Many regional parks allow nature-lovers to view autumn's changes

Every autumn, Mother Nature puts on a color show.

In many parts of the country, leaves will transform into bright yellows, golds and reds, showing their rich and vibrant hues. The fall color spectacle fortunately doesn't bypass Missouri, where the change in leaf colors starts in late September and usually peaks in mid-October. By late October, colors begin to fade and trees begin to drop their leaves.

Southeast Missouri is not without its share of fall-color vistas for people to admire. Joe Garvey, forestry regional supervisor at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, said that he expects the region's fall color to peak by the third week of October.

"Tell everyone to turn off the television, get off the couch and take a walk. Missouri's fall color is worth it," Garvey said.

To that end, the Southeast Missourian, with the help of the Department of Conservation, is providing a list of the region's notable fall-color- viewing areas that are within a short drive from Cape Girardeau.

Views of surrounding farmland from the fire tower at Knob Lick CA.

White Oak Trace

Located next to the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center at 2289 County Park Drive

The White Oak Trace offers delightful fall colors that can be enjoyed within the city limits of Cape Girardeau. White Oak Trace features two miles of nature trails allowing visitors to traverse rolling river hills with sinkholes, deep hollows and ravines covered with prominent stands of poplar and oak that display exceptional fall colors, especially in the mornings.

"White Oak Trace gets points in my book for being right here in town while feeling like it's so far out of town," said Candice Davis, spokeswoman for the Department of Conservation Southeast region.

Castor River Shut-Ins

Main entrance east of Fredericktown, Mo., on County Road 208

The Castor River Shut-Ins contain the only known pink granite shut-ins in Missouri. The area also contains widely scattered shortleaf pine, blackjack oak and farkleberry trees contributing to the area's rich fall colors.

"This is a very picturesque area where the fall color will contrast with the pink granite shut-ins," Davis said.

Mill Stream Gardens Conservation Area

Eight miles west of Fredericktown on Highway 72

The Mill Stream Gardens Conservation Area is a predominantly forested area consisting of 916 acres. The area's woodlands are composed primarily of oak and hickory in the uplands, and ash, elm and maple along the river border and its drainages, all of which combine to offer majestic fall-color vistas.

"This is my personal favorite place to walk the trail in the fall and bring my camera along," Davis said.

Trail of Tears State Park

429 Moccasin Springs Road, Jackson

The always popular Trail of Tears State Park has for decades been an area mainstay for fall-color viewing. The Indian Creek Wild Area section of the park features hardwood forests of white oak, black oak, tulip poplar and hickory. The park's location next to the Mississippi offers majestic views of the river, the area's forest and beyond, making the more than 3,400-acre state park one of the best places in Missouri for viewing fall color.

"Trail of Tears is hard to beat when you consider the massive view," Garvey said.

Knob Lick Towersite

10 miles south of Farmington, Mo., on Highway 67; then west on Canterberry County Road for a quarter of a mile; then northwest on Knob Lick Tower road

Knob Lick Towersite is an 80-acre towersite that was used as a fire-detection tower to locate wildfires in southern St. Francois and northern Madison counties. The tower now is seldom used, but it continues to provide a commanding view of the area which includes views of fall colors as far as the eye can see, particularly those in the Flatwoods Valley. A small granite glade provides a panoramic view of the same area for those who prefer to sightsee from the ground.

"I love the view from the tower," Davis said, "especially because it's one of the only places I've been able to be above the vultures as they fly around."

Shawnee National Forest

In Southern Illinois, the Shawnee National Forest also has an abundance of fall colors.

Rebecca Williams, fall-color coordinator for the Shawnee National Forest, said that the LaRue Pine Hills on the forest's west side has "pretty" fall-color vistas. On the park's east side is Garden of the Gods, which offers panoramic views of fall colors.

"Visitors can drive up the trail head and look at terrific colors," Williams said. "The Rim Rock Trail also has great views."

Amanda Patrick, public affairs officer for the Shawnee National Forest, said that she hopes people take advantage of viewing the forest's colors.

"We welcome visitors anytime," Patrick said, "but especially in the fall. Colors are beginning to change, and we hope people have a safe and enjoyable visit."

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The Department of Conservation has a mobile app called "Mo Fall Colors" with weekly fall color forecasts, GPS info and photos of current fall color scenes across the state. For more information, visit mdc.mo.gov/mobile/mobile-apps/mo-fall-colors. For more information on the Shawnee National Forest, visit fs.usda.gov/shawnee.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent addresses: 2289 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO

50 Highway 145 South, Harrisburg, ILL