Emmenegger Nature Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Emmenegger Nature Park is a beautiful 97-acre park located in Kirkwood, Missouri.


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Summary

There are several good reasons to visit this park, including its scenic views and diverse wildlife. The park is home to a variety of plant and animal species including deer, foxes, and several bird species. Visitors can also enjoy hiking and biking on the park's trails, which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

One of the main points of interest in the park is the historic Meramec Highlands Quarry at the park's entrance. This quarry was once used to extract limestone and is now a popular spot for visitors to explore. Additionally, the park features a large pond where visitors can fish and a picnic area perfect for enjoying lunch or a snack.

Interesting facts about the park include its origin as a quarry, as well as its history as a Native American hunting ground. The park is also named after the Emmenegger family, who once owned the land.

The best time of year to visit Emmenegger Nature Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the park's wildlife is most active. Visitors should also be aware that the park is closed during the winter months due to inclement weather.

Overall, Emmenegger Nature Park is a beautiful and peaceful destination for those looking to enjoy nature and explore Missouri's natural beauty.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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