Missouri Outdoor Recreation Guide |  Best places to go in MO | Missouri Attractions

Missouri Float Trips on the Black River
Enjoy Missouri canoeing at its best, or choose to take a relaxing float trip in rafts, tubes or kayaks.  Black River floating is a pleasure for veteran and novice floaters alike, offering an ever changing outdoor experience spring through fall. The river is clear and beautiful as it gently moves through dense wooded forests and green meadows, winding past tall cliff walls dotted with caves and fern greenery. Click here for more about Black River Float trips and links to outfitters.

The Most Beautiful & Spectacular State Parks in Missouri!

Taum Sauk Mountain State Park - Want to hike to the top of a mountain? Just park in the lot of Taum Sauk Mountain State Park and walk a mere 1,000 feet on a paved path to Missouri’s highest point. Here, an elevation marker sits, guiding visitors to the mountain’s 1,772 foot summit. If that’s not enough, the hike to Mina Sauk Falls will take your breath away.  Read more here.

Elephant Rocks State Park - A train of circus elephants dance trunk-to-tail to form an awe-inspiring sight to the young and to the young at heart. This is the appeal of Elephant Rocks State Park, named for a train of gigantic pink granite boulders perched atop a hill, just like circus elephants! Read more here.

Johnson's Shut-ins State Park - Nearly 1.5 billion years ago, violently explosive volcanoes hurled hot gasses and ash into the air. The ashes and gas fell and cooled, forming rhyolite rock. A billion years later, shallow inland seas swallowed the ancient, worn-down mountains, burying the igneous rock under thousands of feet of sedimentary rock such as limestone, sandstone, shale and dolomite.  Read more here.

Fort Davidson State Historic Site - In September 1864, an army of Confederate soldiers 12,000 strong marched into Missouri from Arkansas, led by Major General Sterling Price. Headed north toward St. Louis, this massive cavalry soon arrived at the southern terminus of the St. Louis and Iron Mountain Railroad in Pilot Knob. There, a federal fort, Fort Davidson, stood, garrisoned by only 1,500 Union soldiers led by Brigadier General Thomas Ewing Jr.  Read more here.

The Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri State Forests and Conservation Areas


Read about our Mark Twain National Forest, Sutton Bluff Recreation Area, Buford Mountain State Forest, Crane Lake Conservation Area, Bell Mountain Wilderness Area, Ketcherside Mountain State Forest, Marble Creek Recreation Area, Millstream Gardens Whitewater Area, Silver Mines Recreation Area, Council Bluff Lake, Grasshopper Hollow, The Royal Gorge, Logan Creek Conservation Area and Deer Run Conservation Areas.  Click here to learn more.

Missouri Horseback Riding, Trail Riding and Scheduled Trail Rides
Whether you have your own horse and are searching for a place to go where you can bring your horses and ride on thousands of acres of property, or are an inexperienced wrangler needing an experienced guide to show you the ropes, all of your dreams will be met in our region of Missouri.  Take part in annual week-long trailrides, or come for a weekend of horseback riding fun with your family.  Experience a real country vacation this year at our "horse friendly" campgrounds and resorts!  Cowboys and Cowgirls of any age will create lifelong memories. Read more here.

Missouri Hiking, Mountain Biking and the Ozark Trail
If you want to go hiking or mountain biking among some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere in the United States, but feel you have to travel to Colorado or the Appalachian Trail to do so, you have not yet heard of the St. Francois Mountain Region of the Missouri Ozark Plateau. If you want to see and experience a landscape unique on the earth, make your plans to visit the Arcadia Valley Region and Black River Recreation Area. Come to Missouri where hundreds of miles of trails await your exploration!  Read more here.

Missouri Hunting and Missouri Fishing
The Arcadia Valley Region and Black River Recreation Area are havens for the avid sportsman or woman. The diverse terrain of the St. Francois Mountains and Ozark Valleys are full of oak and hickory forests, flowing rivers, and numerous lakes and streams. This habitat diversity provides homes for a multitude of wildlife.  Read more here.

Missouri Birding, Bird Watching
Bird watching, often called birding has quickly become the most popular spectator sport in America.  Anyone at any age can participate in this rewarding activity.  Of the over 800 species found in North America, over 400 different kinds of birds have been identified in Missouri.  The reason for this abundance of birds is open space and the diversity of habitat.  Our region is undoubtedly one of the best areas in Missouri for bird watching.  Read more about Missouri Birding in our region.

Visit Missouri Wineries
Before prohibition, Missouri was the country's second leading wine producer, behind only New York.  Today, a new generation of well-educated winemakers, healthier lifestyles, and the increasing consumer demand for locally brewed spirits has once again catapulted Missouri's wine industry into the international spotlight. Growing 70 percent since 2001, Missouri now ranks 11th in the nation. Missouri wines are once again winning national and international acclaim.  Read more and see a listing of Missouri Wineries nearby.

Golf Courses in Our Region

Arcadia Valley Country Club - This is a public, regulation length, 9-hole, 36 par course located at the Arcadia Valley Country Club facility. Opened in 1930, the fairways were built on rolling terrain and the greens are elevated.  Water hazards (lakes) come into play on three holes.  Hwy 72, Ironton, MO  Call (573) 546-9508

Crown Point Golf Club - This 4 1/2 star, award winning public course was designed in 1993 by Gary Kern.  Located on 208 acres, this par 72 links-style course is 7069 yards in total length and features four par threes, ten par fours and 4 par fives.  The fairway and tee boxes are a bluegrass and rye blend, while the greens are planted with bent grass.  Enjoy private club style amenities while enjoying the convenience of Crown Point's public course status. 4215 Hunt Rd, Farmington, MO  Call (573) 756-6660 to book tee times.

Viburnum Golf and Country Club - Established in 1974, this public 9-hole, 3226 yard, regulation length public golf course also has a 4 tee driving range.  On your way to or from Dillard Mill State Historic Site, stop off and play a round of golf.  The club is located on Hwy Y in Viburnum, MO. Call (573) 244-5688

Arcadia Valley Tours
Arcadia Valley Tours will be launching this spring with a variety of personally guided behind the scenes tours to bring the best of the Arcadia Valley Region to you. We offer battlefield tours, wine tours, and a unique behind the scenes look into the quarries that founded this region.  Website
573-546-TOURS