The Park contains the fifth largest spring in the state. An average of 100 million gallons of water
gushes from the spring daily.
Maramec
Spring Park contains 1,860 acres of forest and fields. The public use portion
of the Park contains many amenities for visitors such as a cafe, store,
camping, wildlife viewing, fish feeding, picnicking, shelters, fishing, and two museums
on the grounds.
The
cost to enter Maramec Spring Park is $5.00 per car and $25.00 per bus. School
Buses may enter without charge. A season
parking pass is available for $35.00
During
"OLD IRON WORKS DAYS”, the cost is $15.00 per car and $25.00 per bus.
During
Kid's Fishing Day, those vehicles containing a child fifteen (15) or younger,
may enter Maramec Spring Park without paying the entry fee.
This 3,300 acre wilderness ranks 10th in
the United States for photographing sandstone rock formations and high vistas.
The easiest trail is the 1/4 mile Observation Trail for outstanding views and
to see Camel Rock, Anvil Rock and Devil’s Smokestack. Five miles of trails are part of the River to
River Trail, and some are difficult.”
The park and its campsites are open year round.
Pharaoh Campground has 12 campsites all outfitted with fire pits, picnic
tables, toilets and drinking water. A $10 fee is required for camping.
Garden of the Gods is located at 50 Highway 145 S, Shawnee National Forest, Harrisburg, IL in the Shawnee National Forest.
A 256-acre Pickle Springs
State Natural Area in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, and the area is known for its
unique geological formations and plants that are found now where else in
Missouri.
The area has over 250
vascular plant species including many uncommon species that are considered
glacial relicts. These relict species are those that were more common thousands
of the years ago when Missouri’s climate was cold and wet because of glaciations.
The cool, moist conditions of the canyon walls support over
40 species of liverworts – one of the most diverse spots for these primitive
plants in Missouri
This 2-mile hiking trail loop leads hikers to most of the unique
rock formations with opportunities to view the interesting plants and animals
that inhabit the site’s natural communities.
 |
| Photo by Shawnee National Forest |
Time has eroded and
carved a deep box canyon exposing majestic bluffs with a lush bottom-land habitat that thrives on the canyon floor. The canyon floor showcases seasonal
waterfalls, large sandstone overhangs and towering beech and sycamore trees. A
3.6-mile loop trail that has drastic changes in elevation - from 350 to 700
feet at the trail-head In one 1/4-mile section the trails rises 300 to 400
feet. The trail follows rocky creek beds, winds next to sheer, majestic bluffs.
From the higher elevations there are panoramic views of the canyon, the Big
Muddy River bottoms and Fountain Bluff. Interpretive signs explain the geological
history.
Little Grand Canyon is located at Little Grand Canyon Rd Shawnee National Forest, Pomona, IL
62975.
***The park is rich in
natural history as well as cultural history. The 2,101 acres that make up
Coonville Creek Wild Area boast the forested ridges and hollows of the Pike Run
Hills. Mooner’s Hollow and Pike Run trails provide access to this wild area
covered with woodlands of white oak, black oak, shagbark hickory and dogwood.
Coonville Creek and its narrow valley make up Coonville
Creek Natural Area. Small springs,
tributaries and wet meadows, or fens, feed this high-quality Ozark stream. Many
rare northern plants continue to thrive in the moist, sheltered conditions of
these fens. Several trails, one of which allows equestrians, wind through these
wild areas and other scenic areas of the park. A park naturalist offers nature
walks, slide shows, audio/video presentations and demonstrations, many of which
are held in the park’s outdoor amphitheater, to inform visitors on a variety of
nature topics.
St. Francois State Park is located at 8920 US Highway 67 North Bonne Terre, MO 63628.
****Information & photo taken from Missouri State Parks Website.
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