St. Louis has no shortage of big urban parks, but Carondelet Park in the city's south stands out for an unusual reason: much of its charm comes from sinkholes. Back in 1913, engineers linked nine of these limestone depressions to create Horseshoe Lake, turning what could have been a nuisance into the park's centerpiece. Its second lagoon, Boathouse Lake (called Lake Eridan on Google Maps), was formed the same way, and other sinkholes still show up as gentle hollows across the grounds.

The park covers around 180 acres, making it the city's third-largest. Rolling terrain, stone-walled paths, mature oaks and hickories, and a handsome boathouse and recreation center give it a feel that's distinct from downtown's more formal green spaces. It's about a 15-minute drive from downtown, or roughly 30 minutes on the MetroBus from Midtown.

Fishing is the main draw. Boathouse Lake is stocked seasonally with channel catfish, hybrid sunfish, and rainbow trout by the Missouri Department of Conservation, and it has a 4-star rating from 27 reviews on the fishing app Fishbrain. A T-shaped dock makes it easy to cast from. Horseshoe Lake is the spot for largemouth bass, with fish reported up to 20 inches. Angling is allowed year-round, though most visitors will need a Missouri fishing license — daily permits are available online.

Not into fishing? The main 2-mile loop trail circles both lakes and weaves through lawns and woods. AllTrails rates it easy, with about 100 feet of elevation gain from the undulating sinkhole-shaped terrain. Regulars recommend branching off onto side paths to catch more of the park's features, including picnic pavilions and historic structures.

There's also a bit of two-wheeled history here: Federer's Folly, St. Louis's first mountain biking trail, runs a mile through the park with mild bumps that suit both kids and experienced riders.

For travellers, Carondelet works well as a half-day escape or part of a wider park-hopping itinerary. Pair it with Tower Grove Park near downtown for an easy tour of St. Louis's green side, or head about 30 miles out of the city to Young Conservation Area if you want free-entry fishing and trails in a wilder setting.

Story credit: Islands.