The Goddard River Trail is a 2 and a half mile loop beginning at the Maritz Trail House. This trail features many wonderful wildflowers: in spring, a hillside, lush with bluebells, brings flower-enthusiasts from all over to the Nature Reserve. In summer, the gravel bar on the banks of the Meramec River allows hikers to see the river up close. Parts of Goddard River Trail are steep, but certainly rewarding for those hikers seeking lovely natural sights. Description: The top left and bottom right corners, respectively, read, "Nature for All, Nature Forever"; in the top right, a picture of the Meramec River and our gravel bar; in the bottom left, a picture of the Goddard River Trail with blooming wildflowers on either side. 📸: Phoebe Mussman & Rebecca Pavelka (fb)

Spring Beauties are widespread in Missouri, growing in open woodlands, fields, and on lawns; they can be identified by their small white or pink petals with distinct pink veining. Spring Beauties are also sometimes called fairy spuds because they grow from potato-like corms, which are great treats for many woodland animals. Description: On the left, a picture of Spring Beauties; on the right, a close up picture of two flowering Spring Beauties being visited by a bee; below, text that reads, "Spring Beauties are common early spring wildflowers in Missouri. The flowers emerge and vanish before tree cover shades them out!" 📸: Matilda Adams (fb)