St. Francois State Park Hike

A hike by a clear stream that leads to a waterfall and finding a mineshaft are two highlights of my time at St. Francois State Park.

MOONER’S HOLLOW TRAIL

This is a 3-mile hike with 291 feet of elevation gain on a natural surface that can be rocky in parts.

Parking and a playground — *Parking is by a playground*

At the Start

Parking for this trail is at the front end of the park after you pass the turnoff for the Park Office. There is plenty of spaces here for hikers and picnics and even a playground for kids.

I walked down to the wooden bridge near the picnic area and crossed Coonville Creek. Here I walked along the creek bank.

Water ripples along the creek as fish dart about in the deeper pools.

I head up into an area with cliffs and dolomite boulders covered with mosses and liverleaf.

Following Coonville Creek

*Look for blue trail markers along the hike to keep going in the right direction.*

As I walk I cross intermittent streams and go through small groves of evergreens.

Head up for a bit into a glade with views of the surrounding countryside before crossing a fern-covered tributary. Then I reach the waterfall.

Stopping at the Waterfall

I took my time going up the paths to get closer to the waterfall. This is my favorite place in the park.

*Checking out the different layers of the falls.*

The cascades flow down in different rocky layers here. Paths go around to the right and left of the falls ending at it. Signs on each side note that this is not the trail to help you not get lost.

*Stepping stones crossing Coonville Creek.*

Stepping stones are here to walk across the creek to continue on the trail.

Heading Away from the Falls

Going into the hills, I pass by small tributaries flowing into Coonville Creek. I go by more stands of evergreens that cast shadows over the trail.

A slow hike down a ridge gives views of far-off hills.

Back Along the Coonville Creek

The trail begins to come closer to Coonville Creek once more with small streams going to it. Cliffs begin to line up alongside the hillsides. One huge cliff creates an overhang, next time I’m here with the kid we might explore it more.

Then, I hear voices in the distance and I was back at the entrance. Where this trail comes out is unmarked by the parking area side. It seems to be encouraged to start the trail from the bridge.

Final Thoughts

Seeing the cascading waterfall is a good mile hike if that is all you want to see. I liked the three-mile loop overall since it goes through an Ozark terrain of hills, streams, and cliffs.

This is easy to get to the Ozark hike is only about an hour from St. Louis and just off Highway 67 and worth a stop for a day hike in the woods.

MORE TRAILS

Swimming Deer Trail

The trailhead for this 3.2-mile loop trail is located near the bathhouse for the campground.

Small cave along the hike — *Small cave*

A small cave can be found near the start of the section along the Big River.

Peering down into the mine shaft. — *Be careful near the mine shaft that goes straight down.*

A mine shaft is along the section away from the river.

Pike Run Trail

Parts of this trail follow old logging roads. It is a 10.25-mile trail overall but can be divided into a 4.3-mile trail or a 6.7-mile trail. This is a wild trail and goes far back into the park. This trail can include staying a night at a backpacking camp.

HISTORICAL FACTS ABOUT ST. FRANCOIS STATE PARK

Mining Here

The first settlers in the area came to work the many lead mines around the park and remnants of this mining can be seen in the park.

Names of Places in the Park

Place names in the area give an idea of another part of the local cultural heritage. Many residents can still remember the moonshine stills that flourished in Mooner’s Hollow. Coonville Creek, which runs through Mooner’s Hollow, was a good source of cold, clear water – one of the most valuable ingredients for making good moonshine. According to local custom, it is called moonshine because “it seemed to work out better if concocted in the night under the light of an Ozark moon.”

DETAILS:

Swimming is available at the beach in the park during the summer months. The bathhouse has restrooms. Check the park website for more information or closures due to hunting.

Drive: Take Interstate 55 south of St. Louis. Take exit 174B for Highway 67 south. Then look for the sign for St. Francois State Park and make a left onto the park road for the state park. Mooner’s Hollow Trailhead can be found in the first parking lot on the left. Parking for the other trails is further into the park.

Hours: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily April – October; 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily November – March. Camping is available.

Address: 8920 US Highway 67 North, Bonne Terre, MO 63628