The city of St. Louis is surrounded by beautiful rivers and landscapes. From farms to streams, to big rivers, there is a lot of beauty surrounding St. Louis. If you feel like getting out on the road, here are nine of the best back roads and scenic drives neat St. Louis:

1. The Great River Road in Alton, Illinois
Alton, IL, USA
Google Maps
The Great River Road runs alongside the Mississippi River to Alton and offers unbelievable views.

Come along on a motorcycle ride on The Great River Road:

2. The Great River Road, Grafton, Illinois
Grafton, IL 62037, USA
Brian Bennett/flickr
The breathtaking views continue along the Mississippi and limestone bluffs are hard to beat.
3. Route 94 to Augusta, Missouri
Missouri 94, MO-94, Augusta, MO, USA
wikimedia/Agne27 at English Wikipedia
Route 94 takes you through Missouri wine country and Augusta, Missouri. Augusta is located on the bluffs above the Missouri River Valley and offers amazing wineries with spectacular views.

See what it’s like to ride on Route 94 in Missouri:

4. Hwy 94 to Hermann, Missouri
Hermann, MO 65041, USA
Carl Belken/Google
Hermann is further past Augusta off Route 94 and a unique town in the Missouri River Valley filled with wineries, music festivals, and food festivals. Art galleries, shops, and breathtaking views make this drive well worth the effort.
5. Historic Route 66
U.S. Route 66, U.S. Rt. 66, Springfield, MO, USA
Wayne Walk Jr./Google
Route 66 will take you all the way from St. Louis to California. Along the way, you will see unique landscapes, towns, roadside attractions, people, and food.

Check out all the cool attractions along Route 66 in Missouri:

6. West on 70, then North on 79
Clarksville, MO 63336, USA
Nicholas Willard/Google
This route will take you to Clarksville, Missouri. You will drive along the bluff and get amazing glimpses of the Mississippi River. When you get to Clarksville you can watch barges go through the locks.
7. St. Paul Road near Castlewood State Park in West County
Castlewood State Park, 1401 Kiefer Creek Rd, Ballwin, MO 63021, USA
Google Maps
St. Paul Road is not a well-known road near Castlewood State Park. The road will bring you down to the Meremac River through the beautiful landscape. There are a handful of little unique towns you may not even know exist!
8. Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood, Missouri
Rockwoods Reservation, 2751 Glencoe Rd, Wildwood, MO 63038, USA
Fredlyfish4 (Own work)/Wikimedia Commons
Rockwoods Reservation is 1,880 acres in Wildwood. It is a scenic drive and there is plenty to do in the park.
9. Lone Elk Park, Valley Park, Missouri
Lone Elk Park, 1 Lone Elk Park Rd, Valley Park, MO 63088, USA
Alan Lanzer/Google
Lone Elk Park is an amazing little piece of nature right next to Highway 44. You drive through the park and are able to view bison, elk, deer, wild turkey, and waterfowl in their natural habitat.

There are so many great and scenic drives near St. Louis with a view, let us know in the comments about more roads we may not know about! For more great scenic drives throughout Missouri, check out these 15 country roads around the state, and get ready for your road trip!

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More to Explore

Road Trip Attractions in Missouri

William Suphan | August 21, 2023

What are the most underrated attractions in Missouri?

The most underrated attractions in Missouri include:

  • Lone Elk Park. If you’re into wildlife, come here to see elk, deer, wild turkeys, bison, and much more. 
  • The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. This is the largest collection of antique toys in America and is a wonderful palace for nostalgia.
  • Seal Life. This aquarium in Kansas City has more than 30 exhibits where you can learn about and interact with all manner of sea creatures.
  • Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum. Come see the place where the “Little House on the Prairie” books were written.

Discover more about the most underrated attractions in Missouri. 

What are the most hidden natural attractions in Missouri?

The most hidden natural attractions in Missouri include:

  • Engelmann Woods Natural Area. There is an old-growth forest here as well as a cave and vibrant wildflowers.
  • Prairie State Park. This is a place where you can hike along several trails surrounded by wildflowers and bison.
  • Bluff Dwellers Cave. These caves are spread over 3,000 feet and are full of history and beauty and there‘s a nearby museum.
  • Lover’s Leap. Climb to this overlook and see stunning views of the small town of Hannibal and the valley and river that surround it.

Learn more about the most hidden natural attractions in Missouri. 

What are the best farmer’s markets in Missouri?

The best farmer’s markets in Missouri include:

  • City Market. This is perhaps the largest farmer’s market in the state and has rides for kids, entire flats of flowers, and tons of locally-made items.
  • Greater Springfield Farmer’s Market. This huge market has produce, crafts, art,  and so much more and it takes place at Battlefield Mall.
  • Hannibal Central Park Farmer’s Market. You’ll find baked goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, and a selection of goods from the local Amish community.
  • Briarcliff Farmer’s Market. This market in Kansas City has locally-made products, houseplants, and crafts, and you’ll enjoy live music.

Find out more about the best farmer’s markets in Missouri.

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