Markham Springs Recreation Area: Explore Springs, Hiking, and Ozark History

You can explore the many natural springs or stay the night at the five-bedroom stone house at Markham Springs Recreation Area in Mark Twain National Forest.

The name of the recreation area comes from the former owner, M.J. Markham, who acquired the property in 1901 and operated a lumber mill at the site until the 1930s.

Markham Springs Details

Location: Markham Springs Recreation Area, near Ellsinore, Missouri
Area: Mark Twain National Forest
Address: Ellsinore, MO 63937
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Admission: About $5 for day use; check current Forest Service information before visiting
Camping: Available
Main Attractions: Markham Spring, Bubble Spring, additional springs, historic Fuchs House, wheelhouse, pond, and Black River
Hiking: Eagle Bluff Trail is a 2-mile loop
Parking: Parking is available near the picnic area and Fuchs House
Swimming: No swimming at the spring areas; signs are posted
Road Conditions: The access road can have numerous potholes
Best For: Exploring springs, photography, history, short walks and experiencing an Ozark spring area
What to Know: Markham Springs is more than a hiking destination. The recreation area combines several springs with the historic Fuchs House and wheelhouse, a pond, access to the Black River and the Eagle Bluff Trail. Give yourself time to explore beyond the main spring because several different water features are scattered around the area.
The Drive: Take Interstate 55 South 34 miles from downtown St. Louis to exit 174B, merge onto US 67 S, and stay on this road for about 57 miles to the exit for State Highway A, then go south on this road to Williamsville. Here, you will make a right onto Mo-49 for about 3 miles and look for the wooden entrance sign for Markham Spring Recreation Area on your right just past the Black River. The road for the recreation area is immediately after the bridge.

History of the Fuchs Estate

Rudolph Fuchs built a five-bedroom concrete and native stone house for his family in the 1930s.

He also built the present wheelhouse to produce electricity for all his needs. Power was obtained by a dam that was built in a semi-circle below a large spring forming a small pond. Water then poured through a chute on the wheel producing electricity.

Sign providing history and information on the house.

Restoration of the Fuchs House

The historic Fuchs house was restored by a group of craftsmen under permit from the National Forest. Used primarily by these individuals and their families, this house is available for rent by the day, weekend, or week.

Springs

Six springs pour almost five million gallons of water a day into the pond. The bubbling spring, a smaller outlet of Markham Spring outside of the pond area that has air with it, rises in soft sand forming unique “air bubbles.”

Coming up the stairs to the estate at Markham Springs.

Checking Out the Area

I parked by the picnic area near the Fuchs House. I walked up some stairs to gain a closer look at the house and checkout its stonework.

Plant-filled pond. Mark Twain National Forest is conducting assessments and needed repairs on control structures with the water lowered. They will also remove invasive aquatic plants to improve fish habitat.

The pond was filled with lots of water plants. I’ve seen pictures of this pond at a colder time of years and then the water has more of a blue hue than when I saw it filled with plant life.

Wheelhouse for the spring by a wooden bridge

Then I headed around to the front of the pond checking out the wheelhouse. Inside the wheelhouse is some faded information on the springs and area.

Cliffside Spring

From here I walked down a gravel path along with one of the springs flowing nearest the hillside. You can follow this spring along this gravel road towards the Black River. I walked a short way before heading back to the wheelhouse and towards the Bubble Spring.

Bubble Spring

Next, I crossed a bridge near the wheelhouse, close to the main road, and went toward the bubbling spring. This is worth taking time to watch the bubbles percolate up. You can even hear a sort of low burping sound. Walking around these springs is part of the 1/4 mile Bubble Springs Trail and can be easily reached from the two parking areas in the park.

Some of the bubble action is obscured by a green blanket of plants. I found this the most interesting part of my time here. It is subtle and different. You’ll know you’re at these springs since there is a wooden fence to keep you from getting closer and on the fence, it says “No Swimming.”

Spring water flowing out fast from the pond.

I walked north from here coming across water flowing fast from the pond above. This was a faster-flowing spring than the one by the bluff.

Eagle Bluff Trail

This trail is a two mile loop that goes around the hills and the valley along the Black River.

Going Up The Hill

I headed up some old stone steps that end at a foundation. The steps then become wood and lead to switchbacks.

I was hoping to find a place up here that I could look out over the mountains, but this was turning out to be a much longer hike than I had time for so I might do it next time I am out here.

Be careful heading up and down these stairs.

The Canebreak Trail is a 1/3 mile trail that connects the campground to the Fuchs House. — *Starting the Canebreak Trail near the house. This is also near the start of the Eagle Bluff Trail.*

Hike to a Swamp Through The Canebreak Trail

Then I took a walk along a trail behind the house that led back to the spring pond, taking in views of bald cypress trees. The Canebreak Trail is a 1/3-mile trail connecting the campground to the Fuchs House.

*Back spring area—this photo was taken when the pond’s water level was higher.*

Along the Black River at Markham Springs

Checking the Black River Out

I walked over to the boat launch and to see the Black River. Near the launch was a small sandy area. I assume people might swim here sometimes. The river does get deep pretty quickly so if you took a dip here I would be mindful of the current.

I might have stayed longer, but a man and his girlfriend and their dog were here. I felt like I was intruding, and the big dog kept coming towards me. It was time to go.