• Hiking,  Kids,  Missouri

    Lake of the Ozarks State Park – Rocky Top Trail

    Lake of the Ozarks State Park is Missouri’s largest state park and is located along the shores of one of the state’s biggest lakes. The park offers many options for adventure and outdoor recreation. First established in the mid-1930s by the National Park Service and turned over to the state in 1946, the park features log buildings and rustic bridges built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. While recently visiting Lake of the Ozarks, we had a wonderful time exploring a…

  • Hiking,  Illinois,  Kids

    Giant City State Park Post Oak Trail

    Giant City State Park is one of our favorite kid-friendly parks to explore in Illinois. The trails are mostly short, easy, and scenic. The Post Oak Trail is the easiest trail at the park. Recent improvements have made the marked 1/3 mile loop ADA accessible and stroller friendly. You can also venture off the paved path for even better overlooks and blufftop views. Post Oak Hiking Trail Distance: 0.3 mile loop on paved path. Longer if you explore unpaved paths.…

  • Hiking,  Illinois,  Kids

    Prowl Impressive Bluffs at Panther Den Wilderness

    Panther Den is a southern Illinois hike that we had meant to do for years, but never got around to. I was a little wary about the trail reports I had read where people had trouble finding the trailhead or following the trail. Well, we finally made the trip and this Shawnee National Forest hike was easy to follow and amazing to see! Read on to learn how to hike the Panther Den Wilderness Trail. Panther Den Wilderness Hike Distance:…

  • Day Trip,  Hiking,  Kids,  Missouri

    Walk the Streets of a Ghost Town at Old Greenville, Missouri

    When it comes to the idea of ghost towns, you probably think of rickety buildings standing in the mountains or deserts of locations far west. But you can find some interesting ghost towns in Missouri as well. You can view the streets, sidewalks, and foundations of a 200 year old town at Old Greenville Recreation Site in southeastern Missouri. History of Old Greenville Greenville was first settled back in 1818 and was established as the county seat of Wayne County.…

  • Day Trip,  Hiking,  Kids,  Missouri

    Exploring Sam A. Baker State Park

    Sam A. Baker is a gem of a state park in Missouri. This state park is one of the oldest in Missouri and offers a great mix of lodging, hiking, and water recreation. The Civilian Conservation Corps left its mark on the park in the 1930s and it is evident in the beautiful stone structures found throughout the park. Things to Do at Sam A. Baker State Park Visitor Center The Visitors Center is a great spot to start when…