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From St. Louis: Take I-55 South, exit 174B for US-67 South, take exit for MO-221 West, Turn left onto Main St./Old Hwy 21, Turn left onto MO-21 South, continue onto MO-49 South, park will be on the left. From the South: Take US-67 North, take exit for MO-34 West, turn right onto MO-143 North, turn right onto MO-49 north, park will be on the right |
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There are several state parks, historic sites, trails, and museums near Big Creek RV Park. Enjoy their stunning beauty by hiking, backpacking, picnicking, biking, horseback riding, birdwatching, or just taking a scenic drive. Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park According to Wikipedia, a "shut-in" is "a narrow channel because of hard rock and is unnavigable." Johnson's Shut-Ins is on the Black River, which weaves its way through the shut-ins, splashing and churning in a spectacular way. The rock creates a natural waterslide in some areas. This is the most visited state park in the state of Missouri, and the fifth most visited state park in the United States. Elephant Rocks State Park Huge, granite boulders as large as elephants are what give this spectacular park its name. These boulders sit atop a hill, just like circus elephants. The largest rock, Dumbo, weighs 680 tons. It is 27 feet tall, 35 feet long, and 17 feet wide. This is a must-see on your trip--perfect for hiking and photography. Taum Sauk Mountain State Park Taum Sauk Mountain, at 1,772 feet, is the highest point in Missouri. Hike the 3-mile loop (1.5 miles each way) to Mina Sauk Falls, the highest wet-weather falls in Missouri. The water cascades over 132 feet of igneous rock ledges, with a wonderful view of the St. Francois Mountains from the top of the falls. Fort Davidson State Historic Site and Museum The Battle of Pilot Knob, waged on Sept. 26th and 27th, 1864, was one of the largest battles fought in Missouri. It was key in the failure of Gen. Sterling Price's raid on the state of Missouri. Today, the walls, the moat, the gun platform of the fort are still intact, as well as the crater left by the explosion of the powder magazine. There is also a Civil War History Museum at the site. Black River The Black River forms near Pilot Knob in the Mark Twain National Forest of Iron County, then flows southward through Reynolds, Wayne and Butler Counties into Arkansas to its confluence with the Current River at Pocahontas. Missouri Mines State Historic Site Since about 1720, lead has been big business in the eastern Ozarks. There's no better place to explore that history than at Missouri Mines State Historic Site. There you can see the processing plant of the former St. Joe Lead Company, which has been turned into a museum. Millstream Gardens Millstream Gardens Conservation Area, off State Hwy. 72, is a 697-acre tract of land that showcases all the beauty the Ozark mountain area has to offer. St. Joe State Park This park, at 8,238 acres, is Missouri's third largest state park. There are about 2,000 acres set aside for the ORV (off-road vehicle) riding area. Special rules and regulations apply, so contact the park office at 573-431-1069 for information or visit their website. In addition to the ORV riding, there are hiking & biking and equestrian trails, picnic sites, and a lake for swimming and fishing. Iron County Historical Society The Iron County Historical Society was founded in 1974, with a mission to "preserve and share the rich history of Iron County, Missouri." You can find the Iron County Historical Society and their museum in the Whistle Junction Visitor Center in Arcadia, MO. Mark Twain National Forest The beautiful Ozarks serve as a setting to Mark Twain National Forest. There are a wide variety of activities available, including trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. ATV riding is permitted in certain areas with a National Forest permit. |