A tall narrow cave in limestone is at the end of a two-mile out-and-back hike at Sandy Creek Natural Tunnel Conservation Area. (Sadly, this land is no longer available for hiking and no longer open…
Date Archives September 2022
Edward “Ted” and Pat Jones – Confluence State Park Hike
Two mighty rivers, the Mississippi and Missouri, come together at the Edward “Ted” and Pat Jones- Confluence Point State Park. The park is located east of West Alton, Mo., in St. Charles County, Mo. You…
Indian Camp Creek Park Hike
Hiking along Big Creek and exploring prairie fields and wooded hills is a day at Indian Camp Creek Park north of Wentzville, Mo. It is St. Charles County’s largest park at 603 acres and has…
Starved Rock State Park: Ottawa and Kaskaskia Canyons and Council Overhang
Hiking into Ottawa and Kaskaskia Canyons at Starved Rock State Park we found two waterfalls and Council Overhang cave. This area was easier than many of the hikes at Starved Rock State Park since the…
Starved Rock State Park: Hiking French Canyon
French Canyon has walls that are 45 feet tall and is the first canyon you come to from the Visitor’s Center parking lot. It was named after the French explorers who first visited this area…
Staying at Starved Rock Lodge and First Hike
Our family spent a night at Starved Rock Lodge and then took a walk to see bright orange sundown over the Illinois River bluffs. Staying the night at the lodge at Starved Rock State Park…
Hike Among Waterfalls at Matthiessen State Park
Find a canyon with waterfalls, cascades, and pools combine to give delight to hikers at Matthiessen State Park near Oglesby, Il. History of Matthiessen State Park Frederick William Matthiessen purchased the land at the end…
Exploring Buffalo Rock State Park and Historic Ottawa
Seeing buffalo and hiking out on a bluff that juts out towards the water was part of my time at Buffalo Rock State Park near Ottawa, Ill. After stopping here, we went into Ottawa and…