Nuclear Waste Adventure Trail
- Admission
- Free
- Hours
- Trails open daily from sunrise to sunset; Interpretive Center open daily 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Duration
- 1-2 hours
- Parking
- Free on-site parking available at the Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center
- Access
- The Interpretive Center is fully wheelchair accessible. The path to the top of the disposal cell is paved but has a steep incline.
Climb to the top of a giant, 75-foot-tall mound containing 1.5 million cubic yards of encapsulated radioactive waste. This unique destination features panoramic views of St. Charles County alongside an educational interpretive center. It is one of the only places in the world where you can hike directly over a nuclear disposal cell.
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Located just outside St. Louis, the Weldon Spring Site was once a bustling ordnance works and uranium processing plant during World War II and the Cold War. Today, the contaminated remains of the facility are safely entombed beneath a massive, 45-acre limestone dome known colloquially as the Nuclear Waste Adventure Trail.
Visitors can hike up a winding gravel path to the summit of the 75-foot-tall disposal cell, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding St. Charles County. At the base, an excellent interpretive center provides interactive exhibits detailing the site's history, the massive cleanup effort, and the area's ecological restoration.
This unusual destination masterfully blends environmental history with outdoor recreation. It stands as a striking monument to the atomic age and a testament to modern engineering and environmental remediation.
Ratings
attractionVisitor Tips
- ◆ Stop by the indoor Interpretive Center first to get valuable historical context before climbing the dome.
- ◆ Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, as the path to the top is steep and composed of loose gravel.
- ◆ Bring binoculars to fully enjoy the sweeping, 360-degree views from the summit platform.
- ◆ Explore the surrounding Howell Prairie, one of the largest hand-planted prairies in the state.
Heads Up
- ◆ The climb to the top is entirely unsheltered and can become extremely hot, reflective, and windy.
- ◆ Stay strictly on the designated viewing paths; climbing or walking on the rock chat of the disposal cell is prohibited.
Common questions
Is it safe to climb the Weldon Spring disposal cell?
Yes, it is safe to climb because the radioactive waste is entombed under a 41-acre cap of thick clay, soil, and rock that blocks radiation. Continuous monitoring by the U.S. Department of Energy ensures surface radiation levels are safe for visitors.
Can you take a wheelchair or stroller to the top of the mound?
No, the path to the top of the disposal cell consists of a steep staircase and is not wheelchair or stroller accessible. However, the interpretive center and the surrounding Howell Prairie trails are fully accessible.
Are dogs allowed on the Weldon Spring disposal cell trail?
Yes, leashed dogs are allowed on the outdoor trails and the stairs leading to the top of the disposal cell. Dogs are not permitted inside the indoor interpretive center.