Florissant Valley Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Florissant Valley Park is a popular attraction in the state of Missouri, located approximately 15 miles north of St.


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Summary

Louis. The park covers an area of 320 acres and offers a range of outdoor activities for visitors, including hiking, fishing, picnicking, and camping.

One of the main reasons to visit Florissant Valley Park is its natural beauty. The park is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, including more than 200 species of birds and several varieties of wildflowers. Visitors can explore the park's many trails, which wind through wooded areas and along the banks of the Missouri River.

There are several points of interest within Florissant Valley Park that are worth checking out. The Riverwoods Center, for example, is a popular spot for picnicking and fishing, while the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine offers a glimpse into the area's rich history. Another notable feature of the park is its many limestone bluffs, some of which rise as high as 200 feet above the river.

Interesting facts about Florissant Valley Park include its designation as a National Natural Landmark in 1972, as well as its status as one of the few remaining examples of unspoiled riverine forest in the region. The park is also home to several rare and endangered species, including the Indiana bat and the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.

The best time of year to visit Florissant Valley Park depends largely on personal preference. Many visitors enjoy the park in the fall, when the leaves of the many trees in the area change color. Spring is also a popular time to visit, as wildflowers bloom throughout the park. Summer is a great time to take advantage of the park's many water-based activities, while winter visitors can enjoy the park's peaceful, snow-covered landscape.

       

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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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