season, water is available at site 36.

**Only available during the on-season (April through October).

***Dump Station is open for dumping however the water is only available during the on-season.

Cell Coverage/Wi-Fi

Currently, we have Cricket Unlimited with Hotspots. Service in the campground (well, the park in general) can be pretty spotty. At this time, the park does not offer wi-fi.