Parks, shopping and highways are easily accessible in Byrnes Mills
Byrnes Mill offers a natural setting and a convenient location, about 30 miles southwest of St. Louis. Big River, a tributary of the Meramec River, flows along the suburb’s west side. Several parks with float launches, fishing spots and hiking trails dot the waterway, all of which are a draw for homebuyers. “A lot of families live here because there’s so much to do outside,” says Robyn Johnson, the owner-broker of Premier Real Estate Pros, who has sold multiple homes in the area. Fast-food restaurants and big-box stores line State Route 30 on the community’s eastern edge. The highway also connects with Interstate 55 to reach St. Louis, where most residents work. “Byrnes Mill is a great place for people who need to be near the city, but also want to be far enough away to feel like they live nowhere near it,” Johnson says.
Houses often sit on half-acre lots here
Housing includes mid-20th-century ranch styles and early 2000s New Traditionals. The median lot size is around a half-acre, with many houses densely shaded by pine and oak trees. Some properties also back up to the residents-only Lake Montowese with docks and boat slips. The median single-family home price here is around $482,000, which is slightly higher than the national median. Smaller homes can cost between $160,000 and $250,000, while bigger houses typically range from $300,000 to $600,000. Byrnes Mill Farm is a mobile home community on the west side of town. Parts of Byrnes Mill are in FEMA-designated high-risk flood zones, where flood insurance is mandatory.
Fishing, hiking and floating on the Big River
Several green spaces are located along the Big River. “If it’s nice out, everybody in this area wants to be near the river in some capacity,” Johnson says. At Byrnes Mill Park, anglers may catch smallmouth bass and catfish from the river’s grassy shoreline. Hikers trekking the area's hardwood forests often pass by the ruins of the town’s original grist mills and the Hagemeister House, a log cabin dating back to 1871. In October, the park hosts the Byrnes Mill Fall Festival, which features artisan vendors, bounce houses and a petting zoo. Rockford Park has a launch for paddleboats and floats, with the river’s rapids earning a Class I rating. However, the water can become faster and more challenging to navigate after heavy rainfall. The Northwest Branch of the Jefferson County Library, near the community’s northeast corner, offers book clubs, craft workshops and story times. Byrnes Mill is also within 10 miles of a few 18-hole golf courses, including the private Fox Run Golf Club and the public Sugar Creek Golf Course. Thrill-seekers will find over 45 roller coasters and rides at Six Flags St. Louis, less than 15 miles northwest.
Northwest High offers technical courses with Jefferson College
Northwest R-1 School District serves Byrnes Mill. Kids can attend Cedar Springs Elementary, which Niche grades a B. They may continue to Valley Middle and Northwest High, both of which earn B-minuses. The high school partners with Jefferson College, about 17 miles south, to offer technical courses like culinary arts, carpentry and business management.
Byrnes Mill has several big-box grocery stores
Aldi, Walmart Supercenter, and fast-food restaurants like Taco Bell and McDonald’s, sit at the intersection of Route 30 and High Bridge Boulevard. Johnny’s Hideout is a sports bar and live music venue popular with motorcyclists traveling along Route 30. Several other drive-throughs and Slingers, a classic breakfast diner, are near Byrnes Mill’s southernmost corner. Fenton, about 12 miles north, is home to more big-box stores and the SSM Health St. Claire Hospital.
The commute to St. Louis can sometimes take over an hour
Though locals often walk dogs and push strollers along the community’s wide roads, Byrnes Mill is a car-dependent community. Route 30 connects with I-55 to reach St. Louis, home to the St. Louis Lambert International Airport. The highways often get traffic-heavy during rush hour. “The earlier you leave for work, the better,” Johnson says. “It can take upwards of an hour to get into the city if you get caught up with all the other commuters.”
