As hilly as most of Missouri is, it isn't hard to find great sledding hills.  In fact, you might even have one right in your own backyard!  You will notice that most of these listed are in or near cities.  Unlike the more rural areas, cities have a little less access to such hills, and areas often have to be designated for such activities.  This is most likely the reason why information on hills in the more southern rural areas was a little harder to find (and may be more secret).  However, we still managed to find the best places to go sled riding in Missouri this winter when it snows!

1. Art Hill in Forest Park, St. Louis

Probably the most popular and well-known sledding hill in St. Louis, Missouri, is Art Hill in Forest Park. The hill, located in front of the St. Louis Art Museum, offers a slope that is nearly as wide as it is long. This allows for the large crowds to still have plenty of room to tackle the hill and not run into each other. The hill is the perfect level of steepness. While still exhilarating for older enthusiasts, it’s not extreme enough to be too much for the younger kids. If you haven’t been, you’ve got to go at the next sign of snow. Art Hill is located at 1 Fine Arts Drive in St. Louis.

2. Sullivan City Lake Park, Sullivan

Although this is not a designated sledding area, it is allowed. The hill is located at Sullivan City Lake Park. With a crazy 70-degree slope, and some hazards and obstructions, it’s best to be extremely careful. It’s also probably not for little kids. It’s a large hill on the back side of a dam. After leveling off at the bottom, it then goes into a wooded area so drag your feet towards the bottom to slow down or you'll risk going into the woods. In addition, people usually build a ramp towards the bottom. The ramp is more for the daredevils because you are rarely able to stay on the sled after hitting it, but it’s tremendous fun for older kids or adults.

To get to this hill from St. Louis, take I-44 to Exit 225, turn left and cross the over pass. Take the first right onto the south service road in front of the Cracker Barrel, go about ½ mile. Turn left on Highway D towards the hospital. Go another ½ mile then make a right on Sappington Bridge Road. Make the next right hand turn past the hospital and you'll be able to see the lake. The hill is located on the back side.

Check out this video:

3. Suicide Hill, Brookside Park, Kansas City

Suicide Hill in Brookside Park is well known for being the best sledding hill in Kansas City. It’s a public hill with about a 55-degree slope and 300 to 400-feet long. The park IS pretty much the sledding hill. There is a tennis court on top and a baseball diamond at the bottom. It is a very fast hill with some bumpy parts, so choose your path wisely from the top for the ride of your choice. This hill is located at 56th Street and Brookside.

Check out this video:

4. Cardiac Hill, Southeast Missouri State University

Cardiac Hill is one of the steepest hills at a University full of hills. It is a popular sledding spot, with people sliding down on everything from typical sleds to inflatable rafts or dining trays. It is located on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University.

We’ll just let you watch:

5. William Jewell College, Liberty

William Jewell College has a designated sledding hill that is about 400 to 500 feet long. It’s a pretty smooth ride, but has a couple trees at the bottom of the hill you can easily avoid. In fact, you are just about stopped when you get to them. You can park anywhere but the easiest thing is to park at the top of the hill. The area is shaped like a bowl except for at the bottom, with two shallow sides and the middle being the steepest.

6. Keystone Park, Blue Springs

Family-friendly Keystone Park is tucked away in an established residential neighborhood, and consists of 42 acres of land. It is the place to be in Blue Springs when it snows, and is home to the largest sledding hill in town. It is located at 2214 SW Keystone Drive.

7. Doling Park, Springfield

This challenging hill requires dodging a few trees and bailing off your sled at the end to avoid going into the creek. Located on the northwest side of Springfield, Missouri's Doling Park, the hill also has a bunch of rocky outcrops. This provides the opportunity for great jumps, as do the smaller ramps near the top and the big one at the end. Obviously, this is probably not the spot for very young children. Located at 2600 N. Robberson Avenue in Springfield.

8. St. Joseph Cathedral, Jefferson City

Although this hill is located on private church property, sledding is permitted. A popular spot when it snows in Jefferson City, you can expect pretty big crowds. The 35-degree, smooth and bumpy slope has a dip in the middle that is great for jumps. The hill opens out into a field. Choose the perfect spot for the ride of your choice. The St. Joseph Cathedral is located at 2305 West Main Street.

9. Lake Springfield Park, Springfield

When you enter Lake Springfield Park on East Lake Springfield Park Road, take your second right at the Hilltop Pavilion. Just east of the playground you will find the sledding hill. This hill has a great combination of length and steepness… so fun to go down that it almost makes you forget about the long walk back up. There are no trees or obstacles, although some people might make ramps if the snow cooperates. The nearby lake provides some great scenery. The hill gets much shorter and more smooth and gradual as you move north, perhaps better for younger kids. Located at S. Kissick Avenue.

10. Suicide Hill, Aurora

This designated sledding spot in Aurora, Missouri, has both smooth and bumpy slopes up to 300 feet long. There is a ditch at the bottom of the hill with a four foot drop off to be careful of. There is also a bridge to walk across. The hill is located off business 60.

11. Hyde Park, St. Joseph

This public park in Missouri has a designated sledding hill located in the back corner of the park. The hill has both smooth and bumpy slopes about 30-degrees steep and has a few hazards. For one, at the bottom of the hill there is a dip. There is usually enough room to stop after the dip, but if you continue sliding too fast, you can end up in the parking lot. Hyde Park is located at 8th & Hyde Park Avenue in St. Joseph.

12. Warrenton City Public Pool, Warrenton

This Missouri sledding hill has a 40-degree, smooth slope up to 300 feet long. It is located next to the Warrenton city public pool, next to the parking lot. The pool is located at 314 S. Morgan in Warrenton.

What is your favorite place to go sled riding in Missouri? Know of any other great spots that you are willing to share? (Or maybe you just want to keep it to yourself to avoid crowds.) Have any great sledding photos or videos from your sledding exploits in Missouri? Share them in the comments below.