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Visit the Reserve

 

Whether you are a tour operator, university group, community club or a group of friends, reservations are required for groups of 15 or more people. Call (314) 577-0850 or email to check availability. You can also customize your visit with a private tour.

Options

Bus Tour:

Our guides are available to step aboard your bus to narrate a tour that includes the Nature Reserve's history, plants in bloom, and restoration projects. It is important that the bus has a microphone and sounds system.

Additional stops can be made for a fee and include the Trail House or the 5-acre Whitmire Wildflower Garden. Participants can stroll through the garden or rest on shaded benches around the Bascom House. 

Availability 

  • April through October 
  • Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays; based on availability. 

Cost 

  • $100 for one-hour walk-on coach tour on the three-mile Loop Road. 
  • $50 per additional stop at the Whitmire Wildflower Garden or Trail House.   
Shaw Explorer:

Just like a bus tour, the Shaw Explorer tour can be customized for your group and additional stops can be made for a fee.

Availability 

  • April through October 
  • Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays; based on availability. 

Cost 

  • $150 for one-hour private wagon tour on the three-mile Loop Road for up to 20 people. 
  • $50 per additional stop at the Whitmire Wildflower Garden or Trail House.   
Walking Tour:

A guide will narrate while you walk on some of our 17 miles of hiking trails. You can choose to hear information on our ecology, native plant landscaping, or our history.

Availability 

  • April through September
  • Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays; based on availability. 

Cost 

  • $100 for one-hour private walking tour of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden for up to 15 people. 
  • $4 per additional person over the 15 person limit. 
  • $180 for groups larger than 20 people. Two instructors required. 
Presentations 
Shaw Nature Reserve staff are also available to give presentations on native plant gardening. Presentations can happen at the Nature Reserve or be brought to an offsite location. 
 

Availability 

  • October through March 
  • Wednesday or Thursday; based on availability.  

Cost: 

  • $150 for one-hour onsite presentation within the Carriage House for up to 30 people. Admission included with onsite presentation. 

  • $200 for one-hour offsite presentation within 35 miles of Shaw Nature Reserve. 

 

Important Information

Guided tour reservations must be made at least two weeks ahead of time!

Reservations:
(314) 577-0850

 

Getting Here

Shaw Nature Reserve is located off I-44, about 35 miles west of the Arch in downtown St. Louis. We are on I-44, Exit 253, Gray Summit. This is two exits west of Six Flags (Allenton/Eureka).

There are numerous side trips in the area of the Reserve that can be combined to your tour: Purina Farms, restaurants in Washington, Labadie, and Pacific, LaBarque Creek natural areas, antique shops in Washington and Eureka, wineries north of the Missouri River along Highway 94, the Black Madonna Shrine in Eureka, and Meramec State Park and Meramec Caverns near Sullivan.