Dresser Island Conservation Area Register

Date and Time:
Tue, Jan 20, 2026; 10:00 AM (Central)

Organized By: Eastern Missouri Group

Location: Dresser Island Conservation Area, West Alton, MO

Map | Directions

Event Organizers:
Richard Armstrong
   rickarmstrongpi@gmail.com
   (314) 691-4613

Title: Day hike on Dresser Island, West Alton MO

Estimated time and distance: 5.8 miles in 3 hours

Directions: Access MO-94 from either I-370 near St. Charles or from MO-67 in West Alton.

• From 370: Drive MO-94 East for 16.8 miles. Just as MO-94 takes a sharp right turn, turn left on Dresser Island Drive – drive 0.2 miles past a farm to a parking lot.
• From MO-67 in West Alton: Drive MO-94 west 4.9 miles. Just as MO-94 takes a sharp left turn, turn right on Dresser Island Drive – drive 0.2 miles past a farm to a parking lot.

Description:  With no bugs and hiking on a wide mowed trail maintained by the MDC for duck hunters, this is an ideal winter hike.  Crossing the bridge to Dresser Island, we will hike this VERY flat 5.8-mile loop.  For about half of the hike, we’ll walk along the Mississippi River with great views of the bluffs above Illinois’ Great River Road.  I hope to see some ‘interesting’ waterfowl – bring binoculars if you wish.  And we’ll check out a couple interior “ponds” where ducks may accumulate.  

Backcountry:  Being remote and long enough, Sierra Club defines this as a Backcountry event.  Each hiker needs to complete and turn in a Sierra Club Local Medical form.  These is a blank form on the event description on the EMG calendar. The leader will collect these, carry them, and return them at the end of the hike.  It is most convenient if these are completed and brought to the hike but the leader will have blank forms at the trailhead.  

Difficulty: Easy but a bit long. It is extremely flat along a grassy road/trail. MDC keeps the grass cut. We will maintain a moderate pace – about 25-minute miles.

All participants must sign a Sierra Club Liability Waiver and bring a Medical Form. Please RSVP and sign the Waiver online at the Eastern Missouri Group [EMG] Sierra Club website.
 

Level: Easy

Cost: A one dollar per person Sierra Club donation is requested. Dollar bills would be appreciated.

Bring: Bring water and a snack for lunch. Dress in layers.

Signup Restrictions: Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome if they can handle 6 miles of hiking. Guns are prohibited.

Additional Directions: There are no restrooms anywhere nearby. If you see a gas station, stop! Leader will be driving a RAV4 with license number starting with GB6.

Cancellation Policy: This hike will be cancelled for extreme cold or wet conditions.