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Bootlegger's Run Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 146 Google reviews · Running trail in Maryland Heights, Missouri · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Bootlegger's Run Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Easy to medium-intensity hiking area featuring dirt trails, a playground, and frisbee golf.
What runners say about Bootlegger's Run Trailhead
“Inside the beautiful park 💯 Saw the lake but didn't actually take the trail to it, however it is possible to take the entire trail to the lake.”
“Excellent hiking and trail-bike path👍cool tree canopy along dirt walking trail.”
“It's well marked, and was scenic.”
Mountain Bikers - Extremely fun off road trails. Manicured and smooth. Downhill and off road riding. They are short so it’s a Quick ride but easy access. Castle wood is larger and arguably better but not as manicured but too far away to access easily.
This is one of the best intermediate trails in St Louis. It is pretty smooth and has some flow to it. It's located below GoApe course and you can here the screams sometimes as you ride through the 3 mile loop. It drains pretty well but it's mostly clay with little rocks so sometimes can be messy after rain.
This is a perfect park. Plenty of trails, parking, frisbee golf, a rope course, tennis courts, and bathrooms. If you get bored, you can always take the stairs down to the lake and rent a kayak. I recommend you watch out for bicyclest if yo walk the trails. That can really sneak up on you.
Great hike. Lots of shade and not too steep. About 4 miles and took us about 1.5 hours to hike. Looked like it was great for mountain biking too!
Trail conditions & character
“If the trail wasn't covered with leaves it was muddy from all the rain we've had, but I was prepared.”
“The trail was very clearly defined, sometimes covered in leaves, but it's not a trail you can lose especially the part that goes along the ridge with the views of the lake.”
“It's a nice big 4+ mile loop, but there's also an option to only do half, which is what I did with my little boys who were getting tired.”
“There are a couple of nice switchback hills to give you a good workout, but overall I'd call this a low to medium intensity trail.”
“Excellent hiking and trail-bike path👍cool tree canopy along dirt walking trail.”
“Plenty of trails, parking, frisbee golf, a rope course, tennis courts, and bathrooms.”
“I did cross the road and did the part of the loop on the other side, but was running out of time so I took the trail shortcut back to my parking lot.”
Plan your run at Bootlegger's Run Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–11 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–11 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–11 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–11 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–11 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–11 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–11 PM |
Running trails near Maryland Heights
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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