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Explore the Times Beach Ghost Town at Route 66 State Park
Missouri’s Route 66 State Park has a complicated and unique history. The area that is now a state park was once the home of the community of Times Beach. In the early 1980s it was discovered that the oil used to control the dusty streets of the town was contaminated with the toxic chemical dioxin. The entire town was condemmed and the residents forced to evacuate. After an extensive environmental cleanup, the area opened as a state park to celebrate…
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Plan a Nature Escape to Missouri’s Babler State Park
Dr. Edmund Babler State Park, or just Babler as it’s known locally, is a wonderful oasis in a the busy St. Louis suburbs. Over 2,400 acres offer hikes, scenic drives, bike trails, camping, and more. Babler State Park History In 1934, Jacob and Henry Babler presented the state with 88 acres in memory of their brother, Edmund Babler, a prominent St. Louis surgeon who was dedicated to helping the less fortunate. An additional 800 acres of land was quickly added…
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Explore Castle Ruins and Natural Wonders at Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Ha Ha Tonka State Park is one of the most beautiful and unique state parks in Missouri. The park offers stunning natural beauty with a turquoise blue spring, cave, and natural rock bridge. Visitors can also explore the ruins of a turn of the century stone castle perched on a bluff above Lake of the Ozarks. This is truly a must-see park and great for the whole family. History of Ha Ha Tonka State Park The area around Ha Ha…
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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…
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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.…
