• Hiking,  History,  Missouri

    Discover Lakes, Trails, and Bunkers at Busch Memorial Conservation Area

    August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area in St. Charles County, Missouri has an interesting past. Tucked among the dozens of lakes and miles of hiking trails at can be found concrete bunkers once used to store TNT. What once was used as a munitions plant to support World War II, is now a great place for recreation. August A. Busch Conservation Area History The Conservation Area land was used by the Department of Army as a TNT munitions plant to…

  • Hikes,  Illinois,  Kids

    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…

  • Day Trip,  Hikes,  Hiking,  Illinois,  Kids

    Ferne Clyffe State Park – A Secret Oasis in Southern Illinois

    Many people think of Illinois as “flyover country.” They believe the state is nothing but flat and boring farm fields as far as the eye can see. While much of the state is geographically monotonous, far southern Illinois is drastically different. This rugged area is known as the Illinois Ozarks. Rising bluffs, trickling waterfalls, and jagged rocks create a lush and varied landscape worthy of exploration. Tucked away near the bottom of the state, Ferne Clyffe State Park has been…