Sunflower season has officially arrived in St. Louis, and there’s no better place to soak it in than the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Columbia Bottom Conservation Area. Whether you’re snapping family photos, looking for a peaceful nature walk, or just want to let the kids explore something new, this sunflower-filled adventure is a must-do summer outing for local families or visitors!
Thanks to generous spring rains, this year’s blooms were a little late to arrive—but they’re now at their peak and expected to continue blooming through mid-August. The plantings are staggered, so different fields will bloom at different times, giving you multiple opportunities to catch the sunflowers in their full golden glory.
Know Before You Go:
Location:
Columbia Bottom Conservation Area
801 Strodtman Road, St. Louis, MO 63138
Take the Riverview Drive exit from I-270 and travel north about three miles.
Hours:
Open daily from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
Parking:
You can park along the roadside (as long as normal traffic isn’t blocked) or in designated parking lots. Signs throughout the area will help guide you to the fields currently in bloom.
Local Tip:
We visited around 1 p.m. on an overcast day and nearly had the whole place to ourselves! Cloudy skies also mean better lighting for photos and cooler temps for little ones.
Why We Love It:
????Easy drive from central St. Louis
????Plenty of space for kids to roam
????Ideal backdrop for summer family photos
????A unique and totally free way to enjoy nature
If you’re planning to visit, bring water, sunscreen, and bug spray! And of course your camera 🙂
For more information, click here!
