The community of Spanish Lake is located in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. Its population is estimated to be 18,413 at the 2020 census. A variety of recreational activities are available in Spanish Lake, from boating to hiking. Camping is also an option.
Camping
Spanish Lake, Missouri is an excellent location for camping, with great scenery and tons of fun activities. We’ve reviewed some of the best campgrounds near Spanish Lake to help you decide where to stay. Most of them offer full hookup sites with small grassy areas, and some also allow dogs. Most of these sites have a dog walking area around the perimeter. You’ll need to plan ahead and make sure to check the weather before arriving.
Spanish Lake is located in northeast St. Louis County, and is bordered by the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Over 5,000 acres of Spanish Lake are protected parkland. In addition, there are numerous hiking and kayaking trails, as well as many caves and springs. The Missouri Department of Conservation maintains an educational visitor center, which offers interpretive programming, as well as boat access.
The Weston Bend Recreation Area has a three-mile paved trail and a scenic overlook. The park also has 35 campsites, and a dog park with pens for small and larger dogs. In addition, you can camp out in the Bee Creek Shelter, which can accommodate up to 125 guests.
Hiking
Spanish Lake, Missouri, has a variety of hiking trails. The Lakeside Trail forms a loop around the lake and is popular with hikers, cyclists, roller bladder riders, and fishermen. It’s also a great place to watch the migration of waterfowl. There are modern restrooms along the trail and drinking water.
Spanish Lake is home to the Fort Belle Fontaine County Park. The historic fort was where Lewis and Clark spent their last night. Visitors can hike the trail through a restored 50-acre upland prairie. This trail features an interpretive sign explaining its geology and history. You can also learn about the discovery of the Lark sparrow in 1819 and the discovery of prehistoric mammal fossils in Coldwater Creek.
River’s Edge Trail: The River’s Edge Trail is a three-mile linear trail. You can start at the boat ramp and head east on the natural surface trail. From there, you can continue the trail on the paved Confluence Trail. This trail offers excellent Missouri River views.
Boating
Spanish Lake is located in north St. Louis County and was originally called Spanish Pond. It was built in 1767 as a recreation area for Spanish soldiers stationed at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The name Spanish Pond was used until the late nineteenth century, when the Spanish Lake Commission changed it to Spanish Lake to appeal to tourists. Until the mid-1980s, Spanish Lake was still an unincorporated community.
Fishing
If you’ve ever wanted to try bass fishing, you may have considered Spanish Lake. The lake is known for its great crappie population and is home to one of the best crappie runs in the country. These bass spawn in shallow water and are known as sac-a-lait in other parts of the country. However, you may not have heard about its other bass fishery.
The lake is open all year around and is a great place to go fishing and boating. Visitors can also enjoy the picnicking area and hiking trails. The crime rate in Spanish Lake is 66.5 percent, which is slightly higher than the national average. However, you should note that the FBI does not provide crime statistics. Spanish Lake is in the parish of Ascension. It is located at 30deg17’30”N 91deg02’12”W.
Boating around Spanish Lake
Boating around Spanish Lake, Missouri, can be a great way to spend your weekend. There are several recreational areas surrounding the lake that are open to the public, including Larimore Park and Spanish Lake Park. These areas feature fishing piers, tennis courts, picnic sites and bike trails. The park is also part of the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, a 4,318-acre area that offers educational programs and nature-based recreation.
Camping at Spanish Lake
Camping at Spanish Lake, Missouri is a great way to experience the outdoors. The campgrounds offer plenty of activities and stunning views. You’ll find over 400 RV, camper, and trailer rentals at the area’s campgrounds. There are Class A motorhomes, Class B campervans, and Class C campers, all with varying levels of amenities.
The park’s campgrounds are fully reservable, with the exception of a few walk-up sites. Although reservable sites can be found at any time, it’s advisable to call ahead to make sure that your site is open. Weekend reservations require a two-night minimum stay. Potable water is available in the campgrounds, with a frost-free spigot located near campsite 1.