Home › Missouri › Kirkwood › Dee Koestering Park
Dee Koestering Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 61 Google reviews · Running trail in Kirkwood, Missouri · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Dee Koestering Park'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.
Scenic park featuring a lookout and a hike through the remains of a quarry.
What runners say about Dee Koestering Park
“I can only imagine how beautiful it must be when it’s warmer; I’ll definitely be back!”
Great spot for a quick hike. Not too crowded. Very hilly, with limited rest stops, so I'd rate this as moderately difficult. Limited parking and alot of road noise from interstate 44. Plenty of wildlife to be seen though. No bathroom, but there access to water at the trailhead. The first hill is brutal!
Small park with quite a bit of highway noise. It basically sits in some peoples' backyards so you don't really get the "in nature" feels. Surprising amount of wildlife though, and the little trail is nice and has some opportunities for climbing large rocks left over from the quarry days. Worth going once.
This tucked away walk is nice but not grand. It's a short walk to the lookout which is paved and a footpath which goes into the quarry. The lookout isn't amazing but has some good info about the place and historical accounts.
This place is so cute! It’s tucked away right beside St. Louis School and feels like a hidden gem. It’s a great spot for a walk on a nice day. Everything is very clean and well organized.
Trail conditions & character
“From the parking lot we used, it was dooownnn a STEEP hill, uuuup a STEEP HILL with some fairly level in between.”
“I can only imagine how beautiful it must be when it’s warmer; I’ll definitely be back!”
“From the parking lot we used, it was dooownnn a STEEP hill, uuuup a STEEP HILL with some fairly level in between.”
“Get off the paved trail and down into the valley for the best scenery, definitely worth a few hours to look around.”
“I wouldn’t recommend bringing babies in strollers or carts because going up and down can be tough.”
“NOTE: Other than a few park benches, there are no restrooms or other services.”
“Just a few helpful things to know: There’s a sign that says no dogs allowed.”
“After investigating the ruins, there are several possible trails, but one is never completely sure because there are no trail markers except at the beginning.”
Plan your run at Dee Koestering Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- 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.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitekirkwoodparksandrec.org
- Phone+1 314-822-5855
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–8 pm |
Running trails near Kirkwood
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Greentree Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 76 reviews
Spacious, riverside, greenway park for walking, biking, and boating.
Hickory Ridge Trail
5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews
Possum Woods Conservation Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 167 reviews
Nature preserve featuring well-maintained trails for hiking with river views, picnic areas, and parking.
Kirkwood Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,474 reviews
Green space offering baseball fields, a fishing lake, tennis courts, an amphitheater, and picnic areas.
Emmenegger Nature Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 456 reviews
A river meanders through woodlands on this placid, 93-acre retreat featuring hiking & picnicking.
Laumeier Sculpture Park Trail Head
4.7 ★★★★★ 993 reviews
Hiking area with paved trails, picnic tables, and numerous abstract sculptures.