Much to Explore at Babler State Park

Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park has a cave-like spring, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) architect, and many hiking trails to explore. I walked numerous trails in the park and have included the highlights of my adventures here. Dogwood Trail This trail is a two-mile loop going through woods and going up and down hills and through ravines. Starting the Hike I parked at Guy…

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Pickle Springs: Best Missouri Ozark Hike Near St. Louis

Pickle Springs Natural Area is a two-mile hike that highlights some of the best of the Missouri Ozarks. It has wet weather waterfalls, springs, sandstone rock formations, and even views of the surrounding mountains. Natural History of Pickle Springs The sandstone rock here was formed from the sandy beaches of a shallow ocean that existed here 500 million years ago. Since then years of erosion…

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Checking Out Markham Springs

You can explore the many natural springs or stay the night at the five-bedroom stone house at Markham Springs Recreation Area in Mark Twain National Forest. The name of the recreation area comes from the former owner, M.J. Markham, who acquired the property in 1901 and operated a lumber mill at the site until the 1930s. History of the Fuchs Estate Rudolph Fuchs built a…

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Hiking In a Swamp at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge

Hiking on a boardwalk in a swamp along with Ozark mountain views is in the mix at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. History Formed from an abandoned channel of the Mississippi River about 18,000 years ago when the river shifted east possibly due to a New Madrid fault earthquake. In the early 20th century settlers tried to drain the swamp for farmland as they have done…

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Feeding Trout at Maramec Spring Park

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

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