Laumeier Sculpture Park is the answer to the question of what to do when you have seen the museums and want art in the open air. It lies in Sunset Hills, in south St. Louis County, at 12580 Rott Road, about a 25-minute drive from downtown, and it is free to enter. The park is open daily from 7 am until 30 minutes past sunset, so you can visit at whatever time suits you. Large-scale sculptures sit in open meadows, among old trees and along creek beds, and some of the best pieces reveal themselves only as you walk along the trails. The park's featured work is the Laumeier Cairn, made in 1994 by the British artist Andy Goldsworthy, and the park's calendar for 2026 includes the Begin Again: Wak'a Garden installation on the South Lawn outdoor galleries, which runs through April 2029, as well as a 50-year anniversary exhibition at the Aronson Fine Arts Center that runs through 13 December 2026. The Aronson hosts indoor exhibitions, with restrooms at the Way Field, the Carriage House and the Aronson building. The site also runs guided hikes and workshops, some free and some ticketed, which are listed on its calendar.
How to visit
The park is a short drive from Interstate 270 and Interstate 44, and a car is the practical way to reach it. Walk-in visits cost nothing, but workshops, guided hikes and some events require registration and sometimes a fee, so check the calendar if you want to join one. In November 2026, for example, the schedule includes a fossil-themed guided hike that needs a reservation. The indoor gallery has its own hours, which are posted separately on the park's site, so confirm them if the exhibition is your priority.
What to expect
Paths are a mix of paved and grass or dirt, so wear shoes you do not mind getting muddy after rain. The park rewards slow walking: there is a lot to see in the first fifteen minutes, but the more rewarding pieces are farther out on the trails.
Families will find plenty of room for children to run, and the park posts its rules for pets and visitors on its site. Take a camera and a layer, because weather can change quickly on the open lawns, and bring water in summer when shade is patchy.
Making the most of it
Aim for a morning or late afternoon, when the light is soft and the park is quiet. Combine the visit with a stop at Citygarden downtown if you want to compare a compact urban sculpture garden with a rolling suburban one, or pair it with the Saint Louis Art Museum for a day devoted to art.
Allow an hour or two on foot, and longer if you add an exhibition or an event. The park is a calm contrast to the Arch and the riverfront, which makes it a good choice for a second or third day in St.
Louis. If you are visiting in late autumn or winter, remember that the park closes around sunset, so plan to arrive in the early afternoon, and that bare trees make the sculptures easier to see from a distance. In spring and summer, wildflowers and long evenings make the park especially pleasant, and the creek beds are good places for children to explore under supervision.
What to expect
The experience
A free outdoor sculpture park with trails, meadows, creek beds and an indoor gallery building.
Best time
Mornings and late afternoons, and spring through autumn for the most comfortable walking.
How long
One to two hours.
Tips
Wear shoes that can handle mud, check the calendar for hikes and workshops that need a reservation, and confirm the gallery's hours separately.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Art lovers, walkers, photographers and families who want space to roam.
- Families
- Plenty of room for children to run among large sculptures.
- Couples
- A relaxed outdoor walk with big, surprising artworks.
- Pair with
- Citygarden downtown or the Saint Louis Art Museum.
- Time needed
- One to two hours.
Good questions
Is Laumeier Sculpture Park free?+
Yes. The park is free to enter. Some workshops, hikes and events require a reservation and a fee.
What are the park hours?+
The park is open daily from 7 am until 30 minutes past sunset. The Aronson Fine Arts Center has separate hours.
Where is Laumeier Sculpture Park?+
It is at 12580 Rott Road in Sunset Hills, in south St. Louis County, a short drive from Interstates 270 and 44.
What is the featured artwork?+
The Laumeier Cairn, made in 1994 by Andy Goldsworthy, is the featured work.
Are there indoor exhibitions?+
Yes. The Aronson Fine Arts Center hosts indoor exhibitions, including a 50-year anniversary show that runs through 13 December 2026.
