Innsbrook Impresses. Innsbrook Resort delivers a surprising escape just an hour west of St. Louis, earning a solid 8.2/10 for its ability to make you forget you're still in Missouri. The scattered A-frame cabins and winding lake views create a genuine getaway vibe, even if the winter months aren't quite as charming as spring and summer. It's the kind of place that makes you want to buy property every time you visit, which says something. The hiking, playground, and lake activities provide enough entertainment for a long weekend without feeling crowded or overdone. Just know you'll need to bring your own food since the local dining scene is basically nonexistent, and an all-wheel drive vehicle is pretty much required if you're venturing past the main roads.
We've been hitting up Innsbrook about twice a year since moving to St. Louis back in 2019. Our friends own a place there and let us use it, which is incredibly generous of them. We first went just a couple months after moving here because people kept telling us it was the perfect weekend escape.
They weren't wrong.
The drive out is only 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. You head due west into the countryside, and suddenly you're pulling up to a gated community that feels nothing like St. Louis. The whole place is modeled after Innsbruck in Austria, with the same setup of small houses clustered around a series of interconnected lakes. Everything's either an A-frame cabin or a compact townhouse tucked into the woods. It's got this European mountain village vibe, even though you're still technically in Missouri.
Walking through the entrance, you immediately notice how different it feels. The roads are narrow, basically one and a half lanes, with a 23 mph speed limit that everyone actually follows. There's not much traffic, so it stays peaceful. But here's the thing: the secondary roads that wind back to some of the cabins get pretty rugged. We're talking steep hills and off-road conditions, especially in winter or after rain. If you're staying anywhere past the main entrance area, you absolutely need an all-wheel drive or 4x4. I won't even go when it's actively snowing because those roads get sketchy fast.
I've been there with snow on the ground, and even that makes me nervous.
If I could choose, I'd always rent closer to the entrance. Less weaving through back roads, easier access, and you still get the full Innsbrook experience. The deeper you go into the property, the more you're committed to navigating those tight, hilly paths.
Innsbrook Experience Summary
Here's what really stands out about Innsbrook: it makes you feel like you've actually left town.
For being so close to St. Louis, that's impressive. The combination of the lakes, the woods, and the isolated cabin setup creates this genuine escape atmosphere. Every single time we go, I find myself looking at real estate listings. It doesn't make financial sense with two small kids since we already visit three or four times a year, but the urge is real. That's probably the best endorsement I can give.
The place works best as a one or two-night getaway. You've got enough activities hiking, fishing, exploring the lakes, hanging at the playground to fill a long weekend without getting bored. Push it to a full week though, and you might run out of things to do by day three or four unless you're really into repetitive hikes or spending entire days by the water.
If I were older without kids, I'd probably love it for a longer stay. Bring some books, catch up on work with a lake view, just decompress for a week. It'd be perfect for that. But with young children who need constant entertainment, the sweet spot is definitely two to three days.
The seasonal difference is huge. Spring and summer are when Innsbrook really shines. The lakes are accessible, the weather's nice for hiking, and the whole property feels alive. Winter visits are fine, but you're basically limited to the playground and indoor activities since it's too cold to fully enjoy the outdoor amenities. We still go in winter, but it's a different experience.
Innsbrook Things To Do
Most of the activities at Innsbrook revolve around being outside. Hiking is the main draw year-round. The trails wind through the property, offering different views of the lakes and woods. Nothing too strenuous, but enough to feel like you're actually out in nature.
The lakes themselves are the centerpiece. Most cabins that sit on the water have their own little dock setup. You'll see canoes tied up, fishing stations, that sort of thing. It's not big boating activity, more like peaceful lake life. If you're into fishing, you can easily spend hours out there.
The community center playground deserves its own mention. My kids spend at least an hour there every visit, usually longer. The whole thing is animal-themed with wooden cutouts of bears and forest creatures worked into the design. It's only got two slides, but there are tons of little nooks and hiding spots that kids love crawling through. Bring a ball and you're set for even more time.
Surprisingly fun for what it is.
The community center itself has a pool and exercise facilities, but I'm pretty sure you need to be a member to use them. I've only gone in to use the bathrooms and snap some pictures. There's a lady at the front desk who checks people in and out, but I never asked about guest access. If you're staying for multiple days in summer, it's probably worth investigating whether you can get temporary access.
Beyond that, Innsbrook is really about slowing down. Walking around the property, sitting by the lake, enjoying the quiet. If you need constant entertainment, this might not be your spot. But if you want to unplug for a weekend, it's perfect.
Innsbrook Details And Info
Here's where Innsbrook gets a bit more complicated than a standard hotel stay. When you arrive at your rental, you typically need to turn the water on yourself. When you leave, you turn it off. It's more involved than just walking into a room with a key card, so be prepared for that.
The internet in the cabins is functional but not fast. You're out in the middle of nowhere, so that's expected. It works fine for basic browsing and streaming, but don't plan on doing anything that requires serious bandwidth.
GPS usually gets you all the way to your specific cabin, but cell service can get spotty toward the back of the property. Download your directions before you arrive if you're staying in one of the more remote locations.
About food: there are no good restaurants nearby. We've tried the local diner for breakfast a couple times. It's fine. Very standard diner food, nothing special, but cheap and served by actual mom-and-pop owners. Don't go expecting anything memorable.
They recently opened a small market on the property that sells coffee, which is a huge improvement. Before that, you had to hit the clubhouse at exactly the right time to even have a shot at getting coffee. Now there's at least a general store option if your rental doesn't have any.
Bottom line: bring all your own food. We usually stop at a grocery store on the way, or we've grabbed takeout from restaurants along the route. Plan ahead because you're not going to want to drive back out for supplies once you're settled in.
I honestly don't know the rental prices since we haven't paid in over a year. Friends have told me it's not cheap, but also not outrageous for what you get. Just factor in that you'll need to supply everything yourself, which adds to the cost.
Parking At Innsbrook
Each cabin has its own parking situation. You'll pull right up to your rental, so parking isn't really an issue. The challenge is getting there on those narrow, winding roads. Once you arrive, you're set.
Innsbrook Receipt
Innsbrook Resort User Reviews
Leave a Review