Hay Fever: Best Bets for Fall Hayrides

Jeffrey Konkel

Having just escaped a summer where temperatures fluctuated between the unbearable and the merely miserable, St. Louis families are reveling in the first cool blast of fall temperatures and are casting a hungry eye toward autumn fun. What better way to usher in the season than with a family hayride? For those of us not fortunate enough to have a farm and a wagon of our own, several local providers offer hayrides throughout the season.

St. Louis County Parks
Several parks are hosting hayrides this fall, many of which are coupled with bonfires or live entertainment. The rides range from $7-10 per person, depending on location.
• Cliff Cave Park – Sept. 30 (6-9 p.m.) with bluegrass music by George Portz
• Creve Coeur Park – Oct. 7 and 8 (6-9 p.m.) with bluegrass music by George Portz
• Jefferson Barracks – Oct. 14 and 15 (6-9 p.m.) with bluegrass music by George Portz
• Faust Park – Oct. 14 and 15 (6-9 p.m.) with storytelling, historic home tour and music
• Lone Elk Park – Oct. 21 and 22 (6:30-9:15 p.m.) with bluegrass music by George Portz
• Veterans' Memorial – Oct. 22 (6-8 p.m.) with bonfire afterward
• Greensfelder Park – Oct. 28 and 29 (5-8:45 p.m.) with bluegrass music by George Portz
• Fort Belle Fontaine Park – Nov. 5 (10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.) and Sunday, Nov. 6 (12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.) with historic re-enactments

For Fort Belle Fontaine Park reservations, call 314-544-6224, and for all other reservations, call 314-615-4386 or visit the St. Louis County Parks website.

Forest Park
Experience a taste of country in the heart of St. Louis during weekend hayrides in Forest Park. The Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry for the City of St. Louis offers these 45-minute rides on most Friday and Saturday evenings from Sept. 30 through Dec. 10. Following the rides, enjoy a warm bonfire. Families and other groups can rent wagons that seat up to 20 passengers. For details, call 314-289-5330. Wagons cost $120.

Eckert's Millstadt Farm
The Millstadt location of Eckert's Farms will host Haunted Hayrides every Friday and Saturday night from Sept. 16 through Oct. 29. Wagons wind through the orchards after dark as ghouls and goblins make their presence known. No reservations are necessary. Hayrides are included with the $10 Fun Farm admission.

Eckert's Millstadt Farm is located at 2719 Eckert Orchard Lane, Millstadt, Ill., 62260. Call 1-800-745-0513 for details.

Brookdale Farms
Brookdale Farms offers group wagon rides at their Twin Rivers Road location throughout the fall. Groups of up to 20 can rent a wagon pulled by a veteran tractor driver for an hour-long ride followed by an hour-long campfire. The cost is $150 per wagon. Groups looking for a truly unique experience can opt for the more expensive horse-drawn wagon rides for $350 per wagon.

Brookdale Farms is located at 8004 Twin Rivers Road, Eureka, Mo., 63025. Call 636-938-1005 for details.

Hammer's Farm
Although best known for their organically grown, grass-fed beef, Hammer's Farm also offers tractor-pulled hayrides each fall. Wagons, which accommodate up to 25 people, are available to groups at a cost of $210 on Fridays, $230 on Saturdays and $200 on Sundays. Hayrides last about 50 minutes and are followed by bonfires.

Hammer's Farm is located at 15310 Old Halls Ferry Road, Florissant, Mo., 63034. Call 314-838-5848 for details.