Castlewood State Park is the perfect location for any nature enthusiast that seeks out adventure or just wants to get lost in the woods. With its hiking trail to overlooks of the Meramec River and gentle walking trails through open fields, Castlewood State Park has plenty to offer for senior pictures. Creeks flow around the park and there are abundant woods to give you all kinds of different scenery for your senior pictures. You can even trek alongside the Meramec River, discovering all the beautiful flowers that grow nearby it. Whether you’re a hiker or enjoy a leisurely stroll, you won’t fail to find the perfect view for your background.

Check out my list of the top senior picture locations in St. Louis, MO to get inspired by more locations to have your senior pictures taken.

The Best Part About Castlewood State Park

Castlewood State Park’s best-known feature is its steep, Lone Wolf hiking trail that directly leads you to the most beautiful, scenic views of the Meramec River. Once at the top, it’s a fairly easy walk along the bluff that offers multiple views of the river and a lovely stroll through the woods.

You’ll come across some steps as you finish off the trail, which leads you down to a small tunnel that passes under the train tracks. This tunnel gives you a change of scenery, opening up a little bit of an urban and moody location for senior pictures.

Once through the tunnel, you’re now on flat ground that follows the Meramec River. If you don’t want the major uphill hike, you can still access the river from the far end of the park, taking the trail that leads you past wide-open fields that make for great “freedom” feeling photos.

Along the trail by the Meramec River, you’ll be surrounded by woods, and at certain times of the year, you’ll be able to catch blooming wildflowers amongst the trees. These flowers are great for creating fairytale style photos.

On the other side of the park, you’ll find a quiet creek flowing along a gravel bar. With large rocks sitting along the creek, this gives you an opportunity for sitting or climbing on the rock poses. The gravel bar is also a change of scenery from the sandbars that line the Meramec River.

What to Expect Each Season

Spring

Wildflowers, particularly bluebells, bloom in the spring along the trail by the Meramec River. Trees are also starting to get their color back, but while they haven’t completely regained their leaves, this opens up the views from the overlooks a bit more, while also giving you some color from some of the regrowth. Since spring is the rainy season, you may run into the possibility of the Meramec River trail being closed due to flooding.

Summer

In the summer, the trees will be filled with leaves, giving you plenty of color and fully wooded backgrounds. The grass will also be green in the large, open fields. Since summer tends to be drier, the river levels will most likely go down, and the threat of the Meramec River trail being flooded will be less likely.

Fall

With the number of trees in Castlewood State Park, this makes the perfect location for fall senior pictures. You won’t fail to miss color here. Head up to the overlook too for beautiful oranges, reds, and yellows stretched out over the Meramec River, or walk along the pathways to surrounded yourself in a forest of warm, glowing colors.

Winter

While winter means there’s not growth and the trees will be barren, it’s the perfect time to view the Meramec River from the overlooks. Even though barren trees offer no color, your view of the river is much wider as you can see through the trees. The lower parts of the trail system are also great after a snow to twirl around or feel like your lost in a snowy forest.

Pricing and Accommodations

Castlewood State Park is free and gates are open from 7:00am to one-half hour after sunset, year round. Restrooms are by the playground parking lot.

Address

1401 Kiefer Creek Rd, Ballwin, MO 63021

Senior Pictures at Castlewood State Park

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