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 more than ten miles of trails. At the Parking Lot at Indian Camp Creek Park I parked in the first lot after the equestrian parking. Near parking are a playground,…

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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 had lunch at a local brewery, and walked around the historic Washington Park with Abraham Lincoln connections. (This was our first stop on our trip to the Starved Rock State…

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Finding Jackson Falls in Shawnee National Forest

See high waterfalls, deep canyons, and house-size boulders along Jackson Falls Trail in Shawnee National Forest. I went with a group so I could learn the area before bringing my son here in the future. There is only one way down into the canyon and you can get lost if you don’t know your way. Our group hiked about eight miles, but you can easily…

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Berryman Trail Loop to Harmon Spring

I hiked a north loop of the Berryman Trail through woods crossing small streams to go to Harmon Spring in Mark Twain National Forest. This was about nine-miles total with lots of up and down through the hills. Berryman Trail Overview The Berryman Trail has two main trailheads, Berryman Campground and Brazil Creek Trailhead. Hiking the whole trail is 27 miles. Along the trail, there…

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White Rock Nature Preserve Hike

TEMPORARILY CLOSED– Will provide an update when it opens again. A clear rocky stream, a sealed cave, and a Mississippi River view highlight our time at White Rock Nature Preserve. Walking to the Trailhead at White Rock Nature Preserve We parked in the small lot along Bluff Road. When you come here make sure to follow the signs to the trailhead. First, we walked along…

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