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Exploring Sam A. Baker State Park
Sam A. Baker is a gem of a state park in Missouri. This state park is one of the oldest in Missouri and offers a great mix of lodging, hiking, and water recreation. The Civilian Conservation Corps left its mark on the park in the 1930s and it is evident in the beautiful stone structures found throughout the park. Things to Do at Sam A. Baker State Park Visitor Center The Visitors Center is a great spot to start when…
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Hiking Illinois’s Stemler Cave Woods Preserve
Stemler Cave Woods Nature Preserve is another quiet spot of nature developed in part by Clifftop Alliance. This non-profit was developed to help promote the conservation, preservation, and protection of the Mississippi River bluffs corridor in Monroe, Randolph and St. Clair Counties of Illinois. We have explored several of the other preserves Clifftop supports such as White Rock and Salt Lick Point. As the largest dedicated Illinois nature preserve in St. Clair County, Stemler Cave Woods contains 20 acres of…
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Find a Unique Waterfall at LaBarque Creek Conservation Area
The rugged canyons and clear creeks of Missouri’s LaBarque Creek Watershed offer many options for recreation. Don Robinson State Park is perhaps the most popular place for hiking in this area. However, if you want to escape the state park crowds and explore unique features, check out the LaBarque Creek Conservation Area. This LaBarque Creek Conservation Area consists of one hiking trail. The path has a small out-and-back portion followed by a loop. LaBarque Creek Trail Distance: 3 miles round…
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Cedar Falls and Phantom Canyon Trails at Camp Ondessonk
One of my adventure bucket list items had been to visit the tallest free-flowing waterfall in the state of Illinois. We managed to check off that item recently by hiking to Cedar Falls and Phantom Canyon, both located on the Camp Ondessonk property. Camp Ondessonk is the site of a Catholic summer camp in far southern Illinois. When summer camp is not in session, this private property is open to the public for hiking with permission. There are 25 miles…
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The Best Waterfall Hikes Near St. Louis
While rainy days may keep most people away from the trails, wet weather is the best time for waterfall hunting. The St. Louis area may not have the continuously flowing waterfalls of other states, but heavy spring rains transform ordinary trickles into rushing cascades. Try to time your visit to these places after a good downpour. Bring those boots, brave the muddy trails, and ready your camera for an adventure. Here are 25 of the best waterfalls to explore around…
