What we’re about
For dog lovers who are ready to go "BEYOND THE SIDEWALK" with our best friends. Our main goal is to actually spend quality time with our pups doing fun things, instead of just hurrying through the daily grind of walking around the neighborhood.
You don't need to own a dog, but you'll have to tolerate ours. We stop often to water the dogs, take pictures, and play in creeks/rivers/lakes.
Usually, we have 2-3 events/week, year round.
When it's cold, we hike. Usually, we hike 6-15 miles/week in cool weather.
When it's hot, we kayak. Some easy lake paddles, some 10 mile river trips.
When it's nice weather, we camp. Campouts will include kayaking/hiking.
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In 2025, after 12 yrs of free membership, we have found it necessary to establish a $15/year membership fee. There is a 30 day free trial, but after that you will need to pay the dues to attend/participate in our events.
YOU MUST BE A MEMBER TO ATTEND EVENT. You'll need to answer our membership questions, pay the dues (after 30 day trial), RSVP like other members do, and abide by our rules if you want to hang out with us.
Leave the negative talk about family or politics at home, just bring a sense of humor and enjoy the day.
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IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A POWER HIKING/PADDLING GROUP, THIS IS NOT IT!
The pace of our hikes/paddles is more relaxed, and our groups are smaller. We take our "goof off" time seriously, especially if there's a puddle, creek, lake or river around. If you're in a hurry to burn up the trail, you won't like our group.
You do have to be reasonably fit for most of our hikes, which average 3-6 miles long.
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WE HAVE RULES & WE ENFORCE THEM! BE SURE TO READ THEM. It's no fun having to correct people on the trail. Please just read them.
Keeps our dogs and people safe and happy. By joining our group, you acknowledge that you have read these rules and agree to abide by them. You obviously hike at your own risk and are responsible for your own safety and your dog's safety.
If you don't like these rules...or think they don't apply to you...you should not join our group!
NO RETRACTABLE LEASHES, 6' max
NO INTACT MALE DOGS....THIS IS NOT OPEN FOR DISCUSSION.
KEEP YOUR SHOTS UP TO DATE. We do not check this.
Please use tick preventative on your dogs, for their safety. Trails are often wooded.
Bring water for your dog....this is important, even if you don't think so.
Stay to the right on the trail, just like driving a car. We don't own the trails.
Arrive a bit early and be ready to go, we hit the trail/launch at the scheduled time.
Please leave the political or negative talk at home, no one wants to hear it.
PACE OF HIKE is set by event hosts. New members, do not take over and lead the pack.
If your dog is mean or aggressive, you will be asked to leave.
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REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP:
• A picture that clearly shows either you or your dog...prefer one of your dog!
• A real name for you and your dog
• Your dog's name, breed and age.
IF YOU DO NOT SUPPLY THESE THINGS, YOUR MEMBERSHIP WILL BE DENIED.
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Upcoming events
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CHRISTMAS DOG WALK at Queeny. Our best hike for first timers.
Queeny Park, 550 Weidman Rd, Ballwin, MO, USA great trail, and your dog should be reasonably clean when we finish.
If you're new to the group, this one's for you. Queeny is our "party hike", one that almost all people & dogs can enjoy. Easy to meet & greet on wide open trails. Usually our most well-attended hike.
NEW PEOPLE....PLEASE READ ENTIRE WRITEUP AND WRITTEN DRIVING DIRECTIONS. There are 2 entrances off 2 different roads, and there are 8 parking lots. We lose newbies here all the time because they go to the wrong parking lot.
Good in almost any weather. This is where we go when it's too nasty to go anywhere else. Trails are mostly gravel and some paved with no mud. Pretty much level. Two small hills.
PACE OF HIKES: Our pace is about 2 mph, which is reasonably moderate. If that's not what you want...don't sign up. If you're a fast walker, plan on slowing down and enjoying the company. Don't be in a hurry, slow down and talk to people.
TREATS: Please, don't bring treats for your dog. If you must give your dog treats, walk away from the group and don't let other dogs share your dog's treats. We've had dog fights in the past over this, don't want it to happen again. Please respect this rule.
NO GUEST DOGS, our hikes are for member dogs only. Human guests okay, but you're encouraged to come alone and socialize. It's a good park for conversation with your fellow pack members.
About 4 miles, allow 2.5 hours.
• ON LEASH AT ALL TIMES, they're very strict here
• NO RETRACTABLE LEASHES...dangerous in a group. 6' max length
• Comfortable walking shoes okay here, trail is gravel/paved
• Bathrooms after about 1 hour of hiking
• BRING WATER FOR YOUR DOG! THIS IS IMPORTANT!
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DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
If you don't read directions, you'll probably be hiking alone. There are 2 entrances and 8 parking lots. We hit the trail promptly at 10:00, with or without you. Arrive a little early and be ready to go at 10:00.
WORTH REPEATING: We lose newbies here all the time, because they go to the wrong parking lot. Please read driving directions below, come to the right parking lot!
USE MAPPING FEATURE TO GET TO PARK, WEIDMAN ROAD ENTRANCE.
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MEET AT THE UPPER PARKING LOT.
When you turn into the park, (Weidman Road entrance) go up the big hill and take the FIRST ROAD ON THE LEFT AT THE **TOP OF THE HILL ** to the parking lot. If you go back down the hill and see the Rec Plex building, you're in the wrong place.
We gather near entrance to parking lot, on the left. Hard to miss us with all the dogs.
Allow 15 minutes from 270/Manchester.
If you want to view/print a park map, click on link below
https://stlouiscountymo.gov/sites/default/assets/pdfs/department/Parks/Queeny/QueenyTrail_small.pdf2 attendees
2nd ANNUAL HOLIDAY CAMPING & HIKING, Robertsville State Park
Robertsville State Park, 902 State Park Drive, Robertsville, MO, USLET'S RING OUT 2025 IN STYLE. CAMPING, BONFIRES AND HIKING !
This might be our group's favorite little campground close to STL. Only about 25 miles from Valley Park area, down Hwy 44. Everybody liked it when we went here in 2024 for our very rainy holiday campout.
Only 27 sites, spaced away from each other for privacy. Not all have electricity, but those that do will have it available. None will have water in the off season, so bring your own.
An electric blanket and good extension cord are a must-have, they should keep you warm. Don't forget blanket and cushy bed for your dog.
We'll figure out Saturday dinner when we see who signs up. Plan is to hike on Saturday. It's a great little trail, pretty easy and it follows a creek for about a mile.
HIKING BOOTS REQUIRED for safety.
POLES are a good idea too, especially if there's any mud.
CELL SERVICE is good here, as I recall.
RESERVATIONS: They do not take reservations, it's first come/first served. When you pick a site, be sure it has electric. About half of them do not. You'll need a heater or electric blanket.
Here is link for park. You can see map of campground and trails.
PARK MAP
If you rsvp "yes", comment below what days you arrive/leave. I'll be there Friday morning until Sunday. No camper, just tents this time. Will try to post my site when I get there. Suggest trying to stay closer to entrance where the vault toilet and water is.
KAYAKING: No kayaking planned at this time, we'll just hike and bonfire. But, always subject to change. There's a great little 5-6 mile run, if the stars align.
BRING PLENTY OF WOOD FOR 2 NIGHTS AND 2 MORNINGS! Camp host has firewood, and there's a Quick Trip type store on the road right by the entrance.6 attendees
ROBERTSVILLE STATE PARK DOG HIKE
Robertsville State Park, 902 State Park Drive, Robertsville, mo, USSOME OF US ARE CAMPING THIS WEEKEND AT ROBERTSVILLE STATE PARK. Come join us on Saturday morning for hiking on two trails. This is a great little hidden gem of a park, just about 25 miles from Valley Park.
HIKING: Combined, it's 3.5-4 miles. Allow 3 hours, once we get started. Some hills, dirt trails. We can drive on down to the river afterwards to let the dogs play. There are also a couple of old graveyards to explore, one is very close to campground. Trails are pretty easy. The second one is mostly level along a creek. I posted some pics from 2024 hike.
Wear hiking boots and bring poles if you use them. Trails are easy but can be muddy after a rain. There might be some shallow drainage ditches to cross in wet weather.
STARTUP TIME is not carved in stone It depends on how fast we all wake up and have our coffee. Starting time of 10:00-ish at campground. Be at campground no later than 9:30. We'll drive to trailheads from there. Parking at trailhead is very limited, so we'll carpool. Only about 1/2 mile.
Bring your own coffee.
Startup will be before 11:00, probably close to 10:00, based on previous experience.
Robertsville State Park | Missouri State Parks
CAMPFIRE: You're welcome to stay for Saturday night campfire, but bring food for yourself and your dog. There is no water in off season, so bring plenty of that for you and your dog too. There will be some electricity, but the campers have first rights to that. Dogs must be leashed at campground at all times, 10' max leash.
Please be sure to let us know if you're planning to stay for the evening fun.
WHERE TO FIND US: We cannot make reservations in the off season, so will post here when we know what campsites we have and exactly where to meet. It's a small campground, only 27 sites, so not too hard to find us.
Vault toilet at beginning of campground.7 attendees
Past events
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