Outdoor Stories

Former tech executive and Hall of Fame athlete helped grow African American distance running from five clubs to more than 500,000 runners.

River City Outdoors has announced the return of its Outdoors for All Grants program, offering one-time grants of up to $5,000 to support community-focused outdoor recreation projects across the Greater St. Louis bi-state region.

In celebration of National Bike Month, Big Muddy Adventures (BMA) is inviting locals and visitors alike to explore downtown St. Louis on two wheels — for free.

This summer, Big Muddy Adventures (BMA) takes the helm of boat and bike rentals at Creve Coeur Park, promising a seamless transition and proven expertise. For those wanting to get their feet wet, the message is simple: Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards will be ready to go with no major changes to hours or on-water access. What’s new is BMA’s decades of experience running rentals and guided trips on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers — a track record of trusted operations that

The Gateway Outdoor Summit returns on August 20, 2026, bringing together leaders, advocates, and changemakers shaping the future of outdoor recreation across St. Louis and beyond. The event will be held at .ZACK and The Key STL (3224 Locust Street), a centrally located, creative venue designed to foster collaboration and conversation.

New data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis shows outdoor recreation continues to grow as one of Missouri’s strongest industries, contributing $10.7 billion to the state’s economy (2.4% of state GDP) and supporting more than 90,500 jobs.

While the Boathouse at Forest Park will be closed for renovations in 2026, paddling, bike rentals, and special events continue with Big Muddy Adventures.

In November, River City Outdoors awarded $20,000 in grants to eight community organizations working to expand access and equity in the St. Louis outdoors.

Big Muddy Adventures (BMA) has expanded its rental offerings in St. Louis with a new bike stand at the Gateway Arch.

The Gateway Outdoor Summit returns this fall with nationally recognized speakers and thought leaders addressing the future of outdoor recreation in Missouri and beyond. The one-day event, scheduled for Friday, November 14, at the St. Charles Convention Center, will explore how expanding access to the outdoors can strengthen both community well-being and the regional economy.

River City Outdoors has announced the return of its Outdoors for All Micro-Grants program, which awards one-time grants of up to $5,000 for community-focused outdoor recreation projects in the Greater St. Louis bi-state region.

The first-ever mountain bike trail in St. Louis City, Federer’s Folly was built entirely by volunteers with support from private donations. The new trailhead is located at the intersection of Livingston Drive and Holly Hills Boulevard and was funded by a River City Outdoors (RCO) “Outdoors for All Micro-Grant.”

Our inaugural Annual Report does more than showcase numbers — it reflects River City Outdoors’ vision to build a durable outdoor culture in St. Louis where access isn’t a privilege and nature becomes a space for healing, recreation, and community for all.

Missouri’s premier gathering for outdoor recreation is back. The Gateway Outdoor Expo + Summit will return to the St. Charles Convention Center on November 14-16, promising its biggest and most immersive experience yet for adventurers, nature lovers, and industry professionals alike.

The Mound City Film Series will be screened monthly at 4 Hands Brewing Co.’s downtown location from April through September.

“Camping gear is expensive, and not having it is a huge barrier to getting outside, especially for larger families and friend groups,” says

Three St. Louis-based organizations were awarded funding as part of the new Outdoors for All Micro-Grants.

Funded by Vail Resorts, the five-week Epic for Everyone program offers ski lessons, ski gear, transportation, and dinner to children from St. Louis recreation centers and after-school programs.