Sherman Beach Park, Ballwin MO

You are not going to BELIEVE what me and my mom found here. So, I love collecting crystals and finding them in nature. We found SO. MUCH. AGATE. I even found a small piece of amethyst! And we also found some mother of pearl shells that were just stunning! PACK YOUR BAGS AND TAKE YOUR KIDS HERE! IT IS SO FUN! FIND SOME BEAUTIFUL QUARTZ CRYSTALS AND AGATES HERE <3

This is a beautiful place to go usually.but it’s been trashed recently and so busy since covid hit and people found lesser known beaches.also in the summer of 2020 i was 21 and we were drinking and people were jumping off the bridge.it’s 70 feet high.i jumped and back flopped and broke my back in two spots.it’s literally like hitting concrete.and it looks calm and shallow but there’s a strong undercurrent and it swept me away and from not being able to move i started drowning.luckily my friend was up top too and saw me and ran down to save me.i see people jumping from there all the time and are fine but they expect it to be shallower and it to be calm waters but it’s super dangerous, especially because most people on the beach are drinking.another man drowned in june of 2021 i believe and another woman before.those are just recent ones.i was only 21 and am a great athlete and have gone cliff and bridge jumping many many times before.i had no clue how harsh it was going to be.i know i was greatly stupid but just please be careful.i have to live the rest of my life with a broken back now because of one stupid decision.never jumping off a cliff or bridge again though lol pls watch out and want people! And if u see anyone doing it make sure you see them come back up! Could save someone’s life.

One of my favorite walking areas nearby. Usually a fairly quiet walk along the river, there's a rocky beach when it's not flooded. No swimming allowed. The Al Foster (gravel trail) is a nice long mostly straight path along the river through the woods. There's some old railways and bridges and it connects to other trails like the Rock Hollow Trail. There's also a small sandy/dirt loop on the left side of the parking area that's nice also, less trafficked

Nice day kinda crowded walked for 5 min down the beach to a spot further down we were able to enjoy some shallow water and not have people in your face, the beach here is large rock and I recommend water shoes or slides the terrain and pathway to the beach is not the greatest but better than a TV screen!

Clean water, nice and peaceful place. The water is constantly flowing so current kinda strong. Just be careful.

Not much there besides access to the Al Foster and Stinging Nettle trails as well as Meramec River access at a huge gravel bar.

The parking lot is an out of the way drive for most people. If you're going on the Al Foster trail, it's probably more convenient to park at the Glencoe trailhead.
This is the nearest parking lot for the Stinging Nettle Trail and the nearest legal way to reach the Cedar Bluff Trail.
It's about 100 yards to the river. There's no boat ramp: the lack of ramps between Route 66 State Park and Valley Park makes this section of the Meramec peaceful with almost no motorboats. Not many paddlers.
The gravel bar is good for viewing trains.
Signs say swimming and wading are not allowed.
This area was more interesting before they demolished the large old gravel mining structures downstream of the parking lot.

Very nice place but if you don't get there early your not going to be able to park any where and if you park on the grass don't be mad when you come back to your car and have a ticket because they do not play down there.

Great access to 2 trails that connect to Castelwood State Park. Less people than Castelwood, very peaceful. Beautiful scenery walking in the woods along the Meramec River in St Louis.

A lot of the trail still under water but you can head back towards Glencoe instead for a good long walk. Can be quite crowded but go super early to avoid most of the people. A few different connecting trails to add difficulty and a more challenging hike.

The river has moved the gravel bar so you have to look for the trail to get there.
There is now a portable restroom here. Thank you.

Sherman Beach Park is lovely and seems to have something for everyone. There is the Meramac River shore to fish, wade in, skip stones and relish as well as a variety of trails along the bluffs and riverside. Fall is a spectacular time to be there. In the age of COVID-19 people politely social distance and step aside for the frequent visitors riding bikes or running. Be careful not to park on the drive way to the parking, we saw cars being ticketed for parking there. The only downside is that I saw is no bathroom facilities.

Seems off the beaten path even though it's not. Lovely place, I just wish people would pick up after themselves, lots of broken glass and trash.

It has a small parking lot that gets full, especially on summer days. Lots of people from about 10 am until 5 pm.

Adjacent to a few trails that are heavily used by cyclists.

The path to the gravel bar can get super muddy after rain and/or high river levels. Check with NOAA website for Meramec River levels before packing up the car with gear if you are planning on wading or swimming.

There is no lifeguard (obviously as it is the river) so swim at your own risk.

Very little shade during the summer as well so pack sunblock and or a pop up shade structure or Umbrella.

Fun time by the river! Depends on the day as to the quality of the water-muddy vs clear (for the meramec.). Parking is an issue. Small parking lot, have seen park rangers giving tickets out to those who are not parked in designated spots. Park "illegally" at your own risk!

My kids and I have been all over the missouri parks this summer. We live in willdwood where this park is located many times. I have never been down the path to Sherman beach. We usually go fishing right as you enter the park. This time we brought the kids bikes and they found Sherman beach. I was shocked in the best way. We took the bike path from wildwood all the way to the beach. It is 2.5 miles each way so you aren't supprised. I can not belive I didn't know about this place. They have a parking lot right next to the area that we will definitly use next time. The kids were able to wade into to river as the adults fished in the honey pot of the river right next to it. Definitly a rocky beach but worth it completly. I am only giving it 4 stars becuse of the extensive hike it took to get there. Next time we will definitly start at the Sherman beach parking lot.

Too many large rocks that hurt your feet, no benches, no sheds, no water fountain, the trail need to be pave.