There are a few places just beyond the Jefferson County borders that are close enough to claim or cool enough to covet, so that when someone mentions how close they are to our home, I wouldn’t dare correct them.
Magnolia Hollow Conservation Area is just downstream on the Mississippi River in Ste. Genevieve County, and Washington State Park has a De Soto address. The Jay Henges Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center gets its mail through a High Ridge Zip Code even though it is decidedly in St. Louis County.
It’s a stretch to try to make a claim on Gray Summit in Franklin County, but the Shaw Nature Reserve just past Pacific has hundreds of reasons to make you want to call it your own. This weekend the public is invited to see it for free in recognition of National Trails Day on June 3.

The 17 miles of hiking trails are just the beginning for this beauty, which legally belongs to Missouri Botanical Garden.
In cooperation with the state Department of Conservation, the nature reserve is hosting an Explore MOre event from 9 a.m. to noon for visitors to learn about nature and the habitats being preserved and restored at the park. Regular admission is only $5 for adults, so if you can’t make it this weekend, it’s worth the visit any other time.
At the special event, nature reserve and conservation department staff members will welcome guests to education stations ranging from history to habitats and much more. An event passport will be stamped at each location with chances to win prizes at the welcome center.
The St. Louis based Missouri Botanical Garden purchased five adjoining Franklin County farms in 1925 as a refuge for plants that were threatened by industrial pollution in the city. The mission continues to provide a protective environment for plant and animal species while educating the community about the importance of connecting with nature.
The natural areas restored on the 2,400 acres between Route 66 and the Meramec River include prairies, glades, woodlands and wetlands. Four miles of roads allow visitors to discover portions of the property from their vehicles.
Several historic buildings are also available for viewing at the reserve including a brick home built in 1879 for a Confederate army colonel, and a rustic stone and log pavilion that serves as a starting spot for several of the hiking trails.
The Dana Brown Overnight Center is a collection of buildings from the 1850s that were moved from their original locations and reconstructed on the site. The log and timber structures can be reserved for school groups, workshops or other events. The Sod House was built by the reserve staff to depict the type of home that would have been common on the country’s original prairies.
As mentioned earlier, the celebration on Saturday is in recognition of National Trails Day and Shaw Nature Reserves delivers for those looking to explore the outdoors on foot. Most of the trails are shorter than a mile in length, but the 17-mile network could provide a full day of hiking and discovery.
The longest trek in the park is the Rus Goddard River Trail at 2.5 miles. The loop can be steep as it passes through the natural surroundings en route to a gravel bar on the Meramec River. The trial is named for a long-time volunteer who helped maintain the pathways for more than 20 years.
Other notable hikes include the Wildflower Trail and the Bluff Overlook Trail that both are less than a mile and depart from near the Maritz Trail House. Both offer glade and river valley views. The Wetland Trail along Brush Creek is a fraction more than a mile and includes a 300-foot boardwalk and an observation blind and spotting scope for viewing plants and animals.
Members of the Missouri Botanical Garden can visit free year-round. For more information about the event or memberships call 314-577-9555 or visit missouribotanicalgarden.org
Originally published by Leader Publications June 1, 2023.