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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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10 Great Spring Hikes Around St. Louis
After what felt like an extra long and cold winter, spring is finally here. If the warm weather and budding trees have you ready to explore outside, here is a list of 10 great St. Louis area hikes that really shine during the spring. While most of the flowers are just starting to pop out, in the next couple of weeks these trails will be awash in color. 1. St. Francois State Park St. Francois is a lovely Missouri State…
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Explore an Ancient Civilization at Cahokia Mounds
Long before Europeans arrived to America, the area just east St. Louis was home to an ancient culture. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in southern Illinois preserves the central section of the largest prehistoric Native American city north of Mexico. The city grew to cover 4,000 acres with a population of between ten and twenty thousand at its peak around 1100. Today the site preserves 70 of the original 120 earthen mounds built by pre-historic Native Americans. Dominating the site is Monks…
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Marvel at the Wonder of Whitewater Rapids at Millstream Gardens
You might not expect to find rapids and whitewater conditions in Missouri, but the stretch of St. Francis River through Millstream Gardens Conservation Area features just that. In fact, this section of the river is the home to the Missouri Whitewater Championship each spring. During the third weekend in March, racers and fans alike line the shut-ins’ rocky outcroppings to watch kayakers compete in a number of races. This rugged area gives visitors a feel of Colorado and rugged parks…
