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Hike the Hills and Hollers at St. Francois State Park in Bonne Terre, Missouri
Mooner’s Hollow and Swimming Deer Trails St. Francois State Park is a hidden gem tucked in the forested Pike Run Hills. Less than an hour drive from St. Louis will bring you to this delightful park which boasts several trails, a crystal clear stream, a campground, and the Big River for boating activities. This quiet oasis contrasts with a colorful past history of outlaws ranging from Civil War guerrilla fighters who hid in caves to moonshiners operating illegal stills. This…
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Rugged Canyons and Rushing Waterfalls at Missouri’s Don Robinson State Park Sandstone Canyon Trail
Length: 4 miles or about 2.5 if you use the connector plus an additional 0.6 miles of paved trail round trip from the trail head Difficulty: 3 out of 5, some moderate up and down hills. Can be muddy and slick after a good rain. Scenic Value: 4 out of 5 Don Robinson State Park is a site that has been on our bucket list to hike for the past couple years. This newer park located near St. Louis climbs…
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Exploring Pomona Natural Bridge & Quetil Trail near Alto Pass, Illinois
What do you do when your are feeling like winter is dragging on and you get a sunny 50 degree day in February? If you are a Midwest Nomad, you go hike! We decided to head out Saturday morning to combine two short and easy trails near Alto Pass, Illinois into one morning adventure. These trails are both located in the scenic and diverse Shawnee National Forest boundaries. Both of these trails were new hikes for us which just adds…
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Climb Among the Giants at Missouri’s Elephant Rocks State Park
Elephant Rocks State Park is one of the most scenic and fun state parks in all of Missouri. This family friendly park features scenic views, rugged landscape to explore, and short and easy hikes for all ages. The park gets its name from the unique and massive granite boulders that stand on end like a train of circus elephants. The largest of these boulders, known as “Dumbo” is estimated to weight 680 tons! The oldest commercial granite quarry in the…
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Waterfalls Views at Tanyard Creek Nature Trail in Bella Vista, Arkansas
Since we have family in northwest Arkansas, we make the trek to this region several times a year. Each trip we try to explore a different attraction. One of the highlights of our latest trip to the Natural State is the hidden gem of Tanyard Creek. The Tanyard Creek Nature Trail is located in Bella Vista, not far from the Missouri border. This beautiful trail was built by volunteers and donations to create a stunning slice of nature right in…
