Charbonier Bluff: the height of NoCo beauty

See that speck of a tower at the top of the hill? The challenging hike up there, to Charbonier Bluff, is a one-of-a-kind North County delight.

If you think the Gateway Arch is tall, imagine climbing up it…plus another 25 feet. That’s what you get when you hike to the top of Charbonier Bluff, the 655-foot historical and natural wonder that remains one of North County’s finest treasures and best kept secrets.

For more than 1,000 years, “La Charbonniere” (meaning “coal hill”) has served as a familiar landmark along the lower Missouri River, playing an important role in the lives of early pioneers and Native Americans. It was here that St. Rose Philippine Duchesne disembarked in 1819, preparing to establish a Native American Catholic school.

In May 1804, William Clark (of the Lewis & Clark expedition) described Charbonier Bluff in his journal: “The next morning we set sail at five o’clock. At the distance of a few miles, we passed a remarkably large coal hill, called by the French ‘La Charbonniere.’”

Even before that – long before that – the bluff was considered a sacred place for Native Americans. Burial grounds have been found in several areas there, including beneath two mounds (similar to those in Cahokia, IL) dating to the Mississippian period, 800-1400 A.D.

A short paved trail at the base of Charbonier Bluff, in the St. Stanislaus Conservation Area

One mound was partially excavated in 1837 by students from St. Stanislaus Seminary, which once leased Charbonier Bluff and built several buildings on it, including a chapel directly atop the excavated mound. The ruins of that chapel and other seminary structures can still be seen today, if you look hard enough.

On the other side of the bluff, just east of where Charbonier Creek and the Missouri River converge, evidence of two Native American villages also remains – just one reason why Charbonier Bluff was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995, largely due to the efforts of local resident Christy Love.

Most of the hikers who trek there probably don’t know that (or care), but that’s ok, because the bluff offers plenty of natural joys to see. In addition to lush woodlands, rolling streams and abundant wildlife at its base, if you can make it to the top of Charbonier Bluff, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views in nearly every direction.

I would post a photo of those views, including a gorgeous shot I took of downtown St. Louis, but I think it’s so much better if you earn it yourself. Both the journey and the destination are well worth the effort.

This is actually a great time to visit Charbonier Bluff, because the vegetation has died back, but be cautious if you go. During deer season, hunters are not uncommon in the surrounding river bottoms, and a portion of the bluff rests on private property, where trespassing is not appreciated. Please note that it is also illegal to disturb any of the archaeological sites.

Within St. Stanislaus Conservation Area, where most of Charbonier Bluff is located, you can enjoy 3.5 miles of gloriously primitive (and often steep) trails, some leading to the river, plus a half-mile paved loop trail, a small picnic area and dozens of nice, peaceful spots for fishing and bird watching. If you’re coming from Shackelford Rd, St. Stan’s parking lot will be about 2.8 miles down Charbonier Rd on the right. Just before it, on the left, is another small parking lot, which offers the most direct access to the bluff itself.

So what are you waiting for? Get hiking! And be sure to savor the view from one of the highest points in St. Louis County. Charbonier Bluff and the St. Stanislaus Conservation Area are open every day, 4am to 10pm.

Park in the lot across from this gate on Charbonier Rd, then take the trail that heads to the right, slowly winding your way up the bluff.

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