The stone-cut walls of a barred and locked sanatorium next to Welch Spring is what I found on my journey to Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

History of Welch Spring Sanatorium

In 1913 an Illinois doctor named C.H. Diehl bought Welch Spring for eight hundred dollars.

He believed the spring had healing properties and that the cool pollen-free air from the nearby cave would be beneficial for people who suffer from asthma, emphysema, and tuberculosis. Diehl said it worked for him.

The doctor tapped into this clean air by constructing a hospital over the mouth of the cave to force more air from the cavern into the building for the patients. He also added a small low water dam around the spring.

Nowadays this might have been called a “health spa.”

Sadly, due to the lack of roads to the area back then, the place was not a big success. Diehl died in 1940 and the remains of the stone hospital are what you can see today.

Short Hike to Welch Spring

The wide trail upstream from Welch Landing canoe launch is about a half-mile walk. It goes along a spring branch to Welch Spring, with the rapidly flowing Current River on the other side.

Along the trail is a bluff with lots of plant life growing into the rock bed.

At the Spring

The trail comes to an end and across the rapids and partial dam is the hospital a bit covered in the woods from this viewpoint. Cold spring water flows from below the high cliff. I have read that there is a small trail that leads above the bluff from this side but I was unable to locate it.

A group of canoeists was also here so I was not alone. I am not sure why they hadn’t embarked on the other side where there is a small pull-off for canoes by the river nearer the sanatorium.

You are not supposed to go through springs and disturb the rare plant life that survives. Yet, they traversed the chilly fast-flowing water to the other side.

What I did Twice to Get There

I went down to the Current River held my phone above my head and crossed the river to the other side. Then I crossed back over where the canoe pull-off was.

Although I would not recommend this unless you are a good swimmer. The river current is strong and, combined with the freezing water from the spring, makes it a tough slog through the river.

Reaching the Santorium in 2026

In 2026, I went to the right of where the trail ends at the spring. If it is not flooding, you can go across the rocks to the cliff and go around to the sanatorium. Although this is also not easy to do and is treacherous.

Touring the Sanatorium Remains

At the sanatorium ruins, I walked up some stairs to check out the back and look above into the mouth of the cave far below.

Bars were on all the windows and doors. It was worth walking around and checking the whole place out. Inside you can see trees and bushes taking over. The Earth reclaiming what man had built.

In the front, you can see that it was a three-story rock building with windows on the second story built right into the cliff walls.

At the bottom, there is a doorway now blocked by metal bars. Looking into it I saw what would have been an entrance to the cave and then a maybe a stone fountain. This all was backed up by a lichen filled bluff.

Springs From the Sanatorium Side

You can gain better views of the springs from the sanatorium side. The clear water flows out in a fast rapid through the broken dam and rocks. There are also the remains of steps to the springs below.

Near the steps, there is information on the history that you can read. The site is amazing all together.

Back through the Water

I slogged back through the water again, trying my best not to disturb the fishermen who eyed me as I went by. The canoeists were also leaving. Yet, I didn’t really talk with them since I was really focused on finding my way through the river and back.

Heading back to the Trailhead

Along the trail, I stopped at a boulder along the water.

I also went out to the Current River by the boat launch. A large sandbar is here. It looks like people have done campfires on the sandbar in the past from the burnt wood.

Someone had used the rocks to make a dam to back up water. Something I and my son have done before on this river.

View from the spring from the Sanatorium side.

DETAILS:

Drive: Take Interstate 44 southwest out of St. Louis and then take Exit 195 and go south on Missouri Highway 8. Next, make a right onto Missouri Highway 68 going south, and then make a right onto Missouri Highway 19, then make a right onto Missouri Highway KK. Next, you will make a right onto Missouri Highway K in Akers and look for the turn-off for Wech Spring on the left at about 1.5 miles. If you come to a gravel road on the right, you’ve gone too far. This is a rough road, so it’s best for high clearance vehicles. You’ll go all the way down to a gravel circle drive, and parking is in this area for the hike.

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Admission: Free

Address: Jadwin, MO 65505

Nearby –Devils Well

Devils Well was formed when the roof of a huge cavern, containing an underground lake, collapsed. This resulted in creating a large sinkhole, with an opening through which you can view the lake. The water level is about 100 feet below the platform, and the lake may be as much as 80 feet deep.

A staircase has been built to allow viewing and a light that can be activated by a switch in the stairway to gain a very view.

It is pretty dark and requires a long walk up and downstairs which I had done before. I didn’t have time to check it out on this trip.

A 4.6-mile foot trail leads from Devils Well to Cave Spring on the Current River. Water from Devils Well has been traced to the outlet of Cave Spring.

DETAILS

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Admission: Free

Address : Devil’s Well Rd, Salem, MO 65560

More Halloween Hikes

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Halloween Hikes: Arnold City Park

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Halloween Hikes: Fort Belle Fontaine

Grounds of a former 19th century U.S. Military installation and ruins of a popular summer retreat in the 1930s can be explored at Fort Belle Fontaine County Park in North St. Louis County.

Cemetery at Robertsville State Park

Halloween Hikes: Robertsville State Park Cemetery Walk

Views of the Meramec River and walk through spicebush and lush forests and creeks can be found at Robertsville State Park along with a trip to an electrified cemetery.

Halloween Hikes: Route 66 State Park

Hiking along a former street in a ghost town near the skeletal remains of a Route 66 bridge across the Meramec River was my destination. This area has a lot of history, from once being a resort town to becoming contaminated by the dangerous chemical of dioxin.

Halloween Hikes: Old Greenville Ghost Town

Hiking at Old Greenville Recreation Area includes a ghost town, retracing the steps of the Trail of Tears, and seeing a memorial to an unknown Civil War soldier nearby.

Halloween Hikes are hikes that I spotlight in October that fit the spirit of Halloween. Feel free to share suggestions for hikes to do in the future. Also, post any questions you might have on the hikes!