Daytripper - Mastodon State Historic Site

During several of my outdoor excursions, I have found unusual places; hidden off old two-lane roads or tucked away beyond the tree line of an overgrown path. However, it is rare I find unusual places directly off an interstate exit ramp. Mastodon is one of those rare occasions.

Mastodon State Historic Site is home to one of the most significant and incredible archeological sites in the state- The Kimmswick Bone Bed. Here the bones of nearly 60 mastodons were excavated. These elephant-like creatures roamed Missouri over 12,000 years ago.

While mastodons were known to have lived in this part of the country; it wasn't till the Kimmswick discovery that the coexistence of humans and mastodons was documented. A stone spear point was discovered in the bone bed; in direct association with the bones of the mastodons, thus proving that early Native Americans and mastodons once shared the same land.

Today, Mastodon State Historic Site preserves the archeological location and provides information through its museum. The museum takes you through the remarkable story of the Kimmswick Bone Bed. Exhibits feature bone fragments and human artifacts from the site, as well as photographs from past excavations. The museum's centerpiece is a life-size replica of a mastodon skeleton.

The site also offers visitors 425 acres of unique trails and eclectic scenery; including elderly forests, abandoned quarries, and moss-covered bluffs. Outside the museum is a 1/2 mile trail leading downward to the bone bed. At one point the trail is interrupted by deep, descending, linear stairwells; installed to help hikers negotiate the steep incline.

Other trails include the Spring Branch Trail (3/4-mile); which features a hike along a small creek, and the Limestone Hill Trail (2-1/4 miles) which leads hikers along an arduous stone path.

If hiking is not your thing, the picnic area offers a nice area to relax. For road trippers, it also features barbecue grills and horseshoe pits.

In my opinion, Mastodon only has two minor drawbacks - the presence of interstate noise and the absence of mountain bike trails. However, the site is still definitely worth the drive. Mastodon State Historic Site offers an unusual combination of terrain for the avid hiker or the weekend traveler. I would recommend Mastodon to anyone looking for an interesting day trip.

Unlike our Native American ancestors, we will never get to walk with the mastodons. However, thanks to this site, we can follow the footsteps of these pre-historic beasts through the forests they once roamed.

DAY TRIP DIRECTIONS:

1) Take Interstate 55 north to exit 186.

2) Turn left and follow the signs.

Total distance from Cape Girardeau to Mastodon State Historic Site: 96 miles