Pink granite boulders and waterfalls await you in the Castor River Shut-Ins at the 1,632 acres Amidon Memorial Conservation Area.

Geology of the Castor River Shut-Ins

Pink rocks tell a story of volcanic eruptions and molten lava from 1.5 billion years ago.

The Saint Francis Mountains formed when huge pockets of magma welled up in dome shapes and slowly cooked, forming the igneous rock of granite and rhyolite. Iron minerals in the rocks give them a distinctive pink color.

Over time, the upper Castor River eroded softer materials exposing the large granite boulders. Chutes or shut-ins were formed.

Here you can listen as the water rushing water pushes through the shut-ins long before you see the pink boulders.

History

Much of the land for the conservation area was donated by Evelyn and Ellsworth Amidon.

Hahn’s Mill once operated in this area and a worn pink granite millstone rests in the grass by the conservation sign at the intersection of County Roads 208 and 253.

The abandoned remains of the mill are downriver from the second parking area along County Road 208 before it crosses the Castor River. I couldn’t find it when I was there, though and someone was camping in the area and didn’t want to walk through their campsite.

Another mill had operated on the north side of the shut-ins but all that remains of it are holes drilled into the shut-ins.

My Time Here

 Road Closed

 Normally here you would park at the trailhead off of County Road 253. The day I went the road was closed for construction.

So I parked at the County Road 208 lot and decided to walk up the Castor River. This turned out to be not the best idea and I wouldn’t recommend it. The river is filled with many pools, submerged boulders which are slippery in the water, and lots of climbing around. It was a tough slog.

River Wildlife

The only good part of this was coming across two breeds of turtles going upriver, which were much better adapted to the challenges.

How I found My Way

I had a map that eventually disintegrated with all the water I was walking through. I recently downloaded AllTrails onto my phone. In this App, you can download maps, and then I can see on the map my progress. This was a worthy investment since I could keep track of where I was going. Along the river, there are old river paths and I didn’t want to go down one those to a dead end and have to backtrack.

Also, I bought a waterproof iPhone case that I wore with a lanyard which kept the phone dry as I was in and out of the water. I did not swim but it worked well wading through the water.

Coming into the Shut-Ins

I heard voices as I went through the boulders in the river and came into the area of the shut-ins. I saw to thin women laying out on the rocks and wondered how they got there.

“We went through the field,” one of the women said.

“That was probably a good idea, though going through the rocks,” I said.

I then wandered through taking pictures of the bluffs, the boulder fields, and the water rushing through the rocks.

I took note of the potholes in the rocks. I always like these, miniature ponds in the rock.

I made my way to the waterfall at the end of the shut-ins and then saw where I could get back to the trail.

Cedar Glade Trail

I am going to do the trail as if I started from the parking lot so it is easier to follow along. I did the complete loop around from start to finish.

Starting the Hike

Follow white placards to find your way although it is well-maintained so it is pretty easy to follow.

At .01 mile you come to the beginning of the loop. To your right, you go up into the hills and to your left, you go along a creek heading towards the shut-ins. If you want to do some hiking go right and if you just want to swim go left.

Up the Hill

Going up into the hills you cross some wood bridges and walk through a forest. It is a leisurely walk through this area.

Up in the Cliffs Along the River

The trail then curves to follow the river going slowly down to the shut-ins. Here you find glades and rock gardens and boulders here and there. This time of year it is hard to see down into the river, probably easier during the fall or early spring.

Eventually, you come down the hillside. I had to look a bit at one point as I headed to find the trail since the glades are open here. I found it and came down to just above the shut-ins.

It is an amazing view from above with the fast-flowing water and the pink granite decorating the hillsides.

I walked a bit more in the shut-ins before taking the trail back the other way.

Easy Walk to the Trailhead

This part of the trail begins behind a low bluff and goes along a rocky creek that flows into the Castor River.

It is an easy mostly flat walk back to where the trails split. If you listen closely you can hear the flow of the water for a way as you head back.

Heading Back to the Car

I could have tried the field, but was uncertain how easy that was to do so I decided I would walk back the road. I knew what I was facing this way. It was a boring walk and partly on the new blacktop roadbed that was still a bit oozy from being laid down that day.

By the Parking Lot

I looked for a bit for the Hahn’s Mill remains but someone was camping nearby and didn’t want to disturb them. 

 I walked across the stream. The road here goes across two fords, no bridge. I think a Jeep would do fine, probably not a low clearance car.

At the other parking across the river, there was a trail but it looked like it headed into the woods and away from the river.

I was tired of all the bouldering in the river so I headed home after this.

Final Thoughts

If the road had been opened, this would have been an easy hike. With it closed, it led to a long day. I learned that my Ipad dry bag worked fine and the downloaded AllTrails also did a good job in showing my way. If I came back here I would walk the Cedar Trail again and then spend the afternoon swimming!

DETAILS:

Drive: Go south from St. Louis along Interstate 55 to exit 174B and merge onto US-67 S and stay in this highway then take the MO-72/US 67 Bus exit toward Fredricktown/Arcadia. 

Continue on MO-72 E. Turn left onto Mo-72 E/US 67 Bus S (signs for Fredricktown. At the traffic circle, take the third exit onto MO-72. Turn right to stay on Mo-72. 

Left will be made onto State Highway J off MO-72. Look for State Highway W and make a right onto that road. Drive on this until it ends and make a left onto Madison 208 and then a left onto Madison 253 until you see parking for Amidon Conservation Area.

Hours: Area closed from 10 am to 4 am.

Admission: Free

Address: County Road 253, Fredricktown, MO 63645

MORE SHUT-INS

Lon Sanders Canyon: My Favorite Shut-Ins Short Hike

Waterfalls and shut-ins in a rocky gorge are what you will find at Lon Sanders Canyon Conservation Area in the Missouri Ozarks.

Sam A. Baker State Park 

Wet-weather waterfalls splashing down through boulders and a lookout across the St. Francois Mountains await you on the Shut-Ins Trail at Sam A. Baker State Park.

Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park

Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park with its huge gray boulders and splashing water slide like rapids is a hiking and swimming destination.

Millstream Gardens Conservation Area

Majestic pines, huge rock boulders creating shut-ins, and rapids greet you at Millstream Gardens Conservation Area. In the spring when the water is high this area is known for its whitewater kayaking competitions.

Silver Mines Recreation Area

A mineshaft and a cascading river rushing through the remains of a stone cut dam are what awaits you at Silver Mines Recreation Area.

Dad Hikes — The area around St. Louis is filled with wondrous sites for families to explore, which I share at Dad Hikes. Many times I will do these hikes alone to learn the lay of the land before we do it as a family. Feel free to share suggestions for hikes to do. Also, post any questions you might have on the hikes!