Favorite SEMO destinations to explore
School is out for summer and what I don't like to hear from my son is, "Mom, there's nothing to do!"
There is absolutely plenty to do in southeast Missouri in the summer, especially when you consider all of our wonderful conservation areas. We have places to hike, watch birds, fish, collect bugs, leaves and rocks, climb rocks or my favorite -- wade in a creek and look for crawdads.
If you're looking for places off the beaten path where you can keep your children busy in the outdoors this summer, check out the following areas:
Marble Creek:
Off highway E, west of Fredericktown, is Marble Creek. It's only a few hours drive from Cape Girardeau and has been a favorite of my family for decades. The water flowing through Marble Creek is just as cool and refreshing now as it was 20 years ago and the rocks are still just as fun to climb on. If you explore the area you can find swimming holes or wading pools, depending on your preference. As part of the Mark Twain National Forest, Marble Creek boasts colorful deposits of dolomite that was once mined from the area. The old mill pool is a great area for easy creek swimming.
Lake Girardeau Conservation Area:
Lake Girardeau Conservation Area is near Crump in Cape Girardeau County, 14 miles southwest of Jackson on State Highway U and RA. The lake features two disabled-accessible fishing piers and a concrete boat ramp and offers good fishing for bass, bluegill, catfish and crappie. This conservation area is a great place if you want to feel like you're escaping to the countryside without taking a long drive. Serene and peaceful, it's a great destination to fish or have a picnic.
Castor River Conservation Area:
The Castor River Conservation Area's main tract lies 12 miles west of Marble Hill on both sides of State Highway 34. The area is nearly all forest and is home to Blue Pond Natural Area, which is the deepest natural pond in Missouri. This area has primitive camping, a multi-use hike/bike/horse trail, numerous intermittent streams and one permanent stream.
Amidon Memorial Conservation Area:
The shut-ins at Amidon are delightful. This gorgeous area is another favorite of the Davis family. The 1 mile Cedar Glade Trail follows a loop and leads right to the shut-ins and glades. Castor River flows through the area with pools, riffles, the shut-in and small waterfalls. Downstream of the shut-ins you may spot colorful small fishes such as the Ozark minnow, bleeding shiner, rainbow darter and striped fantail darter. The stream can be a welcome relief on a hot summer day and makes for good wading.
Amidon is located east of Fredericktown. Take Highway 72 to Highway J. Turn east onto Highway J and continue for 4.6 miles to the junction with Highway W. Turn right (south) onto Highway W and go 2.4 miles to the end of the pavement. Turn left (east) on CR 208 and drive 1.1 miles to the junction with CR 253. Turn left (north) on CR 253 and proceed 0.9 mile to the parking area and trailhead on the right (east) side of the gravel road.
Millstream Gardens:
Millstream Gardens Conservation Area is 8 miles west of Fredericktown on Highway 72. This is a predominantly forest area that includes 20 acres of shut-ins on the St. Francis River, and features a boat ramp, picnic area, pavilion, archery range and St. Francis River Natural Area in Madison County. The spectacular Tiemann Shut-ins are within the area's boundaries.
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center:
The Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center offers inside exhibits as well as trails to hike. They also lend Discover Nature daypacks--birds, insects, trees, aquatic life, art and naturalist skills -- for families and groups to use. The nature center also lends fishing poles and bait for use in the Kids' Only fishing pond. Check out the schedule of naturalist led programs or call (573)290-5218.
These areas are great proof that there is a plethora of outdoor opportunities for our children to enjoy the summer months. Keep in mind that all of these places not only offer fun times; they can also offer your children a lifetime of memories and a personal appreciation of nature. They certainly won't be saying there isn't anything to do while school is out.
More information on these and other conservation areas can be found on the Missouri Department of Conservation website, mdc.mo.gov. You can look up conservation areas in a searchable, by region, format, and find out what specific features each conservation area has to offer and how to get there.
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