Miles of canoeing rivers, including the Jack's
Fork and Current, America's first national scenic riverways, take
paddlers through the picturesque woods and bluffs. Take a break at
Alley Spring near Eminence to explore an historic grist mill,
painted a vibrant red. Farther downstream, near Van Buren, is one of
America's largest springs, Big Spring.
Begin a Meramec River float at Ononodaga Cave in Leasburg
or you can put in at Steelville or Bourbon with any number of
outfitters that serve the area. As you drift along, watch for the
shy deer peeking through a stand of oak trees.
The region's largest town is Poplar Bluff. Two
historical museums and the Margaret Harwell Art Museum are among the
town's attractions.
Just north is 8,400-acre Wappapello Lake, best
known for its winter and springtime crappie fishing. Mark Twain
National Forest, also on the lake, makes up a large part of the
region. Wildflowers nod in the breeze and the scent of cedar fills
the air as riders and hikers enjoy miles of trails.
To the west of Thayer is Grand Gulf State
Park, which resembles a mini-Grand Canyon. In Rolla you'll find a
small version of England's Stonehenge, historic buildings on the
Courthouse Square and segments of the original Route 66.
Giant red boulders perch atop Ozark hills
making up Elephant Rocks State Park near Ironton. Climb to the top
of Taum Sauk Mountain, Missouri's highest point, then splash in to
Johnson's Shut-Ins to explore the Black River's unusual carvings
through Missouri's oldest exposed rock.
From Lesterville, canoeists can enjoy many
miles of the Black River before it widens into scenic Clearwater
Lake. Marinas, beaches, lodging and campgrounds are abundant, with
more services just east at Piedmont.
If your daydreams take you to a place with
shining streams surrounded by the tranquil sounds of nature, then
the Ozark Heritage Region is the place you'll want to visit again
and again.
Attention eco-tourists... this region
seems to have been created especially for those whose idea of life
at its best is when they're out exploring, paddling, trekking,
climbing and splashing through the natural wonders of the world
around them. Bubbling springs, sparkling rivers and forested hills
accentuate Missouri's Ozark Heritage Region.