Discover Pulaski County, Missouri: Where Route 66 Meets Outdoor Adventure
Nestled in the heart of the Missouri Ozarks along historic Route 66, Pulaski County is a true hidden gem with family-friendly attractions, outdoor adventures, and historic charm. Just a short, scenic drive from St. Louis (about 2 hours), Kansas City (around 3.5 hours), and Springfield (75 minutes), Pulaski County offers the perfect escape for all ages. Whether you are looking to explore the outdoors, learn about local history, or get your kicks on Route 66, Pulaski County should be on your radar.
Things to Do in Pulaski County, Missouri
Pulaski County combines the best of outdoor recreation, historical sites, and kid-friendly entertainment into one scenic location. Our family spent several days exploring the history, enjoying family-friendly attractions, and taking a scenic float trip. Read on to learn about the best things to do in Pulaski County.
Float Down a River
Pulaski County offers two great rivers for floating, the Big Piney and the Gasconade. Both rivers offer clear water fed by springs. Numerous outfitters operate on the river and can provide a float trip from as short as 3 miles to longer, multi-day trips. The float trips can be done on river tubes, canoes, kayaks, or rafts. These rivers have gravel bars for taking a break and also are great rivers for fishing.
Our family went on a 6 mile float trip on the Gasconade River in tandem kayaks, arranged by Gasconade Hills Resort. Recent rains had raised the river level up a little which meant a quicker float, but the water also was not quite as clear as normal. We still had a great time and enjoyed the views of the river, the bluffs, and the occasional turtle or bird.
Gasconade Hills Resort was great at answering any questions and making sure we had a safe and comfortable float. We were able to float right back to the resort, where we stayed during our visit.
Get Your Kicks on Route 66
No other highway in America is quite as well known as historic Route 66. Pulaski County is home to a 33-mile stretch of the road, marking the halfway point between St. Louis and Joplin. There are several scenic and historic spots to check out that reflect the history of this route.
Hooker Cut
This scenic stretch of Route 66 north of Devil’s Elbow was once known as the deepest road cut in America. Today you can still drive this 4-lane stretch of road and admire the towering limestone bluffs.
Devil’s Elbow
Continuing south on Route 66 you will come to Devil’s Elbow. A popular Route 66 stop, you can walk or drive over the 1923 era Devil’s Elbow Bridge. The bridge offers a beautiful view of 200 foot tall bluffs over the Big Piney River. These bluffs were once named one of the “Seven Wonders of Missouri.”
St. Robert Route 66 Neon Park
One of the newest attractions in Pulaski County is the St. Robert Route 66 Neon Park. The Neon Park is located at George M. Reed Roadside Park, the oldest, continuous operating roadside park on Route 66. (The picnic tables in the park are original!) The park features a M60 tank to reflect the importance of Ft. Leonard Wood nearby along with 8 restored neon signs.
This park is free, open daily and the signs are on from dusk to dawn. This lovely park is well worth a visit! It is so neat to see these signs brought back to life and glowing over the town. Storyboards tell about the history of each vintage sign from a location along Route 66 in Missouri. More signs are planned to be added and we can’t wait to see this experience grow!
Downtown Waynesville
Route 66 runs right through Waynesville’s historic downtown and Main Street. There are two museums to explore here (more on those below) plus several great photo ops including a giant Route 66 shield.
On July 10, 1990, then-Governor John Ashcroft signed a bill to designate Missouri’s Route 66 as a historic district during a ceremony on the Waynesville square. That legislation helped spur the revival of Route 66 as a historic tourist destination and led to Waynesville’s legacy as the Birthplace of the Byway.
Several murals in downtown Waynesville also celebrate the Route 66 history and make a great selfie stop. Don’t miss the interactive mural with the canoe, the Corvette mural, or the Waynesville mural.
Learn about Local History
Pulaski County is full of rich, local history. There are several great historic museums and stops to visit. We ran out of time to visit all of these, but we able to still learn so much.
The Old Stagecoach Stop
The Old Stagecoach Stop is truly an incredible hidden gem! I had no idea about all the history that occurred here. The Old Stagecoach Stop was first constructed in the 1850s. It served many purposes over the years including a stop for stagecoach travelers, a Civil War hospital, a hotel, dentist office, and apartments.
The site has been restored to reflect various time periods and uses of the building. Free, guided tours are offered and we learned so much about the unique history of the building as well as local events and residents.
1903 Courthouse Museum
I really wanted to visit this museum, but we sadly ran out of time. The 1903 Courthouse Museum is housed in one of only two period courthouses on Route 66 in Missouri. The museum features exhibits on Trail of Tears, the Civil War, WWI, WWII, local history, and collections of quilts, farm equipment, and antiques.
Fort Leonard Wood Museum Complex
Fort Leonard Wood hosts three different Army Museums all in one complex. Mahaffey Museum Complex houses the U.S. Army Engineer Museum, the Military Police Corps Regimental Museum, and the U.S. Army Chemical Corps Museum . The museum complex is also adjacent to the WWII Army Complex Museum which replicates Fort Leonard Wood as it was during the 1940s. We did not have time to visit any of these museums, but they sound like a great way to learn about the history and contributions of these units of the army and the history of Fort Leonard Wood.
Crocker Frisco Depot Museum
One of our kids loves trains so I wish we could have visited this historic depot. Open the third Saturday of the month, the Frisco Depot Museum in Crocker features numerous artifacts and exhibits detailing the history of the Frisco railroad and the lives who helped build it. The museum also features a Frisco caboose for a fun photo op.
Freedom Rock and St. Robert Military Tribute
The outdoor Saint Robert Military display features a series of boulders and murals representing various military units and branches. A centerpiece of the display is the Freedom Rock, part of the “50 State Freedom Rock Tour,” which showcases unique artwork honoring veterans across the United States.
Explore a Park
We had a great evening exploring two scenic parks in Waynesville, just a short distance from the downtown and along Route 66. These two parks are even connected by a concrete walkway that passes underneath the historic 1923 Roubidoux Spring Bridge.
Laughlin Park
Laughlin Park is the site of Roubidoux Spring. This spring is the 16th largest in Missouri with an average daily output of 37 millions gallons.
There is a boardwalk over the spring and trails along the river. This is such a peaceful spot and a great place to cool off on a hot day. Scuba divers even dive into the cave area around the spring.
Roubidoux Park
An paved path connects from the spring to the parking area of Laughlin Park where a concrete pathway connects between Laughlin and Roubidoux Park. This pathway passes by a Trail of Tears Memorial and kiosk that commemorate the site of a Cherokee encampment.
Roubidoux Park includes several great amenities including a splash pad, fitness court, and the Little Hero’s Playground. Designed in partnership with Unlimited Play, this play area is designed to be inclusive to kids of all abilities. The theme is in honor of all branches of the military.
Unique Attractions
There are many more family-friendly attractions in Pulaski County. While we didn’t have time to see everything, we managed to spend some time at Bogey’s to enjoy the unique golf, sports, and arcade simulator as well as several other games and activities.
Bogey’s is designed to be family-friendly with a multi-sport simulator and arcade. We enjoyed playing soccer, basketball, baseball, bowling, and even zombie dodgeball. There are also several other games to play including a giant Operation and Pass the Pigs.
Where to Eat in Pulaski County, Missouri
There are many places to eat in Pulaski County, Missouri including many family-friendly options. We enjoyed breakfast at Flo’s 66 Diner. The servers were so nice and there was a great variety of options.
We had dinner our first night at Route 66 Taco & Wing Company. They offer several unique taco options, amazing crispy chips, and the kids meals come with toys! There is also an arcade here.
We dined at Hoppers Pub the second night, right on Route 66. They offer a kids menu and fun Route 66 decor.
Be sure to save room for dessert. Freddy’s Frozen Custard is located right across from the St. Robert Neon Park while Sweet Sam’s on Route 66 can be found in downtown Waynesville. Sweet Sam’s is Missouri made using fresh honey and it was so good!
Where to Stay in Pulaski County, Missouri
Pulaski County offers many different lodging options from rustic tent camping to modern hotels and rentals. We stayed two nights at Gasconade Hills Resort. This quiet campground offers tent and RV sites as well as glamping tents and cabins.
Our cabin was located right above the river and offered plenty of space for our family of 4. There is a small playground, pool, and a store on site. Gasconade Hills also offers float trips and handled all the details of our 6 mile kayak float.
Why you Should Plan a Visit to Pulaski County
Pulaski County, Missouri, offers family-friendly adventures, historic sites, and outdoor fun just a short drive from many major cities. Whether you enjoy exploring scenic parks, floating down scenic rivers, discovering Route 66 nostalgia, or learning about local history, Pulaski County has something for everyone. Start planning your family getaway today for a wonderful Missouri adventure!
