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 better timeresorts in this region, but booking ahead is always wise.
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 on
observe local wildlife is to drive the ten-mile-long,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 no
Overlook Trail takes hikers on a walk into theshortage of honors bestowed on this extraordinary
wetlands. The Loess Bluff Trail does one better,state park affiliate. Katy Trail's St. Charles-to-Boonville
ascending 200 feet to the crest of the preserve'ssection has been named part of the famed Lewis and
bluffs. At this elevation, visitors enjoy a sweeping,Clark National Historic Trail. Furthermore, the entire
eagle-eye view of refuge lands.pathway is also a designated Millennium Legacy Trail
In north central Missouri's farmland near Macon, Longand an official portion of the American Discovery Trail.
Branch State Park is on the shores of the 2,000-acreLocated in southeastern Missouri near Van Buren, the
Long Branch Lake. This park is fully equipped forOzark National Scenic Riverways were established by
water sports enthusiasts; the on-site marina has boatthe National Park Service in an effort to preserve 134
launches, covered slips and watercraft rentals. There'shighland miles of the Jack Fork and Current Rivers.
a sandy beach for swimmers, plenty of open waterThe preserve is located in a region where hardwood
for water skiers and an accessible fishing dock forand pine forests overlap, resulting in an interesting mix
physically challenged guests. Long Branch is known forof flora and fauna, including bunches of wildflowers.
providing more than respectable catches of bass,There are numerous springs that feed both rivers, as
crappie and catfish, so anglers consider it the perfectwell as mysterious sinkholes and hundreds of caverns.
spot to test their luck and skill. Besides the lake, theThe primary water-based activities at Ozark National
landscape consists of prairies, hills, and forests of oak,Scenic Riverways are fishing, canoeing, tubing, boating
sycamore, hickory, and silver maple. Animals and birdsand swimming. The surrounding woodlands are ideal
like it, too, as evidenced by the population of red foxes,for land-based hiking, hunting, wildlife viewing and
white-tailed deer and bobwhite quail living at the park.horseback riding.
Cutting across the central region of the "Show Me