One of St. Louis’ most beloved dining spots, the Boathouse at Forest Park, will be closed for renovations in 2026.
That means no smashburgers while you watch ducks waddling by, no Reuben sandwiches while you observe people kayaking on Post-Dispatch Lake, and no toasted ravioli while you ponder the hike you’ll take after lunch to burn off your toasted ravioli.
But don’t worry. The Boathouse will eventually reopen, bigger and better than before.
Planned improvements include an outdoor bar with a bandstand, a new dock, additional green space, and a roofed pavilion for special events.
Plus, not everything related to the Boathouse will be closed this year.
Big Muddy Adventures will continue offering boat and bike rentals during its normal season, starting April 1.
This includes paddleboats, canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and mountain bikes.
The only change is that they’ll operate from a temporary trailer and use a new dock entrance just northwest of the existing Boathouse location.
Big Muddy Adventures will also keep offering classes and events on Post-Dispatch Lake, including paddleboard yoga and Golden Hour, a social paddle for adults 60 and over.
A final note: During construction, the Boathouse parking lot will be closed. To reach the Big Muddy Adventures rental shop, park in the southwest corner of the Visitor Center lot and take the path through Langenberg Field to the rental dock on Post-Dispatch Lake.
For more information, visit here.
Update: The Boathouse Beer and Wine Garden Pop-Up is now open daily from 11am-6pm, weather permitting. It’s located just north of the Boathouse — right next to the Big Muddy Adventures rental shop.
Author: Shawn Donnelly is the managing editor of Terrain.
Top image: Paddleboard yoga on Post-Dispatch Lake at Forest Park. (Reiss Wegman)