Route 66 State Park: From Environmental Catastrophe to Tranquil Oasis

Located on the banks of the Meramec River in Missouri, these public grounds were created as a result of an environmental disaster. In the 1980’s it was discovered that the town of Times Beach, Missouri, was contaminated with dioxin pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency stepped in and bought the town, evacuating residents. The community was leveled to the ground and sanitized. Nature slowly reclaimed the property over the next decade making way for what would become a beautiful state park. Founded in 1997, this recreation area is made up of 419 acres, and sees over 250,000 visitors each year. In addition to park amenities like boat ramps, picnic tables, and trails, Route 66 State Park houses some incredible Mother Road memorabilia. Stop by the visitor’s center to view the first historic 66 marker and learn about the park’s transformation from a residential community to its current state.

One of the most interesting aspects of this land is that you can still see remnants from the original town, such as town roads which cut through the park. The visitor center itself is located in what used to be the Bridgehead Inn. It’s an interesting blend of history and modern natural design. There’s a beautiful bridge in the park named The Route 66 Bridge which used to connect the park to the visitor center. It is currently closed due to safety concerns, but plans to restore access are in place for 2026.

If you’re able to stop and enjoy a stroll in this beautiful public park, enter East-bound on Interstate 44 at exit 265. Exit 266 in either direction will take you to the visitor center.