August A. Busch Conservation Area

TRAIL
"This 6,987-acre area contains 3,000 acres of forest in addition to grassland, cropland, old fields, prairie, and wetlands. Facilities/features: boat rentals, picnic areas, pavilion, hiking trails, 43 fishing jetties, fishing docks, staffed firearms range, archery range, five viewing blinds, and a visitor center. The area also has 32 fishable lakes and ponds totaling 550 acres.  Hunting for a variety of wildlife species is allowed on the area. Special regulations exist for most of the hunting activities.  Area is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m." (from website)

Busch Hiking/Biking Trail in Busch Conservation Area is a lovely 3-mile loop trail. The trail surface is mostly gravel and sometimes uses the area roads. The trail is really made of two connected loops: one small loop and one larger loop. The trail is flat - no hills to speak of - and winds through mostly woodlands with nice views of a couple of lakes. There are lots of these really cool old concrete ammunition bunkers all along the way that remind you of a different era. The trail skirts the southwest edge of Lake 19 so the dogs can go in and get wet about half-way through the walk.

From Mary:  Info on How to find the Trailhead: 
Find the trail on the Busch Conservation Area map (link below): The trail is located in the north-west quadrant of the map and is marked BUSCH HIKING/BIKING TRAIL. The trailhead is located on the smaller (on the map it's the upper) loop.

When you drive in the main entrance, turn left at the stop sign. Drive 1/2 mile on paved road to a fork in the road (you'll see wooden signs on the right-hand side of the road marking Lakes 15 and 2). (Option - you can meet here at the gravel parking area at  Lake 15 and follow each other to the trail head).

To find the trailhead: (continuing from Lake 15): Make a slight right on to the gravel road. Stay on the gravel road. At 1.5 miles along the gravel road, you'll see a yellow diamond-shaped sign with an arrow pointing to the right to warn that there's a sharp curve in the road. When you see that yellow sign, slow down and make the next left into the gravel parking area where you'll see two gates. The trailhead sign (a wooden sign that says: Busch Hiking & Biking Trail/Length 3.0 miles) is leaning against one gate. Park in the small gravel parking area. The odometer in my car read 1.5 miles at the yellow diamond-shaped sign; and 1.6 miles at the trailhead parking area.

DIRECTIONS
Located in St. Charles County:  South on Highway 94 from Highway 40/61. West 1.5 miles on Highway D.

August A. Busch Conservation Area Map

Area Brochure