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Hike the Hills and Hollers at St. Francois State Park in Bonne Terre, Missouri
Mooner’s Hollow and Swimming Deer Trails St. Francois State Park is a hidden gem tucked in the forested Pike Run Hills. Less than an hour drive from St. Louis will bring you to this delightful park which boasts several trails, a crystal clear stream, a campground, and the Big River for boating activities. This quiet oasis contrasts with a colorful past history of outlaws ranging from Civil War guerrilla fighters who hid in caves to moonshiners operating illegal stills. This…
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Explore Scenic Views and Lost History at Missouri’s Castlewood State Park’s River Scene Trail
Length: 3.4 miles or about 2.5 if you use the connector Difficulty: 3 out of 5, some moderate climbing up to bluffs Scenic Value: 4 out of 5, one of the best views around St. Louis The area around Castlewood State Park has been a popular escape for St. Louisans for decades. Amid the quiet beauty and wildlife here now, it’s hard to imagine that the park was once the site of a bustling resort that peaked in popularity after…
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Take a Trail Through Time at Pickle Springs Natural Area in Missouri
If you are looking for a short and family friendly trail that still packs a scenic punch then Pickle Springs Natural Area in southeastern Missouri is a must see. Located about an hour south of St. Louis, The Trail Through Time path is a quick 2 mile loop hike through a variety of rugged and interesting geographical features. Quick being a retaliative term when hiking with kids and so much to discover! When we last hiked the trail over the…
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Climb to Great Views at Salt Lick Point Trail in Illinois
Salt Lick Point is a favorite hike of ours on the Illinois side of the metro area. This hike is located on a former quarry site in Valmeyer, Illinois. In fact you can even spy interesting old remainders of this site’s former life. The preserve consists of three different trails. We like to make a loop by hiking a portion of the Salt Lick Trail along the bluffs, continuing along on a section of the Newman Trail, and then completing…
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Explore the Devil’s Honeycomb at Missouri’s Hughes Mountain Natural Area
This Devil’s Honeycomb hike at Hughes Mountain is one of Missouri’s most unique trails. When I post photos from this spot online, people are often surprised to learn that such a place exists in Missouri! Now you can know about the unusual landscape and beautiful views from this easy and kid friendly hike. The Hughes Mountain trail’s main feature is the rock formation at the top known as Devil’s Honeycomb. The landscape was created as molten rock cracked and cooled.…
