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August
10

Late-Summer Day Trips and Easy Escapes Near St. Louis | RedKey Realty Leaders

Summer may be winding down, but it's not over yet. We've still got a few warm-weather days left before the fall chill sets in. That's plenty of time to enjoy a few day trips or weekend getaways around St. Louis. Join us at these fun day trip spots near our St. Louis homes for sale and get ready to send summer off in style.  

Make the Most of Summer's Last Days at These Getaways Near St. Louis 

Klondike Park - Augusta, MO 

Address: 4600 Highway 94 South, Augusta, MO 63332 

Klondike Park was a working sand quarry for decades before being converted back to a natural green space in the early 2000s. It's now one of the most popular outdoor recreation spots near our Augusta homes for sale, offering amenities like: 

  • Cabins and rustic campsites where you can spend the night 
  • A lake surrounded by the park's hallmark soft silica sand where you can fish, kayak, and paddleboard  
  • A paddle share rental kiosk where you can pick up a board or kayak if you need one 
  • Plenty of picnic spots and shelters 
  • The Creative at Klondike, a full-scale arts center with a gallery space, studios, and arts workshops for amateurs and professionals alike 

It's a public park, so you can visit it for free anytime during daylight hours. You can also admire the art at The Creative for free, but you'll owe a small fee if you sign up for a workshop.  

Castlewood State Park - Ballwin, MO 

Address: 1401 Kiefer Creek Road, Ballwin, MO 63021 

Castlewood State Park is a sprawling 1,800-acre park located just south of our Ballwin homes for sale. It's split into two parts, one of which can only be accessed by passing through Lone Elk County Park. Across both areas, you'll find: 

  • 26 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding 
  • Hitching posts for securing horses while not actively riding them 
  • Fishing spots along the Meramec River where you can catch catfish, bluegill, carp, and more 
  • Picnic areas equipped with tables and charcoal grills 
  • An accessible playground with slides, swings, and climbing structures  

Both sides are free to visit. You'll only pay fees if you choose to reserve a picnic shelter for a special event.  

The Historic Daniel Boone Home - Defiance, MO 

Address: 1868 Highway F, Defiance, MO 63341 

The Historic Daniel Boone Home is the former home of famed pioneer and folk hero Daniel Boone. It's part of a recreated 19th-century village near our Defiance homes for sale that also features: 

  • Mount Hope School, an authentic one-room schoolhouse brought over from St. Paul 
  • Old Peace Chapel, a gorgeous building that was once used as a dance hall and general store before being converted into a church 
  • The Canebrake and Sugar Camp, a maple sugar processing facility used by Boone and his wife during their early days on the property 
  • Carpenter, joiner, and gunsmith shops built to look like the structures pioneers would have used more than 200 years ago 

The Boone Home itself has three floors filled with furniture, artifacts, and educational displays chronicling Missouri's territorial era. Visitors may explore the park grounds for free or take a paid guided tour of the historic home and village.  

Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park - Wildwood, MO 

Address: 800 Guy Park Drive, Wildwood, MO 63005 

Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park is just a few minutes' drive from St. Louis and our Wildwood homes for sale, but its serene beauty makes it feel much more remote. Spend an afternoon here to enjoy:

  • Six different trails, including routes for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding
  • Guided hikes and educational presentations at the Visitor Center 
  • Antique stone bridges and archways and natural rock formations 
  • More than 200 picnic spots or one of the park's three picnic shelters 
  • An on-site playground 

The park is free to visit during posted park hours. You'll only pay to rent a campsite or reserve a picnic shelter for your exclusive use.  

Innsbrook Resort - Innsbrook, MO 

Address: 596 Aspen Way Drive, Innsbrook, MO 63390 

If you're craving a taste of luxury without going far from home, Innsbrook Resort is the place for you. Both a vacation resort and a premier residential community (just look at our beautiful Innsbrook homes for sale!), this place boasts: 

  • Seven hiking trails with paths chosen specifically for their scenic beauty 
  • An 18-hole golf course with dramatic elevation changes that add a challenge to the game
  • A putting green where you can practice your swing 
  • Dozens of lakes and beaches where you can swim, fish, and enjoy the sunshine
  • Stables with a horse pen and arenas for riding 
  • Tennis and pickleball courts and a basketball court 
  • A large outdoor swimming pool where you can cool off between activities 
  • The Clubhouse Bar and Grille, a casual sit-down restaurant with a patio deck overlooking the golf green 
  • The Market Cafe and Creamery, the perfect place to stop for an iced coffee or ice cream bar 

Many recreational amenities are reserved for property owners and registered vacation guests, while the public golf course, restaurants, shops, and certain events welcome outside visitors. Consider visiting one of the public spots first to get a sneak peek at the resort before committing to an overnight stay.

All About Late-Summer Getaways Near St. Louis

Which destinations offer overnight accommodations?

Klondike Park offers cabins and campsites, while Babler Memorial State Park has several types of campsites. Vacation rentals are also available at Innsbrook Resort.

Are any of these attractions free to visit?

Klondike Park, Castlewood State Park, Babler Memorial State Park, and the grounds surrounding the Historic Daniel Boone Home are free to visit. Fees may apply for camping, facility reservations, workshops, guided tours, golf, and other activities.

Which getaway is best for a history-focused day trip?

The Historic Daniel Boone Home is the strongest choice for visitors interested in regional history. Its reconstructed village and guided tours explore daily life during Missouri's territorial era.

Spend Every Summer Under the St. Louis Sun 

St. Louis blends big-city conveniences and small-town charm unlike any other part of the Midwest. There are many more local parks and lakes like these just waiting to become your new favorite summer hangout spot. Get in touch today to find out more about our current roster of homes for sale in the St. Louis area.  

Disclaimer: All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information on this site was last updated 08/10/2026. The listing information on this page last changed on 08/10/2026. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of Delta Media Group MLS (last updated Mon 08/10/2026 8:39:51 AM EST) or MARIS MLS (last updated Mon 08/10/2026 8:31:23 AM EST). Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than RedKey Realty Leaders may be marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and detailed information about those properties will include the name of the listing broker(s) when required by the MLS. All rights reserved.
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