All Outdoors and Recreation

155 Market St. Public Invited A green space with tables and benches located in the middle of the historic downtown, Lions Club Park is an oasis where you can enjoy a meal or walking respite and sit under a beautiful shade canopy. Stop by for a beer and a hamburger during Jour De Fete or say hi to Santa after the annual Christmas Parade. Schools may use the park for their sack lunch breaks during school tours but please reserve the park by filling out the form below. All other group event/activities must fill out a Lions Club application by email request. Read more…

Magnolia Hollow Conservation Area – Panoramic Mississippi River Views from Limestone Bluffs Ten miles north of Ste. Genevieve on Magnolia Hollow Road, the rugged 1,740-acre Magnolia Hollow Conservation Area rises above the Mississippi River—a recreation and outdoor lover’s paradise where steep bluffs provide panoramic views of the river bottomlands, Establishment Creek winds through dense hardwood forests, and bald eagles soar past limestone cliffs in winter months. This Missouri Department of Conservation property offers accessible overlooks, forested hiking trails, primitive camping, and the kind of wild, minimally managed landscape that protects sensitive watersheds while inviting nature enthusiasts to experience the dramatic terrain defining Ste. Genevieve County’s Mississippi River borderlands. The Panoramic Overlook: Why People Come to Magnolia Hollow Most visitors arrive for one reason: the view. The Accessible Viewing Platform: A short paved trail (approximately 1/8 mile from the parking lot) leads to a wooden viewing platform with guardrails and benches—designed for wheelchair accessibility and safe viewing for all ages and abilities. From the platform, elevated on limestone bluffs hundreds of feet above the floodplain, you see: The Mississippi River – Visible in the distance, the great river that shaped French colonial settlement patterns, served as superhighway for fur traders and Read more…

Pere Marquette Park – Ste. Genevieve’s Hidden Gem Named for Father Jacques Marquette, the famous 17th-century French Jesuit missionary and explorer who journeyed down the Mississippi River with Louis Joliet in 1673, Pere Marquette Park offers locals and visitors a peaceful retreat where recreation, natural beauty, and open space come together. This scenic city park embodies the kind of unpretentious, family-friendly outdoor space that makes small-town life so appealing—and remarkably, it remains one of Ste. Genevieve’s best-kept secrets, seeing relatively light usage despite its excellent facilities. A Park That Invites You to Linger Pere Marquette Park provides exactly what a good city park should: ample space for play, rest, and recreation without the crowds and over-programming that can make urban parks feel more stressful than relaxing. The light usage means you’re likely to find the park peaceful and uncrowded, whether you’re visiting on a weekday afternoon or a weekend morning. This isn’t a park where you’ll struggle to find parking, wait for playground equipment, or feel like you’re competing for space. Instead, you’ll discover room to spread out, breathe deeply, and enjoy outdoor time at your own pace. For families with young children, this spaciousness is particularly valuable—kids can run, Read more…

Pickle Springs Natural Area, Highway AA Ste. Geneviève, MO 63670 Call us at 573-883-3603 Pickle Springs has been designated a Natural Landmark by the National Park Service for its biological and geological values as an undisturbed site. A two-mile trail named the “Trail Through Time” winds through the park and guides the visitor through 500 million-year-old geologic wonders carved in sandstone. The trail features clear streams, cool canyons, spectacular bluff views, and “The Slot,” a crevice marked with holes, pockets, and ridges. Visitors must climb through the ”Keyhole” to descend to the creek below. Twin footbridges cross Bone Creek and pass Mossy Falls. The park is a primitive natural area and does not have services. Be sure to bring a camera and plenty of liquids before hiking the trail. Read more…

1301 Progress Parkway Ste. Geneviève, MO 63670 Call us at 573.883.5244 River Rapids Water Park has daily and seasonal memberships available. This amazing facility includes several tubular tall water slides. The lazy river offers a relaxing float around the park. A 6-lane lap pool features a zip line, climbing ropes, and a diving board. An exciting kids’ play area has 30 different activities to enjoy. Come for a splashing good time! Read more…