Maramec Spring Park: River + Trout + Trails
Maramec Spring Park is a privately-owned 1,500-acre refuge open to the public. Its most-renowned feature is the spring that bears its name, gushing forth 100 million gallons daily. This stunning location also features about 10 miles of trails, ranging from paved, to gravel, to natural surface. If you love the rugged country of southern Missouri, put Maramec Spring Park on your itinerary.
Maramec Spring Park
Maramec is the home of a spring gushing 100 million gallons of crystalline water per day – and much more.
Trail Trails at Maramec Spring Park
Overview
First off a clarification:
This is Maramec Spring Park
This is not Meramec State Park
They are spelled differently and they are different locations.
The park profiled here, Maramec Spring Park, is privately owned by The James Foundation and is open to the public. Missouri’s tourism website describes it like this: “Maramec Spring Park is one of the most beautiful spots to be found in Missouri.” The most renowned feature of the park is the spring, the state’s fifth largest, producing 100 million gallons daily. The blue hue of the source pool is striking. It’s also surreal to see thousands of trout swimming freely (stocked by the Missouri Department of Conservation). For hikers’ purposes, the park contains about 10 miles of trails in its approximately 1,500 acres. History buffs will be interested in the remnant of its 1829 iron works buildings. The park is comprehensive in providing outdoor opportunities: a trout hatchery, museums, a café, store, camping, playgrounds and picnic shelters. Note that some of these activities are only seasonably available, so know before you go. There is a $5 per car entrance fee.
Trail Lengths
The River Walk Trail is a 1.8-mile, partially-paved trail exploring the spring and riverside in the 200-acre public use area. The area around the spring is accessible to all.
1.6-mile Leather Britches Trail
The more rugged 6-mile Ballhooter Loop
Address and location
Maramec Springs Park, 21880 Maramec Spring Dr, St James, MO 65559
Distance
Maramec Spring Park is a four-hour drive from Downtown Kansas City. It’s surrounded by numerous hiking opportunities, making it a great weekend trip. These include Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri Conservation Areas, Onandaga Cave State Park and the other “mec” – Meramec State Park.
Conditions
The paved trails in the public use area are well maintained and suitable for all. The natural surface trails tackle more rugged terrain.
Kid friendly? The paved trail around the spring is easy and stroller friendly. Parents will need to be mindful of water safety. The natural surface trails are more challenging and children will need to be able to carry their own weight.
How busy? In season, this is a high-traffic area and popular destination.
Pets Yes, on a leash.
Elephant Rocks trails explore a world of granite
Elephant Rocks, in southeast Missouri, is one of the state’s most well-known parks. The “elephants” – giant, mostly pink granite boulders – draw people from across state lines. The tallest of these rises 27 feet above ground level, weighing more than one million pounds. How did these rocks come to be? The short history is that they are the eroded remnants of molten rock (magma). At one time, the area served as a granite quarry, and remnants of this work are evident in the park. Stones excavated from it were used to build much of downtown St. Louis and the columns on the front porch of the Governor’s Mansion. Although this park is well known, it’s relatively small at only 140 acres. The trails total 1.5 miles in length. Elephant Rocks is located in a remote part of the state, but it’s near other top attractions such as Johnson’s Shut-Ins and Tom Sauk Mountain state parks.
Elephant Rocks State Park
Ancient flows of magma and erosion have sculpted the unusual formations that resulted in Elephant Rocks State Park.
Trail Trails at Elephant Rocks State Park
Overview
Elephant Rocks, in southeast Missouri, is one of the state’s most well-known parks. The “elephants” – giant, mostly pink granite boulders – draw people from across state lines. The tallest of these rises 27 feet above ground level, weighing more than one million pounds. How did these rocks come to be? The short history is that they are the eroded remnants of molten rock (magma). At one time, the area served as a granite quarry, and remnants of this work are evident in the park. Stones excavated from it were used to build much of downtown St. Louis and the columns on the front porch of the Governor’s Mansion. Although this park is well known, it’s relatively small at only 140 acres. The trails total 1.5 miles in length. Elephant Rocks is located in a remote part of the state, but it’s near other top attractions such as Johnson’s Shut-Ins and Tom Sauk Mountain state parks.
Length The combined distance of the two trail loops is 1.5 miles.
Address and location
Elephant Rocks State Park, 7390, 7406 MO-21, Belleview, Mo., 63623
Distance Elephant Rocks is a five-hour drive from Downtown Kansas City. A trip can be maximized by combining it with visits to nearby Johnson’s Shut-Ins and Tom Sauk Mountain state parks.
Conditions
Although the landscape is rugged, this natural surface trail is an easy walk.
Kid friendly? This easy walk should be accessible to most children. They may enjoy playing on the rocks, with some supervision for safety.
How busy? In season, this is a high-traffic area and popular destination.
Pets Yes, on a leash.
This Rugged Mid-Missouri Hike Leads to a Natural Bridge
Those who endure the bumpy, backroads drive to Clifty Creek Conservation Area will be glad they persevered. This nearly 500-acre preserve, near Rolla, Mo., rewards nature lovers. A moderately-difficult 2.5-mile loop includes a spectacular natural bridge. This arch, spanning about 40 feet, was formed by erosive forces that wore down dolomite rock. In the rainy season, the area is even more scenic as water tumbles under the bridge and merges with Clifty Creek. Beyond the natural bridge, this is a rugged, forested area featuring cliffs, rock outcroppings and overhangs and sandstone glades. It also includes mossy, bottomland vegetation with ferns and plants that thrive on a moist environment.
Clifty Creek Conservation Area in central Missouri.
Clifty Creek Conservation Area rewards visitors to this remote area of central Missouri.
Trail Clifty Creek Conservation Area Loop
Overview
Those who endure the bumpy, backroads drive to Clifty Creek Conservation Area will be rewarded. This nearly 500-acre preserve, near Rolla, Mo., rewards nature lovers. A moderately-difficult 2.5-mile loop includes a spectacular natural bridge. This arch, spanning about 40 feet, was formed by erosive forces that wore down dolomite rock. In the rainy season, the area is even more scenic as water tumbles under the bridge and merges with Clifty Creek. Beyond the natural bridge, this is a rugged, forested area featuring cliffs, rock outcroppings and overhangs and sandstone glades. It also includes mossy, bottomland vegetation with ferns and plants that thrive on a moist environment.
Length The scenic loop is 2.5 miles.
Address and location
Clifty Creek Conservation Area, 31825 Maries Roadd 511, Dixon, Mo. 65459. When using GPS, make sure you are seeking the trailhead instead of the conservation area itself. The location of the trailhead is shown below.
Distance Clifty Creek Conservation Area is about 3 and one-half hours from Downtown Kansas City. A visit to this area can be combined with other regional hikes, which include Maramec Spring Park, other conservation areas and Mark Twain National Forest. The closest large town is Rolla.
Conditions
This is a rocky, narrow trail with a total elevation gain of about 400 feet. It is generally well-marked and easy to follow. Trekking poles can help stabilize walkers on inclines, loose rock and wet terrain. Note that this is a Missouri Conservation Area, which is open to hunting. Take appropriate precautions when visiting during peak hunting seasons. Learn more in our video and article, “Hunters and Hikers: Can We All Get Along?”
Kid friendly? Children will need to be able to walk (or be carried) 2.5 miles on challenging terrain. There are some steep drop-offs on the trail.
How busy? This is a remote area with low-to-moderate traffic.
Pets Yes, on a leash.
A “Giant” Hike in the Southern Illinois Ozarks
This place is giant. Giant City, that is. Hemmed in by forest, massive sandstone structures rise above the trees. The shapes of these rocks vary throughout the park’s 4,000 acres. There are boulders, bluffs and overhangs, plus narrow walkways that appear to be cut by a giant table saw. This area resulted from a shallow sea delta that was slowly settled and cemented. Seismic uplift and earthquakes elevated and “roughed up” the area, resulting in what today are known as the Shawnee Hills. The region is often referred to as the Illinois Ozarks, but it is not part of the Ozark Plateau or Missouri mountain ranges. The environment – set in Shawnee National Forest – is spectacular. Numerous trails crisscross the park, providing exposure to diverse natural environments.
Giant City State Park in Southern Illinois.
An ancient sea floor, uplifted by seismic pressure, has resulted in spectacular rock formations in the midst of Shawnee National Forest.
Trail Giant City State Park
Overview
This place is giant. Giant City, that is. Hemmed in by forest, massive sandstone structures rise above the trees. The shapes of these rocks vary throughout the park’s 4,000 acres. There are boulders, bluffs and overhangs, plus narrow walkways that appear to be cut by a giant table saw. This area resulted from a shallow sea delta that was slowly settled and cemented. Seismic uplift and earthquakes elevated and “roughed up” the area, resulting in what today are known as the Shawnee Hills. The region is often referred to as the Illinois Ozarks, but it is not part of the Ozark Plateau or Missouri mountain ranges. The environment – set in Shawnee National Forest – is spectacular. Numerous trails crisscross the park, providing exposure to diverse natural environments.
Length There are more than 15 miles of hiking trails throughout the park.
Address and location
Giant City State Park, 235 Giant City Road, Makanda, IL 62958
Conditions
There are a wide variety of trails in the park, ranging from paved, entry-level to challenging overnight backpacking routes.
Kid friendly? There’s a great deal here for kids to enjoy. In addition there are playgrounds and picnic areas. Parents should know the trail they are selecting to make sure it’s not too difficult for kids.
How busy? This is a popular area. For a quieter experience, visit during the week and offseason.
Pets Yes, on a leash.
Hike Southern Illinois’ Little Grand Canyon
A highlight of Southern Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest is the Little Grand Canyon Trail. It’s a deep, rocky ravine created by the erosive power of water. This stunning geological feature is the focal point of the 3-mile trail. Its rugged beauty, set in deep forest, rivals the best of the Missouri Ozarks. At the bottom of the canyon, the trail leads through lush bottomland forest next to a creek and towering cliffs. Seasonal waterfalls are abundant. Before completing the loop, hikers will pass a high bluff providing scenic views of the Mississippi River Valley.
The Little Grand Canyon in Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest.
The erosive power of water has created stunning rock formations, including the steep ravine that is this trail’s namesake.
Trail Little Grand Canyon trail
Overview
Scenic hiking in Illinois? Yes! Southern Illinois rugged Shawnee Hills region resembles the Missouri Ozarks. A greenbelt, including the 289,000-acre Shawnee National Forest, extends from the Mississippi River to the Ohio River. A highlight of this area is what’s known as the “Little Grand Canyon.” It’s a deep, rocky ravine created by the erosive power of water. This stunning geological feature is the focal point of the 3-mile trail in Shawnee National Forest. Its rugged beauty, set in the midst of deep forest, rivals the best of the Missouri Ozarks. At the bottom of the canyon, the trail leads through lush bottomland forest next to a creek and towering cliffs. Seasonal waterfalls are abundant. Before completing the loop, hikers will pass a high bluff providing scenic views of the Mississippi River Valley.
Length 3 miles
Address and location
The trailhead, which includes a parking and picnic area and restrooms, is in a remote area near Pomona, Illinois. Your map app will lead you to the trailhead, but a map is posted here as well.
Conditions
This well-marked trail begins with asphalt and shifts to natural surface. The terrain is steep, with an estimated elevation gain of more than 400 feet. In addition, the trail through the canyon is based on smooth rock, which is slippery even without water. After rain, the chances of slipping and injuring yourself increase. Trekking poles and soles with traction or spikes are recommended.
Kid friendly? There is much here for children to enjoy if they can walk three miles and manage the challenges and elevation gains. Parents will need to assist for children’s safety.
How busy? This is a popular area. For a quieter experience, visit during the week and offseason.
Pets Yes, on a leash.
