Fort Belle Fontaine

Walk a 3-mile trail past 1930s WPA stone ruins and the Grand Staircase to the Missouri River at the site of the first US fort west of the Mississippi.

13002 Bellefontaine Rd., St. Louis, MO 63138 · St. Louis, MO

About Fort Belle Fontaine

Fort Belle Fontaine was set up in 1805 as the first American fort west of the Mississippi River and also served as a trading post; troops left for Jefferson Barracks in 1826. In 1938 the Works Progress Administration built limestone structures here, including the Grand Staircase, and their ruins line the trail today. The 305.6-acre St. Louis County park takes in the Missouri River, Belle Fontaine Spring, Coldwater Creek and a 50-acre prairie and wetland. The 3-mile Lewis & Clark Interpretive Trail links all four areas. Guided tours are $5 per person for groups by reservation.

#historic site
#hiking
#wpa ruins
#lewis and clark
#missouri river

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