DNR
Home PageStory Ideas
Katy Trail State Park -- This 225-mile walking and bicycling trail is the longest developed rail-to-trail project in the nation. Traveling between Clinton and St. Charles, the trail takes people through rural Missouri, providing opportunities to learn the history of many railroad/river towns. Along the way, they can enjoy nature and views of the Missouri River, and get some exercise in the process. Many towns along the route provide services such as camping, food and bed and breakfasts.
Reference:
www.katytrailstatepark.com
Caves -- Missouri, known as the Cave State, has more than 5,500 caves, and some of the state's most scenic natural wonders lie beneath the surface - in caves. Tours are given inside some of the state's spectacular caves, like Onondaga Cave, which is a National Natural Landmark. Other caves remain hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.
Reference:
www.mostateparks.com/onondaga.htm; www.mostateparks.com/meramec.htm; www.mostateparks.com/lakeozark.htm; www.mostateparks.com/rockbridge.htm;
www.mostateparks.com/karst.htm
Springs -- Millions of gallons of water bubble up from beneath the Earth's surface daily at many springs throughout Missouri. Missouri's first settlers found springs to be a good location to build a mill, although today, some of Missouri's springs are very popular fishing destinations, like Bennett Spring at Bennett Spring State Park.
Reference:
www.mostateparks.com/bennett.htm;
www.mostateparks.com/montauk.htm;
www.mostateparks.com/hahatonka.htm;
www.mostateparks.com/roaringriver.htm;
www.mostateparks.com/booneslick.htm
Trails -- Take a walk, hike, bicycle ride, horseback ride or a wild ride on an all-terrain vehicle. A variety of trails are available all over Missouri, whether you want to spend an hour or several days amid nature.
Reference:
www.mostateparks.com/directory.htm
Birding -- Missouri provides habitat for a variety of bird species. Some unique landscapes include swamps, like those found at Big Oak Tree State Park, which as a national reputation as a birding hot spot, and prairies, like at Prairie State Park, where endangered grassland birds like the greater prairie chicken can be found. Some of Missouri's rivers and lakes serve as magnets for migratory waterfowl during the spring and fall migration seasons. Big Lake State Park and Wakonda State Park are great places to watch for these types of birds.
Reference:
www.mostateparks.com/bigoak.htm; www.mostateparks.com/prairie.htm;
www.mostateparks.com/biglake.htm; www.mostateparks.com/wakonda/plantsanimals.htm;
www.mostateparks.com/babler/plantsanimals.htm; www.mostateparks.com/bennett/plantsanimals.htm; www.mostateparks.com/jshutins/plantsanimals.htm;
www.mostateparks.com/pershingpark/plantsanimals.htm;
www.mostateparks.com/taumsauk/plantsanimals.htm;
www.mostateparks.com/wallace/plantsanimals.htm; www.mostateparks.com/bigsugar/plantsanimals.htm; www.mostateparks.com/weston/plantsanimals.htm
Covered Bridges -- Missouri has four remaining covered bridges, all of which are preserved as state historic sites - Sandy Creek, Union, Locust Creek and Burfordville, which is a part of Bollinger Mill State Historic Site. Each has its own story and past purpose.
Reference:
www.mostateparks.com/sandybridge.htm;
www.mostateparks.com/unionbridge.htm; www.mostateparks.com/locustbridge.htm;
www.mostateparks.com/bollinger/burfordville.htm
Mills -- Missouri has many surviving gristmills around the state, both private and publicly owned, like the picturesque mill at Dillard Mill State Historic Site. These mills were not only thriving businesses, but also served as the location for social gatherings of farmers waiting for their grain to be processed. Missouri also features the only 19th century textile mill in the country with its machinery still intact at Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site.
Reference:
www.mostateparks.com/bollinger.htm; www.mostateparks.com/dillardmill.htm;
www.mostateparks.com/montauk.htm;
www.mostateparks.com/wwmill/index.html
Natural Areas -- The state's most exceptional natural landscapes are preserved through the Missouri Natural Areas Program. These special areas protect vanishing landscapes such as savannas and glades, and include some of the state's most impressive and rare native plants and animals such as Mead's milkweed and the greater prairie chicken.
Reference:
www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/natareas/
The Ozark Trail -- This unique trail is patterned after the Appalachian Trail. Beginning south of St. Louis, the trail represents a partnership of state and federal agencies and private individuals to provide a trail all the way to the Missouri border with Arkansas and beyond. The trail travels through some of the most scenic and rugged areas of the state and through state parks, conservation areas and national forest areas.
Reference:
www.mostateparks.com/ozarktrail/index.html; www.mostateparks.com/jshutins/trails.htm; www.mostateparks.com/lakewappapello/trails.htm;
www.mostateparks.com/taumsauk/trails.htm
Fishing -- Missouri state parks offer many opportunities for fishing with access to lakes, rivers and streams. At Pomme de Terre State Park, anglers can fish in the only lake in Missouri that offers true muskellunge fishing. Lake of the Ozarks State Park has become famous nationwide for its bass fishing tournaments, and the department has developed a special marina area to accommodate all the bass tournaments.
Reference:
www.mostateparks.com/directory.htm
