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Monarch Levee Trail and Highway 64/40 Bridge Missouri River Crossing

Chesterfield, MO

Mile: 51.3

The Monarch Levee Trail in Chesterfield offers easy access to the Katy Trail via the highway 64/40 pedestrian bridge. There is ample parking, as well as food, bike rental, restrooms, and general shopping options.

Scroll down for a map of the Monarch Levee Trail, the Highway 64 bike/pedestrian bridge, and how it connects to the Katy Trail.

Photo: rest stop near east end of Chesterfield's Monarch Levee Trail

Highway 64/40 Bridge

The bike and pedestrian bridge across the Missouri River is completely separated from car traffic, similar to the bridges in Jefferson City, Hermann, and the Page/360 bridge just downriver. There are a couple spots on the bridge where you can pull aside to enjoy the magnifient river views.

Photo: Heading west across the highway 64 bike bridge

Katy Trail Connection

On the Katy Trail side, you'll drop from bridge level to river level (or climb back up) by riding a large circular "cloverleaf". It's about 1/3 mile around the cloverleaf, so the grade is gradual enough that climbing is no worse than a mid-grade hill. And it's loads of fun going down!

This puts you on the Katy Trail at mile 51.3.

Photo: "Cloverleaf" heading down from highway 64 bridge to Katy Trail

Monarch Levee Trail in Chesterfield

This asphalt trail runs along the top of a levee for nearly 8 miles, with the Missouri River just behind the treeline.

From the highway 40 bridge, the trail extends nearly five miles to the east, ending next to Top Golf and just past Chesterfield Outlets. A sign at the end of the trail indicates plans for future expansion.

To the west, the Monarch Levee trail continues to Centaur Road, which is three miles from the Highway 64/40 Bridge.

Photo: Heading west between the bridge and Centaur Road

-Katy Trail

-Monarch Levee Trail

Parking at St Louis Premium Outlet Mall

Park at the northern end of the mall's parking lots - the side of the mall where you'll see the Calvin Klein sign. A small path connects to the trail.

Parking at Chesterfield Outlets

There is plenty of parking available at either far end of the mall's parking lot. The lot on the east end, between Club Fitness and Top Golf, puts you close to the eastern end of the trail. On the west end of the mall, the parking gets you close to River's Edge Park, which has gravel trails.

Photo: coming off the highway 64 bridge. St Louis Premium Outlets is to the left, the west end of Monarch Levee Trail is straight ahead, and the right turn heads under the bridge and on to the east end of the trail.

Shopping

Mall shopping and trail riding don't usually go together, but The Monarch Levee trail runs right past the St Louis area's two main outlet malls. Maybe you don't want to buy a new outfit while out for a trail ride, but having the malls nearby can be handy - for example, if you are on a multi-day Katy Trail ride and need to get an extra pair of athletic socks from the Nike Outlet, or swing by Sunglass Hut to replace a pair of shades.

Both malls welcome cyclists parking on the outer edges of their lots, near the trail. And both malls hope you'll drop in and spend some money.

St Louis Premium Outlet Mall is near the middle of the trail and close to the bridge. Chesterfield Outlets at the east end of the trail.

Across the highway from Chesterfield Outlets is the Chesterfield Valley shopping area, with every retailer and chain restaurant imaginable. However, the roads on that side of highway 64/40 have very heavy car traffic and are not bike-friendly at all. We suggest you do your shopping and eating at the outlet malls.

Some Distance Measurements

Monarch Leveee Trail - entire length

7.8 miles

East portion of Levee Trail (Chesterfield Outlets / Top Golf) to Highway 64 Bridge

4.9 miles

West portion of Levee Trail (Centaur Rd) to Highway 64 Bridge

2.9 miles

Distance across Highway 64 Bridge (from trail "intersection" to top of cloverleaf)

0.6 mile

Length of "cloverleaf" from bridge to Katy Trail

0.3 mile

Highway 64/40 crossing to St Charles trailhead (north/east)

11.8 miles

Highway 64/40 crossing to Missouri Research Park (south/west)

0.8 miles

Highway 64/40 crossing to Weldon Spring trailhead (north/east)

4.7 miles

Useful/Related Resources

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