7445 Stream Valley Ct, St Louis
Cliff Cave Park
Originally called Indian Cave, Cliff Cave Park got its name from the cave tucked into the bluffs. This park has a unique history in the expansion West.
In 1749 Jean Baptiste D’Gamache received the cave and land through a Spanish Land Grant. Later in the 18th Century French Fur trappers used the cave as a tavern for traders traveling on the Mississippi. In 1868 the property was sold to Cliff Cave Wine Company. In the Late 1800s, volunteer soldiers from Jefferson Barracks built a new saloon in the entrance. In 1969 Cliff Cave was purchased by St. Louis County Parks and Recreation and was opened to the public in 1977.
Cliff Cave Park is part of the Mississippi River Greenway and was designated as a Heritage Park in 1986 which limits the amount of development that can take place there. In 2009 the entrance to the cave was gated to protect the endangered Indiana Bats and preserve remaining archeological artifacts. Since the installation of the gate, the population of Indiana bats has increased. Big Brown Bats, Little Brown Bats, Eastern Pipistrelle Bats, Cave Salamanders, Isopods, and other cave critters inhabit the cave as well.
Recently in 2018 Cliff Cave Park underwent a major facelift which was funded by the Great Rivers Greenway. It extended an existing five mile paved trail up a bluff to a stunning, new Mississippi river overlook and included a 210 FT pedestrian bridge over cliff cave road to connect visitors to the overlook. Other additions include new restrooms, additional parking, a pedestrian bridge over a creek, and new signalized cross walk across telegraph road. New trees, shrubbery, and flowers native to the area were planted as well.
The trails of varying lengths through the bluffs and up to the overlook should not be missed! Soak in all of the wildlife and natural beauty as you walk or bike! There is also a pavilion that can be reserved for events.
