Exploring a clear flowing spring, a trout hatchery, and a former ironworks is a day of fun at Maramec Spring Park.

Pump house by the hatchery — Pumphouse by the hatchery

Trout Farm at Maramec Spring

Parking near the fish hatchery we went first to feed the fish. The Missouri Department of Conservation raises the trout in the spring water.

Fish food dispensers are by the separated fish pools.

We put in 25 cents and my son Andrew laughed as the fish jumped out of the water to swallow a fish pellet. He fed the adult fish first and then the younger ones.

Watching the fish swim in the current and flop around for fish food entertained him.

Walk to the Spring

We headed towards the spring outlet looking for fish in the clear water.

Water cascading down the rocks from the spring.

Stopping by huge rocks that form a waterfall as the water flows out of the spring.

Maramec Spring

Sign explaining the power of the spring.

The spring has an average daily flow of 96,000,000 gallons of water a year and is the fifth-largest in the state.

The water bubbles up from more than 350 feet below the earth. The depth from which the water comes causes the temperature to be 56 degrees year-round. The Spring Branch empties into the Meramec River about one mile downstream from the spring.

By the Spring

We looked down seeing it oozing up from far below. The cliff above the spring had frozen waterfalls on the day we were there.

Frozen waterfall with Andrew by it for size.

One was over two times as tall as Andrew. It was slippery on the cement walkway by the spring so we had to be careful so not to slip.

Down the path, we went by canals for the trout farm.

In places small dams create rapids.

Andrew liked walking through the tunnel.

Back by the road was a tunnel that led to an ironworks.

Ironworks

Thomas James and Samuel Massey of Chillicothe constructed the Maramec Iron Works.

The ironworks provided products such as wagon wheels, pots, pans, plowshares, and some can be seen on site.

Lintels created by the iron works. — Lintels created by the ironworks

It was prosperous during the Civil War then closed in 1878.

A tall iron furnace was by a large hill.

My son ran around the furnace looking into the small indentions into the stone.

Nearby are the remains of the Refinery Forge House with stone fireplaces and around it forge equipment.

Signs in this area explain the structures.

Summer view of spring. Summer- Photo — Summer view of spring — Summer Photo

Along the Spring Branch

We next walked along the Spring Branch. During warmer months fishermen line up along these banks hoping to catch a fish.

Andrew walking along the spring channel.

Today it was only us looking to spot fish. I peered closely in the water and saw a muskrat swim about. I pointed it out to my son, but he ducked under the shoreline too quick.

Further down the trail, we came across footprints. I took a photo, but not sure what animal left them.

Swing bridge -- Summer Photo — Swingbridge — Summer Photo

We could have walked further on to a swing bridge where the spring meets the Meramec River, but my son wanted to feed the fish again. That was fine with us, it was still a bit of a walk to the bridge from here.

Further up the road ,you can do a historic loop and learn about the village that was once here. Summer Photo — Further up the road, you can do a historic loop and learn about the village that was once here. Summer Photo

More Information

Maramec Spring is a 1,856-acre wildlife refuge and park operated by The James Foundation.

We parked near the Maramec Museum of Natural and Cultural History by the spring.

In the park are two museums — the Maramec Museum of Natural and Cultural History and the Ozark Agriculture Museum. The museums are open from April through October, days and hours vary by season. Call 573-265-3527 or 573-265-7124 for more information.

Rainbow trout fishing can be done here from March 1 through Oct.1. Winter catch-and-release fishing takes place from the second Friday in November to the second Sunday in February.

Required is a Missouri fishing license and a daily tag.

Another view of the spring further from the trout hatchery.

The Maramec Spring Campground is located along the Meramec River with 38 primitive sites and 20 sites with electrical hook-ups. Campsites are available from Feb. 28 – Oct. 30.

The Pick-N-Shovel Cafe located at the park entrance, is open for breakfast and lunch, Wednesday through Sunday, from March 1, through Oct. 31. A shop is also at the entrance.

Pedestrian bridge leading to the fishing area. — The pedestrian bridge leading to the fishing area.

DETAILS:

Drive: Take Interstate 44 south out of St. Louis. Look for exit 195 and turn left onto Highway 8 and take this to Maramec Spring Drive and make a left into the park.

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Admission: $5 per carload

Address: 21880 Maramec Spring Dr, St James, MO 65559

One More Spring

On the way home, we stopped at Hoppe Springs Park in Steelville. We took Highway 8 to Steelville and then from there we took Highway 19 back to Interstate 44 to home.

Andrew checking out the low water dam in the park.

Hoppe Spring is a small city park with spring. My son enjoyed walking up the short trail along the small dammed pond that led to the spring.

Filled with squawking ducks, Andrew watched as they swam about.

It is not a big spring but gushes from a crevice.

On a winter’s day icicles were all around the spring.

Water flowing fast down from the spring.

The water was clear and flowed down to the pond below.

It was a pretty stop on the way back home and allowed the last moment to stretch our legs before heading back to the city.

Also in the park is a historic one-room school and playground.

DETAILS:

Drive: Down Highway 8 from Maramac Spring Park after making a left out of the park then a right onto Highway 19 to Steelville and then a right on Spring Street just after the Dairy Isle Grill in Steelville.

Out of St.Louis take exit 208 and left onto Highway 19 and take this to Steelville. Follow the same directions to the park in Steelville above.

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Address: Church St, Steelville, MO 65565