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Find Mountain Views and Civil War History at Shepherd Mountain
We always enjoy hiking around the Arcadia Valley area of Missouri. One lesser known hiking trail we checked out last fall is the Shepherd Mountain trail in the town of Ironton. While the trail was very quiet the day we hiked, this area has recently opened as a bustling mountain bike park. Weekends now mean bikes speeding up and down the steep hills of Shepherd Mountain. There are several mountain bike trails but the hiking trail is available for those…
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Waterfalls and Wildflowers on the Rocky Bluff Trail Hike
The Rocky Bluff Trail can be found at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge near Marion, Illinois. The refuge is a popular spot for fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. A pass is required to visit, but it’s only $2. There are six different hiking trails within the refuge. The Rocky Bluff Trail passes the most spectacular spots in the refuge including wet weather waterfalls, cliffs, and stunning wildflowers. Rocky Bluff Trail Overview Distance: 2.2 mile loop. You can also…
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Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Back in Civil War times, the area near Powder Valley was full of caves. Federal forces stockpiled gunpowder in these caves to blow up bridges if the Confederate army attempted to invade St. Louis by way of the Meramec River. Now interstate 270 covers where the caves were and peaceful Powder Valley Conservation Area is full of nature instead of gunpowder. Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center covers 112 acres of oak hickory forest tucked away near the hustle of the…
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Take a Paved Nature Walk on the Rock Hollow Trail
If you are looking for an easier walk or a good non-muddy trail after a rain, check out the Rock Hollow Trail in Wildwood, Missouri. Part of the St. Louis area Great Rivers Greenway Trail network, this path is great for walking or biking. During the spring, the trail is one of the area’s hotspots for viewing bluebell flowers. Rock Hollow Trail Distance: 2.3 mile each way, out and back Difficulty: 2/5. Wide and paved, but has a hill heading…
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Exploring Missouri’s Roaring River State Park
While Roaring River State Park may be most well known as a great place for fishing, we discovered that it contains many opportunities for recreation for all. While on the way to visit family, we made an overnight stop to check out the beauty and attractions of this rugged park in far southern Missouri. History of the Park The reliable gushing water of Roaring Spring lead to the building of several mills at this site over the years. The name…
