Klondike Park

Klondike Park

Located in southwestern St. Charles County, Klondike Park is a 250-acre park, acquired by the County in 1999. This park lies adjacent to Highway 94, the Katy Trail and the Missouri River. In the past, the Klondike Park site was the scene of quarry operations to mine the high-silica sand, and is a study of nature's resiliency.

There is a surprisingly wide range of trails in this park for a rather small area. It can be divided roughly into 2 sections: the western side with the Powerline, Strip Mine, Donjo's, and Donkey Kong trails; and the eastern side with the Hogsback trail. Both of these sections can be ridden as a complete loop by making use of some of the paved and gravel bike paths in the park.

The trails on the western side are for the most part, rockier and more technical, featuring the flowy, curvy Powerline trail, and the advanced, uber-technical Strip Mine and Donkey Kong trails. Nearly everyone will end up putting a foot down, or even walking some sections of these trails. They are not recommended for beginners, but will prove a challenging and rewarding ride for more skilled bike handlers. 

On the eastern side, the Hogsback will take you on a thrilling ride beginning on top of the bluffs, and sending you rapidly down a screaming descent with super-tight switchbacks, a 40 ft. sandstone ledge, exposed slopes and even some short but tough climbing near the bottom.

A number of newer trails have been built in the central and western sections of the park to test your technical skills: Rock Crusher, Moh Joe, Ed's Basement, Tombstone, and Ayre Flow.

Because of the sandy, rocky soil on the western side, these trails generally drain well, and can be ridden fairly soon after rain. The Hogsback, however, is on a north-facing slope and the lower areas see little sun and are very slow to dry. It can be very muddy and slippery, so it's recommended to avoid it immediately after rain.

Some technical skill structures are being added to the park. Two teeters and 2 drops have been constructed on Powerline already with more to follow.

Directions

Klondike Park is located off of Highway 94 just a few miles east of the town of Augusta. From the Highway 40/94 interchange: Take Highway 94 South approximately 14 miles, past Defiance and Matson. The park entrance is on the left side of Highway 94.

Services

The park provides camper cabins, basic and primitive campsites, the Curt Loupe Conference Center, a fishing lake, a boat ramp to the Missouri River, natural areas, biking and hiking trails, access to the Katy Trail, picnic areas, a playground area, and observation areas with tremendous views of the Missouri River, surrounding forests and farmland in St. Louis and Franklin counties.

Park History

The park is approximately 250 acres in size and was a former quarry. It was acquired by St. Charles County in 1999. There are lakes open to fishing, spectacular views overlooking the Katy Trail and Missouri River and beautiful wooded scenery.

Klondike offers some of the best trail in St. Louis. Tight switchbacks, rollercoaster terrain, technical obstacles and adrenaline-inducing brushes against sheer bluffs will keep your heart racing.

This park lies adjacent to Highway 94, the Katy Trail and the Missouri River. In the Klondike Park site has been heavily disturbed by quarry operations and is a study of nature's resiliency. The park includes: camper cabins, the Curt Loupe Conference Center, a fishing lake, boat ramp to the Missouri River, natural areas, basic and primitive campsites, biking and hiking trails, access to the Katy Trail, picnic areas, a playground area, and observation areas with tremendous views of the Missouri River, surrounding forests and farmland in St. Louis and Franklin counties.

Maps 

Trail Information

Klondike Park (Off Site)
Forum Discussion
Rainout Online Status
Trail Hotline: 636-707-0011

When checking the Rainout Line to confirm the status of Klondike trails being open or closed, note that Hogsback will have its own extension, separate from all the other natural surface trails in the park.

Trail Steward(s)

Ed Gengenbacher
Dean Ayres

Rating

Intermediate / Advanced

Length

About 4 miles

Type

Multiple Loops

Weather

Trail Conditions

Latest Conditions

From jbrockSTL on Fri, 09/22/2023 - 7:52pm - Klondike Park (St. Charles Area)
This is an underrated trail system. Get after it!
From Goat on Mon, 06/05/2023 - 12:11pm - Klondike Park (St. Charles Area)
Bangin….
From Goat on Mon, 06/05/2023 - 12:11pm - Klondike Park (St. Charles Area)
Bangin….
From krg857 on Fri, 12/03/2021 - 2:22pm - Klondike Park (St. Charles Area)
Great ride! Some leaf cover but no downed trees or other obstructions.
From tyjay on Mon, 08/30/2021 - 2:44pm - Klondike Park (St. Charles Area)
Hogs back has the same 3 trees down for 3 months now. Most neglected trail in the area.
From crashlandon on Sat, 03/06/2021 - 11:05am - Klondike Park (St. Charles Area)
Lots of mud pits on hogs