This Hiking Trail Is the Best Way to Experience a Full Moon in Missouri

As a full-fledged city person, I love my time exploring a metropolis. St. Louis is one of those cities where I love to wander around aimlessly. I lose myself in the bustling city life all around me. That said, anytime I'm amid towering skyscrapers and twinkling lights, I miss another kind of twinkle—that of the sky. Luckily, a night sky full of stars isn't too far off if you're in St. Louis. Even with the city center just 20 minutes away, you'd think it was much further afield from Stacy Park. It's here that you can enjoy a gorgeous full moon hike along Stacy Park Trail without going too far from the big city.

Stacy Park is a designated Urban Night Sky Place by Dark Sky International. This designation is given to locations that offers good sky views despite being in an urban setting, thanks to a park's active measures to preserve a dark sky atmosphere. Although you won't get the same kinds of sky shows as you would in more remote areas, such as Utah, which has the most dark sky parks in the world, you'll still see those twinkling stars. You know: the kind you miss when you call a major city home. Even with the gentle glow of city lights in the far-off distance, you'll still get the night sky you miss day to day—the kind you take for granted when you see it every night.

Speaking of night, remember that Stacy Park is only 35 acres; you aren't going there for extensive hikes. That means it's perfect for a gentle, relaxing stroll (which is my ideal kind of hike). At just shy of a mile long, the Stacy Park Trail loop takes no time at all to complete. But it gives you 20-ish minutes to figure out where you want to be to admire the full moon when she lights up the sky. You can wander along the path past fields, a lovely garden, and wooded areas where resident wildlife is either getting ready to slumber or scavenge all night. Since the park is typically open until 8 p.m., if you want to see stars with a truly dark sky on longer daylight summer days, you'll need to find an event—or wait until fall when the sun sets earlier.

One organization you can follow along with is the St. Louis Astronomical Society. This group organizes star parties throughout the year to showcase the night sky from Stacy Park. You can stay in the park area longer during these events, and if you don't own a telescope, volunteers from the society will have some on hand.

What I appreciate most about this trail is that it's accessible. Although you won't have as much truly dark sky as other places, this adventure is available for more people. Since the trail is paved, it's accessible for wheelchairs, mobility equipment, and strollers. You'll even pass some picnic tables along the way. So why not pack a star-cuterie platter and make an event out of it for yourselves?