Finding Southeast Missouri's best fall foliage

The air is a little brisk and the sun is autumn bright. It's a perfect day to take a drive to see fall foliage. Urban forester Rocky Hayes of the Missouri Department of Conservation suggests the best views are those along the river bluffs where different species of trees grow at different levels, creating a diverse palette of color.

Some of the more scenic areas include:

Trail of Tears State Park

Drive along the river bluffs and enjoy the vista.

Bollinger Mill State Park

The view is scenic from Jackson along Highway 34 to the mill and old covered bridge. Enjoy the changing colors of the trees in the state park located at the old mill.

Rural routes

Come home from Bollinger Mill along State Road U instead of going back on Highway 34. From the mill turn left at the school on Highway U and head toward Jackson.

Take Highway 34 past Marble Hill as far as you care to go. The view is spectacular. If you end up in Wayne County, you'll enjoy the colors along the St. Francis River and the Black River.

Cross the Bill Emerson Bridge and drive along Route 3 in Illinois. See the fall colors from the other side of the Mississippi River bluffs.

Illinois Route 127

Enjoy a brisk ride to Cobden and Anna-Jonesboro and enjoy the changing leaves of the apple and peach trees on the farms in that area.

Perry County

In Perry County, take exit 105 from I-55, turn onto Route C and enjoy the scenic drive to the communities of Altenburg and Frohna.

Scott County

Head south on the interstate to Scott City, and from there take Route E to Commerce, Mo., to enjoy the changing colors of the hills and trees.

While in Scott County check out the roads to Benton, Chaffee and Morley. The drive along Highway 25 is especially colorful.

In the city

Drive around Cape Girardeau. The vista around Cape Rock Drive is just as beautiful as any outside the city limits. And the city parks offer their own autumn beauty.

lredeffer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160