Don Robinson State Park
Hiking the Sandstone Canyon Trail at Don Robinson State Park was, indeed, a hike…especially on a hot summer's day. Armed with a backpack full of camera gear, I set off on the 4.4-mile loop, ready to face whatever this trail would throw at me. Little did I know, the park’s quirks and my utter lack of stamina (thank you, sedentary lifestyle) would test my resolve.
This park has a fascinating story. The land was donated by Don Robinson, a quirky businessman from St. Louis who made his fortune selling stain remover. His dream was to preserve the “wild and wooly” feel of his 800 acres, and he succeeded in 2017 when the park opened.
The main, Sandstone Canyon trail loops through a diverse landscape of towering sandstone cliffs, lush woodlands, box canyons, shelter caves, and glades. Setting off on the northern half of the trail, I was immediately enveloped by the relative cool shade of trees, and the scent of dirt and leaves tickling my nose. Not far off the trail I spotted a tree with a twisted trunk that really stood out from the rest. Its bark was rough and patchy, with a mix of browns and grays. The trees around it had their own unique textures—some lighter, almost silver-gray, and others a deeper brown. The ground was covered with green leaves, fallen branches, and thick underbrush, while the light filtering through the trees gave everything a soft, almost magical glow. It was one of those peaceful spots that makes you want to pause and just take it all in.
Continuing the hike, the path winds through these sandstone canyons, making me feel like I’d stumbled into some prehistoric realm. Birds sang overhead, and the crunch of gravel under my shoes mixed with the buzzing of cicadas—a constant reminder that Missouri summers are no joke. Sunlight streamed through the leaves, adding splashes of light to the cliff faces and rock formations. Tall trees framed the view, giving the scene this incredible depth.
The trail, though marked “moderate,” felt like a test of endurance in this weather, especially with the 498 feet of elevation gain. The climb, as I transitioned to the southern half of the loop, was a little brutal. Gone was the canyon's shelter, replaced by open woodland, where the sun beat down relentlessly. But nature has a funny way of rewarding perseverance. As I reached a higher elevation, the view opened up, and a hint of a breeze finally reached me.
But even in the heat, the sandstone formations and lush greenery made every humid step worth it. By the time I looped back to the parking lot—a few hours later—I was tired but triumphant, having experienced two very different sides of this beautiful trail. It was almost like hiking two trails in one, from shady canyons to open woodlands, all wrapped up in Missouri’s summer charm.
For anyone looking to experience Missouri’s wild side, I highly recommend the Sandstone Canyon Trail—just be prepared for the hills, and maybe wait for the cooler fall weather.