Fort Belle Fontaine
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Parking available
A historic county park and former trading fort west of the Mississippi River, featuring limestone ruins and a grand staircase.

šŸ“œ Fort Belle Fontaine was the first U.S. military installation west of the Mississippi River, established in 1805. It also served as a vital trading post and is now a St. Louis County park with ruins and trails.
šŸ” Listed on the National Register of Historic Places as an archaeological site. #Why Go
šŸ° Explore historical limestone ruins and the Grand Staircase.
šŸŒ³ Hike a three-mile multi-purpose trail along the Missouri River.
šŸ¦… Discover the natural beauty and wildlife observed by Lewis and Clark.
šŸ“ø Explore significant archaeological site. #Why Avoid
āš ļø Entrance shared with an active youth detention center, requiring a checkpoint stop.
ā³ Original wooden fort structures are gone; current ruins are from a 1930s WPA project.
šŸš« Metal detectors are not allowed on the property. #Cost
šŸ’° Guided tours $5/person. #Hours
šŸ•’ Daily, dawn to dusk; gates open by 8 a.m. #šŸ…æļø Parking Visitors directed to parking areas after stopping at a guard house.

Last updated 7 days ago

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