Visiting Missouri on Your Next Road Trip

Missouri is where the Ozark Mountains and valleys,State" on a 225-mile east to west progression is the
lakes and caves, forests and farmlands all comeinnovative Katy Trail State Park. There are many
together to set the stage for scenic drives andMissouri campgrounds and Missouri RV camping
non-stop outdoor adventures. There’s no betterresorts in this region, but booking ahead is always wise.
time than now to show yourself the "Show Me State."Following the former path of the
Missouri campgrounds and Missouri RV parksMissouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, or "Katy," the trail
welcome visitors year round with open arms.originates in St. Charles and links the towns of
Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge is onMarthasville, Jefferson City and Boonville before
northwestern Missouri’s river floodplain near Moundconcluding at Clinton. Designed for use by hikers and
City. Migrating ducks, snow geese and suchbikers of all ages and abilities, much of the trail follows
threatened or endangered species as bald eagles,the scenic path of the Missouri River. A limited portion
piping plovers and peregrine falcons find an importantof the Katy is open for equestrians. Trail users find
seasonal migration stop at Squaw Creek. One of theeverything from forests to prairies, valleys to river
best and easiest ways to explore the refuge andbluffs, wetlands and pastures. And Katy’s position
observe local wildlife is to drive the ten-mile-long,on the Missouri Flyway ensures an interesting array of
self-guided car tour winding through the wetlands.birds, from everyday species like robins and
There are also two trails for visitors who prefer tochickadees to endangered bald eagles and migrating
travel closer to the action – on foot. The Eaglegreat blue herons. As might be expected, there’s
Overlook Trail takes hikers on a walk into theno shortage of honors bestowed on this extraordinary
wetlands. The Loess Bluff Trail does one better,state park affiliate. Katy Trail’s St.
ascending 200 feet to the crest of the preserve’sCharles-to-Boonville section has been named part of
bluffs. At this elevation, visitors enjoy a sweeping,the famed Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
eagle-eye view of refuge lands.Furthermore, the entire pathway is also a designated
In north central Missouri’s farmland near Macon,Millennium Legacy Trail and an official portion of the
Long Branch State Park is on the shores of theAmerican Discovery Trail.
2,000-acre Long Branch Lake. This park is fullyLocated in southeastern Missouri near Van Buren, the
equipped for water sports enthusiasts; the on-siteOzark National Scenic Riverways were established by
marina has boat launches, covered slips andthe National Park Service in an effort to preserve 134
watercraft rentals. There’s a sandy beach forhighland miles of the Jack Fork and Current Rivers.
swimmers, plenty of open water for water skiers andThe preserve is located in a region where hardwood
an accessible fishing dock for physically challengedand pine forests overlap, resulting in an interesting mix
guests. Long Branch is known for providing more thanof flora and fauna, including bunches of wildflowers.
respectable catches of bass, crappie and catfish, soThere are numerous springs that feed both rivers, as
anglers consider it the perfect spot to test their luckwell as mysterious sinkholes and hundreds of caverns.
and skill. Besides the lake, the landscape consists ofThe primary water-based activities at Ozark National
prairies, hills, and forests of oak, sycamore, hickory, andScenic Riverways are fishing, canoeing, tubing, boating
silver maple. Animals and birds like it, too, as evidencedand swimming. The surrounding woodlands are ideal
by the population of red foxes, white-tailed deer andfor land-based hiking, hunting, wildlife viewing and
bobwhite quail living at the park.horseback riding.
Cutting across the central region of the "Show Me