Top 5 Lakes around Weldon Spring

The lakes around Weldon Spring offer a variety of outdoor activities. You can enjoy fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing. The Weldon Spring Conservation Area, for instance, features diverse habitats and trails for hiking and mountain biking, with scenic overlooks of the Missouri River. Kayaking is also popular, especially at Betty's Lake during warmer months.

Yes, several spots are great for families. Betty's Lake is considered family-friendly and a hotspot for kayakers and sunbathers. Central Park is another excellent option, featuring a pretty lake, waterfall, and fountain, with a fully paved, flat path suitable for all ages, along with public toilets and picnic shelters.

The Weldon Spring area is well-known for its fishing lakes. Within the Weldon Spring Conservation Area, Fire Lake (4 acres) and Prairie Lake (24 acres) offer opportunities to catch catfish, crappie, sunfish, black bass, and white bass. The August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area has over 30 lakes, with Lake Number 34, Lake Number 35, and Lake Number 37 being popular for Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, and even Muskie in Lake 35. Fishing is prohibited in Fire and Prairie Lakes during waterfowl hunting season.

Absolutely. The Weldon Spring Conservation Area offers various trails, including challenging routes like the Lewis and Clark Trails, which provide scenic overlooks of the Missouri River. The area also connects to the Katy Trail. For more specific running trails, you can explore options like the Lewis & Clark Trail or the Busch Greenway, Hamburg Trail, and Katy Trail Loop. For easy hikes, consider the Weldon Spring Blue Grosbeak Trail.

Portions of the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area, including some lakes, were historically impacted by contamination from the former Weldon Spring Chemical Plant. Following a federal environmental cleanup project, the area is now considered safe for recreational use and wildlife. This history highlights the significant restoration efforts undertaken to preserve these natural spaces.

Yes, cycling is a popular activity. The Weldon Spring Conservation Area connects to the Katy Trail, a well-known cycling route. You can find various cycling routes in the region, such as the Katy Trail itself, or longer loops like the Busch Greenway and Katy Trail Loop.

Yes, the diverse habitats around the lakes, including forests, woodlands, and wetlands, make the Weldon Spring Conservation Area and August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area excellent spots for bird watching. Many visitors come specifically for wildlife viewing and photography.

The Weldon Spring Conservation Area spans over 8,300 acres, offering a rich variety of landscapes including forests, woodlands, wetlands, and glades. It features numerous lakes and ponds, limestone cliffs overlooking the Missouri River, and a network of trails for hiking and mountain biking. It's a prime location for experiencing diverse natural habitats.

The lakes offer scenic views of Missouri's natural beauty. For example, Busch Lake 35 provides captivating views of the Missouri prairie and the Busch Conservation Wildlife Area. The Lewis and Clark Trails in the Weldon Spring Conservation Area also offer scenic overlooks of the Missouri River.

Betty's Lake is particularly popular for kayakers, especially during the warmer months. Its setting amidst Missouri's rolling hills and prairies makes it an appealing spot for water activities.

The best time to visit depends on your preferred activities. Warmer months are ideal for kayaking and sunbathing, particularly at lakes like Betty's Lake. For hiking and general outdoor enjoyment, spring and fall offer pleasant temperatures and vibrant scenery. Note that fishing is prohibited in Fire and Prairie Lakes during the prescribed waterfowl hunting season.