FORISTELL — Located just 11 minutes south of Troy is a 603-acre parcel of land, featuring scenic valley views, two miles of Big Creek frontage, and many wonderful amenities.

Located at 2679 Dietrich Road in Foristell, this parcel of land is commonly referred to as Indian Camp Creek Park.

This park offers more than 10 miles of paved and natural surface paths for walking, running, hiking, biking, and horse riding. This versatile park also provides camping, disc golf, fishing, playgrounds, picnic shelters, an observation tower, a homestead, and a historic cemetery.

The historic cemetery and homestead locations have signage that explains the history of both unique features. The observation tower, located next to the homestead, appears as an old grain silo. Parkgoers can climb the steps to the top of the tower and view the park from a unique perspective.

The multi-use trail system connects the entire park. Whether looking to stroll down a smooth asphalt path, hike a more challenging elevated terrain or jog on a shady, natural path in the woods, there’s a path to fit every need at Indian Camp Creek Park.

Trails are also accessible for bike and horseback riders. There is a designated equestrian parking lot with convenient access to the park’s trail system.

Parkgoers can use any of the 10 paved parking lots located throughout the park and find access to a trail suited to their interest. There is a Quick Hike Challenge Map for Indian Camp Creek Park available on the St. Charles County Parks website (www.sccmo.org/2279/Parks-Recreation) to help pre-map a route.

Newcomers to the walking routine who want to start with a shorter, casual walk can use the half-mile, paved trail around the lake, located at the center of the park. This path follows closely to the edge of the lake and is made up of paved path and elevated boardwalk.

Anyone who wants to increase the length of their walk use either of the two paved trails that branch off from the lake loop. One trail will take walkers toward the front gate and the other connects walkers to Shelter 3 and the Indian Camp Creek Loop.

A notable feature of the Indian Camp Creek Park trail system is almost every trail is interconnected. There are also trail signs located throughout the park providing location information for anyone using the trail system.

Anyone looking for a longer walk on a paved surface should park at Shelter 3. From Shelter 3 there is easy access to the asphalt pathway located along Indian Camp Creek Loop drive. The entire loop it is a two-mile walk with a gain in elevation on the back half.

Shelter 3 provides quick access to both paved and natural surface trails for joggers.

Another wonderful feature of the Indian Camp Creek Park trail system is there is minimal interaction with motorized traffic. Other than a few designated pedestrian crosswalks on the Indian Camp Creek Loop, the trails are designed for walker, hiker, biker, horseback rider (equestrian) use only.

As mentioned, the trails are only part of the amenities available at Indian Camp Creek, which has hours from 7 a.m. until 30 minutes after sunset. For more information about this park go to www.sccmo.org/665/Indian-Camp-Creek-Park