-
Rockwoods Reservation Lime Kiln Trail
Rockwoods Reservation is a great spot to hike not far from St. Louis. Several different trails wind through this rocky and wooded spot. The Trail Amoung the Trees is probably my favorite trail here, especially in fall. We recently tried out the more challenging Lime Kiln trail, and found it to be a fun and scenic hike as well. Lime Kiln Loop Distance: 3.25 mile loop Difficulty: 4/5 This is known as a good local trail for training. There are some…
-
Beaver Dam State Park
Beaver Dam is a small state park in west-central Illinois. Located in a more rural area, this state park is less well known but worth exploring. Situated in an oak/hickory woodland, Beaver Dam State Park offers a variety of recreational opportunities including fishing, picnicking, hiking, and both tent and trailer camping. There is also a restaurant and store open daily with paddle boat and canoe rentals available. History Beavers first built several dams along a stream in the valley here…
-
Explore an Illinois Bayou at Cache River Natural Area
You may feel transported to a Louisiana bayou when you first visit Cache River State Natural Area. This unique landscape in southern Illinois preserves a rare remainder of the cypress swamps and bottomland hardwood forests that once existed in the Ohio River floodplain. Settlers attempted in the past to drain the wetlands and convert the land to farmland. Today, the Cache River Wetlands is one of the few remaining wetlands in the area and provides habitat for a diverse variety…
-
Rugged Adventure Awaits at Pinnacles Youth Park
Pinnacles Youth Park is a special place just north of Columbia, Missouri. The features of this park give you a taste of the more rugged terrain in states further west. You can admire the towering rock pillars from below or be more daring and explore them from above. No matter which way you explore this park, the scenery is outstanding. The park is privately owned, but open to the public. There are no trail maps or well marked paths here,…
-
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is a beautiful spot located near Columbia, Missouri. This park features a variety of unique terrain including caves, sinkholes, and a natural rock bridge. Clear spring fed streams run through the park and wildflowers are abundant. The park offers eight different trails to explore with the Devil’s Icebox Trail being the most popular. We hiked both the Icebox Trail and the Sinkhole Trail on our first visit. Devil’s Icebox Trail Distance: .50 mile trail Difficulty:Â 2/5.…
