Missouri Hiking Trail Review: Bee Tree County Park (Followed by Kickbutt Food from Cafe Telegraph)

As usual, Mom and I made a day of our Saturday before the next snow storm blows in. (Turned our not to be much of a storm). I’m always researching different trails in our area in an effort to offer variety. I came across Bee Tree Park on the AllTrails app.

Bee Tree Park

Found just south of St. Louis, Bee Tree is part of the St. Louis County Park system. It features five trails (though we only found four), a 10-acre lake, nice picnic areas and playgrounds, and a great view of the Mississippi River. This park is found where the Meramec confluences the Mississippi. I was most attracted by walking the trail along the Mississippi.

Before I begin discussing the trails, let me just say that this park consists of very easy hiking trails that are short in length and “smooth” to walk on. This area would be a great place for beginners or youngsters. With its location close to the city, this would be a great place for a little fresh air and adventure if you need a quick break from the city or you are in the area visiting.

As I said, we found four trails. They are all considered loop trails, but intersect with another in several places. We were able to connect them in a way that we hit them all and made one big loop. (I say big, but we barely hike a few miles).

We started on the Crow’s Roost Trail, which is advertised as an .8 of a mile loop trail. This trail head is found at the parking lot closest to the river and you immediately start walking along the Mississippi River to a pavilion that has a nice overlook.

The trail eventually turns inland and goes up a rather long incline and winds around in the woods. Eventually it comes off the hillside and runs into the Fishermen’s Trail. This trail is .8 of a mile and circles Bee Tree Lake. It’s a nice easy walk around the lake. There is a parking area by the lake one can park if they just want to walk this trail.

At one point along the Fishermen’s Trail you run into the Cedar Trail. This very short loop (0.1 mile), takes you away from the lake up into the a grove of cedars.

After you completely circle the lake, you come to the Paw Paw Trail. This 0.5 mile trail will take you along some creeks that flow into the lake and then back up the hillside to the Crow’s Roost Trail and the Mississippi River. You’ve now completed a loop around Bree Tree Park!

Probably the most interesting historical component of the park is the Nims Mansion. Built in 1929 by Eugene Nims and his wife, the house and nearly 200 acres around it, was a weekend getaway for the couple who established Southwestern Bell. They called it “Bee Tree Farm.”

Eventually the farm was sold to a lawyer and his partner who worked with the federal government and they turned it into the park it is today. The house has an amazing view of the Mississippi River and is surrounded by some gardens that I imagine are absolutely beautiful in warmer weather. You can actually reserve the site for weddings and other special occasions.

Cafe Telegraph

After our “walk in the park” it was time for some food! Mom mentioned that a customer of hers owned a restaurant close by and heard it had a good reputation for great food. So Cafe Telegraph it was!

Offering brick oven pizza, bbq, and sandwiches, this place is worth trying. We met Matt, the owner, who was back working in the kitchen of course. He came out and talked to us about his 3 brick ovens, special Mardi Gras menu (it was Mardi Gras that day, and how everything was made from scratch. You could tell Matt was a real foodie and cared about the items he served to his clientele.

Matt brought us bacon strips for an appetizer. It was thick sliced maple bacon, covered in a Panko crust, deep fried, and served with Asian chili sauce. I’ve never had bacon quit like this. It was awesome!!

Mom and I ordered the Hawaiian pizza and the special Mardi Gras sandwich which was Andouille sausage, gringo cheese sauce, and peppers and onions on a hoagie with a side of red beans and rice. Both were amazing. Just the right amount of spice on the hoagie.

I loved it all but Mom was especially fond of the pizza. It had the perfect, crispy, crackery, thin crust. Matt said they make their pizza dough fresh everyday. The food paired nicely with the beer and Matt’s Drink (bourbon and cream soda).

Between the two of us we ate it all…like everything. I think our waitress was even impressed! Before we departed Matt came out and gave us some of his homemade “wineshine”. It was wine he made from Chambourcin grapes grown on the family farm, housed in a nice Ball mason jar!

If you’re looking for a great place to hang out with friends and watch a game or just enjoy some great food, Cafe Telegraph is your place. I’m especially excited to go back in the summer when they open the garage doors and make it a nice indoor/outdoor experience. I’m sure Matt will be in the pack, lovingly cooking his fantastic food!

After getting out belly’s full, Mom and I headed to IKEA to finish getting our “steps” in. I think it’s fair to say that we walked as much in “IKEA maze” than we did on the trail. As always it was a great adventure day!