Missouri Scenic Rides and Drives Guide 2020

20 ROUTES 190+ POINTS OF INTEREST Missouri Life | 1

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OUT ON THE OPEN ROAD MANY OF US are looking forward to enjoying some time out on the open road. I know I am. While Point A to Point B is a worthy trip, a leisurely drive with no particular place to be in a hurry is even better.

There’s so much to experience when you’re not working against the clock, meandering along the state’s alphabet highways on a tour that’s more about the journey than the destination.

To help you rediscover Missouri’s roads, we’ve assembled twenty routes in various parts of the state that are designed to get you out on the road, taking it low and slow and stopping to see what you can find along the way. We’ve highlighted points of interest we think you’ll like, but these are all designed with discovery and customization in mind.

Can’t get enough of Missouri’s lakes?

You’ll love our loop routes around Bull Shoals Lake. Want to ride through the Ozarks with the wind in your hair? We’ve got you covered.

Want a route that samples some of Missouri’s best wineries? We have that, too.

Thumb through until you find a route that suits you, then hop on your bike or load up your family, friends, and maybe a dog or two and hit the road. Take it from us: in Missouri, there’s always more to discover.

Greg Wood Publisher Missouri Life

THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY

PO Box 57, 208 Columbia St., Rocheport, MO 65279 573-514-5453 | Info@MissouriLife.com Publisher Greg Wood Editorial Director Danita Allen Wood EDITORIAL & ART

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Director of Sales & Marketing Deborah Marshall, 573-514-5453

Advertising & Marketing Representatives Tina Nelson, St. Louis, 314-550-2320 Mary L. Leonard, Kansas City, 816-868-7498 Bob Schwartz, Lake of the Ozarks, 314-650-5767 Advertising & Marketing Coordinator Jolene Metzen, 573-514-5453, ext. 1

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info@missourilife.com Missouri Life, PO Box 57, 208 Columbia St., Rocheport, MO 65279 © 2020 Missouri Life

GREG WOOD PUBLISHER

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Float Current River or Black River

4 | Missouri Scenic Rides & Drives Guide

CONTENTS

12 10

8

18

14

16

6

22 24 26

28

20

38

30

44 46

36 32 40

ROUTES

NORTHWEST REGION Little Dixie Wine Trail..................................................6 Hidden Luxuries Tour..................................................8 Smithville Lake Loop................................................. 10 The Great Northwest.............................................. 12 The Green Hills......................................................... 14 NORTHEAST REGION Loop Into History..................................................... 16 Mark Twain Adventure............................................. 18 CENTRAL REGION Heart of the Ozarks Drive..................................... 20 Mid-MO Motor Tour................................................ 22 District Day Trip........................................................ 24 Head Motor Company River Run........................ 26 Old Drum Loop........................................................ 28

34

SOUTHEAST REGION From Taters to Roadkill........................................... 30 Scenic Highways, Riverways & Clearwater Lake 32 Big Spring Driving Tour............................................ 34 State Park Trifecta...................................................... 36 SOUTHWEST REGION The Lucas Oil Loop.................................................. 38 Ride the Real Ozarks............................................... 40

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS The Shawnee Hills..................................................... 44 Shawnee Forest Country........................................ 46

Missouri Life | 5

LITTLE DIXIE WINE TRAIL 55 MILES | ROUTES 224, 23, 65, 131, I-70, HIGHWAY 24

THIS UNIQUE DRIVE mixes history with five Missouri wineries. You’ll follow the historic Santa Fe Trail on several sections of this route along Highway 24 and the older Route 224 spur in Lafayette County. Central to the route is the town of Lexington, site of four historic districts.

Highland Drive offers magnificent views of the Missouri River Valley from atop of the WWI Memorial right off Highland at Wall Street. You’ll see stunning antebellum homes along this road, along with the iconic Madonna of the Trail monument at Highland and Main (Route 224).

Downtown Lexington showcases the Lafayette County Courthouse, the oldest west of the Mississippi. Immediately to the west of the courthouse is the Lafayette County Veterans Memorial. All within a few blocks, this quaint district offers shopping, restaurants, two museums, historic monuments, and an interpretive walking/driving trail.

Go north on 10th Street to Riverfront Park. Thriving river commerce helped estab6 | Missouri Scenic Rides & Drives Guide

lish Lexington in the 1800s. From this point, you might be lucky enough to spot bald eagles that nest along the riverbanks.

East on Main and north at the stoplight, you’ll find the Battle of Lexington State Historic Site with a visitors center and a historic battle site with an interpretive trail. At the site, you can tour the Anderson House, a battle scarred home caught in the crossfire during the Battle of Lexington.

Take a jog off Route 224 to visit the Forest Grove Cemetery containing several generations of African American slaves and their descendants. Continuing east you can hook up with Highway 24 and head on to two different wineries on the way to Waverly where you will be able to head south on Route 23 to I-70, north across the river to Highway 24 west and Highway 65 north, or west/south on Highway 65 to Marshall and I-70.

If you head east on Route 224 or Highway 24, you can access three more wineries on this tour and then be on your way toward Kansas City to access I-70, I-35, or I-29.

LEXINGTON TOURISM

Downtown Lexington

5

9

13

3

4 6

41 10

H igh lan d

1

Main Street

D riv e

10

2

7

10th Street

8

Lexington 11

Lexington

Sibley

24 24

224

12 Wellington

24

13

Waverly

10 Dover

65

23

213

13

Marshall 20 V

Higginsville

Alma

20

AA 70

S

14

131

15

13

65

Concordia

70

Marshall Junction

POINTS OF INTEREST

1. Highland District 2. Missouri River Valley Lookout, Lafayette County WWI Monument 3. Madonna of the Trail 4. Downtown District 5. Riverfront Park 6. Lafayette County Veterans Memorial 7. Battle of Lexington SHS 8. Anderson House 9. Forest Grove Cemetery 10. Terre Beau Winery 11. Baltimore Bend Vineyard 12. Fahrmeier’s Family Vineyards 13. La Bella Vineyards & Winery 14. Odessa Country Winery 15. Arcadian Moon Winery Missouri River Valley Lookout

|7

HIDDEN LUXURIES TOUR 108 MILES | ROUTES 10, 13, M, U, C, HIGHWAYS 36, 69

LUXURIES AND LIBATIONS are hidden in the rolling hills near Richmond where you can take a day trip or spend a weekend.

Start at Of The Earth Farm+Distillery on Route 13, north of Richmond. Snack on Missouri salami and sample unique cocktails made with their premium spirits. Extend your stay and spend a quiet night in the shaded campsites adjacent to the sheep pasture.

If a bed with linens is more your speed, continue north on Route 13 to Hawley’s Farm Glamping for a secluded, luxurious glamping experience in Midwest farm country.

Hamilton is five miles north with numerous shops, restaurants, and unique stops like the Missouri Star Quilt Company and the J.C. Penney Museum. The historic telephone company building is home to the Levi Garrison & Sons Brewing Company. An ever-changing selection of their craft beers can be sampled in their cozy tap room.

Continue your adventure west on Highway 8 | Missouri Scenic Rides & Drives Guide

36 and head south on Highway 69 to enjoy the serenity at Wallace State Park. Visitors can fish in the park’s six-acre lake or hike scenic trails, picnic, or camp. Follow Highway 69 further south to Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site to tour the only nineteenthcentury textile mill in the United States; the original machinery is still intact.

Traveling south on Highway 69 takes you to Excelsior Springs where the iconic Elms Hotel & Spa has been providing visitors with lavish amenities for over 125 years. Willow Spring Mercantile, with the world’s largest selection of Missouri wine, is just down the street, along with Dubious Claims Brewery and Atlas Saloon and Hometown Brewing Co. Go east out of town on Route 10 and turn north on Route M. Take a right on Route U to Rayville where you will find wood-fired pizza and Missouri wine served in a great atmosphere with sincere hospitality at the Van Till Family Farm Winery.

OF THE EARTH FARM+DISTILLERY

Of The Earth Farm+Distillery creates premium spirits.

5 4 3 Hamilton

36

6

2

35 13

69

7

M U

8 9 10 Excelsior Springs

1 Rayville 10 C

10

Richmond

POINTS OF INTEREST 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Of The Earth Farm+Distillery Hawley Farm Glamping Missouri Star Quilt Company, Hamilton J.C. Penney Museum, Hamilton Levi Garrison & Sons Brewing Company, Hamilton 6. Wallace State Park 7. Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site 8. Elms Hotel & Spa, Excelsior Springs 9. Willow Spring Mercantile, Excelsior Springs 10. Van Till Family Farm Winery, Rayville

Sheep dot the pastures at Of The Earth Farm+Distillery.

|9

SMITHVILLE LAKE LOOP 75 MILES | HIGHWAY 169, ROUTES 92, B, Z, F, 116, 33, CC, C, W, E, DD

THIS RIDE AROUND THE LAKE takes you through the small towns surrounding Smithville Lake and winds up in Smithville’s historic downtown district about an hour and a half later where you can shop, dine, and pay your respects at the new 9/11 memorial.

Start your ride at Motorcycle Closeouts headquarters on Highway 169, just two miles north of Interstate 435. This is a great place to meet fellow riders on the large paved parking lot and under the huge covered porch. Motorcycle Closeouts specializes in riding gear for every type of rider on every type of bike. Here you can check out hundreds of helmets, jackets, gloves, boots, and whatever else you need to protect you from the elements and keep you looking good while cruising down the road.

Check out Aroma Bistro next door for American cuisine with a Latin flair and a full bar.

When it’s time to put the kickstands up, head north through Smithville to the second and final stoplight on the route. Turn west on Route 92 and prepare to enjoy a nice ride through the rolling countryside. Cruise north again and enjoy the curves through Ridgely and on to Edgerton. From there, turn west and zigzag north to Route 116.

Head due east on 116 until you roll into 10 | Missouri Scenic Rides & Drives Guide

historic Plattsburg, where you’ll want to take a detour to view some of the beautiful Victorian homes in town. If you’re a history buff, head over to city hall to see a statue honoring David Rice Atchison, America’s only one-day president. Give your backside a break and take a few minutes to walk around the square then hop back on your bike and continue east to Lathrop, home of the Hungry Mule Cafe.

Heading south on Route 33 will take you right through downtown Holt. Where 33 curves to the left and heads back south, make sure to continue straight west on Route CC. After a few fun turns on Route C, head west on Route W to Captain’s Corner, where you can gas up and literally have a cheeseburger in Paradise. Head due south a short distance to catch your first view of the water. Loop around the south edge of the lake, where you’ll find the Jerry Litton Visitor Center, a place to explore the history of Smithville Lake. Head north to drive across the dam, and park on the far side for a photo opportunity. Ride west to Ladoga Ridge Winery, then wind south to cross the bridge and return to Smithville.

On Wednesday evenings, stop at the American Legion Hall for bike night, when they serve $1 tacos and cold beverages on the patio.

MOTORCYCLE CLOSEOUTS, CITY OF SMITHVILLE

Motorcycle Closeouts, Smithville

2 116 Plattsburg

116

Lathrop 3

116 F 169

Z

Edgerton

33

C

Ridgely

Holt CC C

4

169

8 Smithville

W

Paradise

7

35

E

6

9 DD

92

33

Smithvi

lle Lake

B

5

92

C

Kearney

1

POINTS OF INTEREST POINTS OF INTEREST 1. Motorcycle Closeouts, Smithville 2. David Rice Atchison statue, President for a Day, Plattsburg 3. Hungry Mule Cafe, Lathrop 4. Captain’s Corner, Paradise 5. American Legion Hall, Smithville 6. Jerry Litton Visitor Center, Smithville 7. Smith’s Fork Park Campground, Smithville 8. Ladoga Ridge Winery, Smithville 9. Downtown Smithville Historic District

Jerry Litton Visitor Center, Smithville

| 11

THE GREAT NORTHWEST 106 MILES | ROUTES 148, 246, 46, C, HIGHWAY 136

YOU WON’T NEED SNOWSHOES for this route, unless you go in the dead of winter. Then, we make no guarantees. This route resides in the extreme northwest portion of the state—ergo its name—and nearly kisses the Missouri-Iowa border at its northernmost point.

Start in Maryville, the seat of Nodaway County and home of Northwest Missouri State University. You’re going to end here, too, so we’ll tell you about all the hot spots in a bit.

From Maryville, head north on Route 148.

It’s a fairly straight ride through the Missouri prairie. You might find yourself channeling the spirits of the American Indians who once rode horseback through this land.

At Hopkins, turn east on Route 246. It’ll cut sharply south before turning back east just before Sheridan.

If you enjoy a road with more turns, you’re about to get your wish. At Grant City, take a minute to cool your toes in Worth Coun12 | Missouri Scenic Rides & Drives Guide

ty Community Lake, just a few miles outside of Grant City off Route W. Or stay in Grant City and dive into the Grant City Pool, open Memorial Day to Labor Day. Take Route 46 east out of Grant City to Allendale, where you’ll connect to Route C south. Just when you start thinking this is the straightest road you’ve ever been on, it’ll throw you a couple of sharp turns that take you to the banks of East Fork Grand River. Follow Route C into Albany and sit down for a slice of pie at Poppa’s Family Restaurant.

Take Highway 136 west out of Albany to the town of Stanberry. Highway 136 turns west on West Fourth Street and twists north and west to the town of Conception, where it turns back to the north. At Ravenwood, the highway turns west, over the Platte River and into Maryville.

Grab a brew and listen to some live music at The Pub. Or have a burger and watch the game at Carson’s Sports Grille.

MISSOURI DIVISION OF TOURISM, MARYVILLE

Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville

148

IOWA Hopkins

MISSOURI

246

Sheridan

148

Grant City Allendale 4 46

46

Pickering

36

Parnell

C

W

3

71

1 Maryville

169

Ravenwood

2 136

71

Gentry

Conception

5 Albany

136

Stanberry

85

169

POINTS OF INTEREST 71

29

229 169

169 1. The Pub, Maryville 2. Carson’s Sports Grille, Maryville 3. Worth County Community Lake, Worth County 31 4. Grant City Pool, Grant City 5. Poppa’s Family Restaurant, Albany 6

29

Maryville

| 13

THE GREEN HILLS 101 MILES | HIGHWAY 136, ROUTES 149, 6

69

P

Thousand Hills State Park, Kirksville

THE BATTLE OF KIRKSVILLE was fought in August 1862. Casualties ran high for Confederate troops in this picturesque town near the Missouri-Iowa border. Your trip should be much more peaceful.

The one-way route to Kirksville starts at Bethany, the seat of Harrison County, and goes through Princeton—birthplace of Martha “Calamity Jane” Cannary.

Continue on to Ravanna, Unionville, and Novinger before crossing over the Chariton River and heading into Kirksville.

14 | Missouri Scenic Rides & Drives Guide

Take Highway 136 east out of Bethany.

Watch out when you approach Ravanna.

The town’s first well has been preserved in its original location—the middle of the highway.

Past Unionville, the route takes a sharp southern tack onto Route 149. South of Martinsville, don’t let the scenic terrain distract you from the tight turns in the road.

Just past Novinger, turn east onto Route 6, and follow the scenic road over the Chariton River into Kirksville.

MISSOURI DIVISION OF TOURISM, MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION

35

Garden Grove

Mystic

14

Corydon

Bloomfield

2

Leon

Centerville

65

202

IOWA

Lamoni Lineville 35

MISSOURI Ravanna 3

Cainsville

136

5

136

149

Novinger 6 Kirksville 5 6

6

35

Milan

139 6

Coffey Pattonsburg

11

Galt

63

Trenton

Winigan

13

Jamesport

35

Queen Cit

129

Pollock

Bethany 1

Gallatin

149

4

Princeton

190

Purdin

65

Hamilton

Meadville

3

Ethel

Brookfield Bucklin

36

Macon

129

Marceline

63

POINTS OF INTEREST Tina 13

Atlanta

149

5

Chillicothe

La Plata

New Boston 129

36

63

Unionville

139

2

69

Moulton

2

Mendon Toot-Toot Family Restaurant, Bethany 5 Lake Paho Conservation Area Ravanna Town Well Putnam County Historical Society Museum, Unionville 5. Ruth W. Towne Museum and Visitors Center, Kirksville

139

1.

2.

3.

4.

Lake Paho Conservation Area

| 15

LOOP INTO HISTORY 83 MILES | ROUTES 15, M, 819, AA, C, U, 107, 154, B, J, HIGHWAY 24

WALK BACK IN TIME in Mexico, Missouri, when you travel this route on the last weekend in September.

A fall visit to the Audrain Historical Museum Complex will take you through different time periods of the past. Start with a Native American village and the early Vikings in America, and then jump to the 1770s colonial era. Visit with some 1830s mountain men, 1860 Pony Express riders, and Civil War soldiers from the 1860s. Check out the Wild West of the 1880s, and then move on to the 20th century: World War I in 1918, suffragettes in the 1920s, and World War II in the 1940s.

A tour of the Graceland Historical Museum at the same site includes an interesting interpretation of General Ulysses S. Grant’s stay at the Ross House as well as stories and items documenting the city’s fame as both the “Saddle Horse” and “Firebrick” Capitals of the World. Don’t miss the renowned Simmons Stables located just down the street from the the museum grounds.

Mingle with royalty at Missouri Military 16 | Missouri Scenic Rides & Drives Guide

Academy in the summer during the annual Miss Missouri Scholarship Pageant. Crowning of the new Miss Missouri and Miss Missouri Outstanding Teen takes place in June.

In August, celebrate the Soybean Festival on the Mexico Square and enjoy music, good food, and amusement park rides. Visit Mexico-Chamber.org for information and updates on all events.

The loop route out of Mexico is a pleasant drive any time of the year. Head north to visit Union Covered Bridge State Historic Site in Monroe County, one of only four standing covered bridges in Missouri. Schedule a stop at Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site in Florida, Missouri, and take in the view at Buzzards Roost Overlook on Mark Twain Lake.

When you end your excursion in Mexico, stay to enjoy the shopping and dining options.

Mexico has something to please all appetites—homemade barbecue, a hearty ribeye steak, seafood, burgers, specialty salads, Mexican, or fried chicken. Stay all night at one of many hotels or bed and breakfasts before moving on to your next adventure.

MEXICO TOURISM, DAVID PICKERING

Audrain Historical Museum Complex

24 24

Paris

Florida 7

15

U

24 CC

Mark Twain Lake

107

8

154 154

154

6

Perry 15 15

EE

AA D D

819 M

Santa Fe BB 15 15

19

Worcester

15

J

22 22

Mexico 5 4 1 2 3

54 54

54

POINTS OF INTEREST 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Audrain Historical Museum Complex, Mexico Graceland Historical Museum, Mexico Simmons Stables, Mexico Missouri Military Academy, Mexico Soybean Festival, Mexico Union Covered Bridge, Paris Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site, Florida 8. Buzzards Roost Overlook, Mark Twain Lake

| 17

MARK TWAIN ADVENTURE 225 MILES | ROUTES 79, N, D, T,V, A, J, W, 107, 19, 154, 161, Z, F, CC, HIGHWAYS 24, 54

AT MORE THAN 200 MILES, this is one of the longer routes, but you can break it into multiple shorter trips because you’re going to want to come back to Hannibal again.

Head south out of Hannibal to Saverton, where you’ll turn west through New London and Monroe City. A southward heading from Monroe City leads to Florida, Missouri, the birthplace of Mark Twain and home of the state park named for him.

Travel on to Perry where you can head north to catch a better tour of Mark Twain Lake. Sweeping turns will take you to the Clarence Cannon Dam. The lake’s 285 miles of shoreline offer endless opportunities for outdoor fun—swimming, fishing, boating, camping, and more. Take a break or stay a while if you’ve had enough road adventure for one day. You can make your way back to New London later and then return to Hannibal.

18 | Missouri Scenic Rides & Drives Guide

If you’re hungry for more, turn back to Perry. This time, head east all the way to the Mississippi River at Louisiana, Missouri, to complete the second loop. Louisiana is a charming river town, home to the most intact Victorian streetscape in the state.

Hungry for a giant tenderloin sandwich?

Fat Boys will be happy to oblige. The Great River Road will carry you from Louisiana to Hannibal, or you can finish the last loop.

Motor back toward Bowling Green. On your way, you’ll pass by the St. Louis University Lay Center, located outside of Louisiana.

The center’s twenty-acre Henry Lay Sculpture Park is open to the public from April to December. South of Bowling Green, catch a few curves as you rumble through Ashley and sweep eastward to Elsberry. When you find yourself back at the Great River Road, enjoy the scenic ride north to Hannibal.

MISSOURI DIVISION OF TOURISM

Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum, Hannibal

104

8 36

W

Hannibal 6 7 5 Saverton

T

V

24

A

N

New London

2

107

106

79

Monroe City

61

J

1 Florida 154

Louisiana 3 4

Perry

UU

19 154

D

Bowling Green

54

N

161

Ashley

Laddonia 161

79 CC Z

F

Elsberry

Martinsburg

POINTS OF INTEREST

Montgomery City

1. Mark Twain Lake, Mark Twain State Park, and Visitor Center, Florida, Missouri 2. Clarence Cannon Dam, Mark Twain Lake 3. Fat Boys, Louisiana, Missouri 4. St. Louis University Lay Center, Louisiana, Missouri 5. Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum, Hannibal 6. Mark Twain Cave & Campground, Hannibal 7. Hannibal Trolley Company Sightseeing Tours 8. Mark Twain Brewing Company, Hannibal Mark Twain Cave, Hannibal

| 19

HEART OF THE OZARKS DRIVE 61 MILES | ROUTES 28, C, 133, 66, I-44

Route 66

20 | Missouri Scenic Rides & Drives Guide

make compelling subject matter for photographers and artists. Your imagination will be sparked to picture them in their prime when the Mother Road wasn’t the road less traveled—it was THE road!

Pulaski County Tourism Bureau offers a Historic Driving Tour brochure that will deepen your understanding of this scenic journey with points of interests, background information, and vintage images. Ask for your free copy when you order your complimentary Pulaski County Visitors Guide at PulaskiCountyUSA.com. You can pick up these brochures and more at the Visitors Center located at 137 St. Robert Boulevard, St. Robert. The center also offers free hot coffee, clean restrooms, complimentary WiFi, and a souvenir gift shop.

Fly Fishing

PULASKI COUNTY TOURISM

THE OPEN ROAD is calling your name, and luckily, it has guided you to the heart of the timeless Ozarks.

Begin your picturesque tour of Pulaski County at Interstate 44 Exit 163. Head north on Route 28 toward Dixon. Your route runs the ridgetop before dropping dramatically into the river valley and climbing the mountain after crossing the Gasconade River.

In Dixon, turn west onto 4th Street/ Route C/Route 133 toward Crocker. Route 133 meanders lazily along the Burlington Northern railroad tracks and connects the Frisco railroad boomtowns of Dixon, Crocker, and Richland. The settlements of Hancock and Swedeborg are reminders of the time when mighty locomotives, powered by steam, stopped here to take on firewood and water. Chase the train’s whistle into Richland where Route 133 turns south.

At the Route 133 and Route AB junction turn east and follow the legendary Route 66 through Waynesville and St. Robert to your starting point. Roadside artifacts and relics of former motor courts and filling stations

28 17

133

C

2 1 Dixon

4 3 Crocker

D 28

133

Jerome

17

T

Richland 5 6 7 8 9

66

Devils Elbow 7

Waynesville 17 10 11

St. Robert 12 13

133

Big P

Ri v iney

66 44

er

Buckhorn

44

Laquey

Fort Leonard Wood

66 17

POINTS OF INTEREST 1. Homeplate Bar & Grill, Dixon 2. Johnson’s Snackette, Dixon 3. Triple Creek Antiques, Crocker 4. Frisco Depot Museum, Crocker 5. Sanctuary Coffee and Quilts, Richland 6. The Burger Stand, Richland 7. H.E.Warren Store, Richland 8. Penaroyal Antiques & Collectibles, Richland 9. The Brick Emporium, Richland 10. Eclectic Originals,Waynesville 11. Piney River Taproom,Waynesville 12. Pulaski County Visitors Center, St. Robert 13. Sweetwater B-B-Q, St. Robert

Big Piney River

| 21

MID-MO MOTOR TOUR 135 (OR 185) MILES | ROUTES 98, E, 124, 240, 3, 129, 41, HIGHWAYS 24, 40, I-70

THIS TRAIL OFFERS a bit more flexibility than others. You can take the full 185mile journey through beautiful mid-Missouri scenery, or you can take a shortcut across the Boonslick Loop. Keep an eye out for the Boonslick region’s barn quilts; you can spot as many as twelve on this route.

Set out from Boonville, stopping in at the Visitor Center and River, Rails & Trails Museum to learn about the various restaurants, shops, and attractions you can visit like the unique Mitchell Antique Motorcar Museum.

Head south on Main Street to Route 98 to cruise into Warm Springs Ranch, where the Budweiser Clydesdale horses are born and raised. Advance reservations are required.

Next, retrace your route and go north on Main Street, over the Missouri River on the Boonslick Bridge and follow Highway 40 past New Franklin, Rocheport, and Midway.

You may want to stop and take in the view from Les Bourgeois Vineyards in Rocheport, or browse through the Midway Antique Mall.

Connect with Interstate 70 for a short drive east until you reach the next exit at Stadium Boulevard. Turn north out of Columbia on Route E and travel to the town of Harrisburg.

22 | Missouri Scenic Rides & Drives Guide

Turn west onto Route 124, and follow it straight on to Route 240 just outside Fayette.

Check out Boondocks bar. Back on Route 240, you’ll have about five miles to decide whether to take the shorter route or lock in the long haul.

THE SHORTCUT: Turn west on Route 240 and cross the Missouri River at Glasgow.

You’ll connect with Route 41 just northwest of Arrow Rock.

THE SCENIC ROUTE: Take Route 3 off Route 240, and proceed due north through Armstrong to Roanoke, where you’ll connect with Route 129. Take Route 129 to Salisbury, turn west onto Highway 24, and enjoy the ride to the Grand River.

At De Witt, turn south on Route 41. You’ll go over the Missouri River at Miami, Missouri, then continue about fifteen miles to Marshall.

Route 41 turns east outside of the Marshall city limits. Time it right, and you might be able to catch a play when you pass through Arrow Rock at the Lyceum Theatre, one of Missouri’s oldest professional regional theaters.

Finally, turn south onto Santa Fe Road (Route 41) through Blackwater and on to Boonville, where you can try your luck and unwind at the Isle of Capri Casino.

KATIE GIBSON, WARM SPRINGS RANCH

Boonville Visitors Center and River, Rails, & Trails Museum

11

5

Brunswick 7

De Witt

24

Keytesville

24

6 Salisbury

Moberly

129 5

8

63

Roanoke

Miami 3

Armstrong

41

5 Glasgow

240

Fayette

240 87

Marshall

41

Arrow Rock

9 10

Hallsville

5

E

11

12 41

New Franklin Boonville 98 13 1 2

40

Rocheport Midway 3 40 4 Columbia

M

70

is so

135

87

ur i

65

Harrisburg 124

Ri

ve

5

Sedalia

r

POINTS OF INTEREST 1. Boonville Visitors Center 2. Warm Springs Ranch, Boonville 3. Les Bourgeois Vineyards, Rocheport 4. Midway Antique Mall & Flea Market, Midway 5. Bushwhacker Bend Winery, Glasgow 6. Chariton County Historical Museum, Salisbury 7. World’s Largest Pecan, Brunswick 8. Van Meter State Park, Miami, Missouri 9. Bucksnort Trading Company, Arrow Rock 10. Arrow Rock State Historic Site 11. Lyceum Theatre, Arrow Rock 12. Sappington Cemetery State Historic Site 13. Isle of Capri Casino Hotel, Boonville

Warm Springs Ranch

| 23

DISTRICT DAY TRIP 1.7 MILES | BROADWAY; 4TH, LOCUST, 9TH, WALNUT, ORR STREETS; PARK AVE.

Ninth Street Shopping

24 | Missouri Scenic Rides & Drives Guide

the heart of the North Village Arts District.

Stop in at Orr Street Studios where you might catch an artist at work or pick up a new piece of art for your home or office.

When you get to Park Avenue, take a left and go west back to Ninth, turn left going south to Walnut again. Take a right and go west into the Government District. When you pass the Boone County Courthouse on your right, take a peek down Eighth Street to your left for the grand view of the Avenue of the Columns, anchored on one end with the courthouse columns and on the other by the MU Columns on the Francis Quadrangle.

The last leg of your tour continues on Walnut through the West End neighborhood, where another of the three Light Hubs, Sharp End, signals you're exiting the The District. At Providence Road, if you take a left and go east one block, you’ll be back where you dropped in, rounding out your tour of The District.

THE DISTRICT

FOR TWO HUNDRED YEARS, The District has been a central part of Columbia.

The city itself was established near the corner of Broadway and Fifth Street located inside the fifty square blocks that make up this “live/ work/play” locale. A tour through the streets provides a peek into the city’s deep past, current vitality, and future possibilities.

Drop into The District from the west on Broadway, take a right going south on Fourth Street into the Flat Branch neighborhood.

Flat Branch Park features sculptures, a rain garden, a picnic and play area, and a sprayground perfect for cooling off on hot days.

Don’t miss the Gateways Project Light Hub at Flat Branch Park, which lets you know you’ve arrived; it’s one of three such art installations each celebrating the unique history or individual character of its location.

Head east on Locust Street along the northern edge of the MU campus into the Strollway neighborhood; then jog north up Ninth Street.

Several Columbia originals line this street: the historic Missouri Theatre, Shakespeare’s Pizza, and Sparky’s Ice Cream. All are great spots for a unique Columbia experience.

A few blocks further, you’ll cross over Broadway. At the next light, take a right on Walnut Street, then a left onto Orr Street into

ark

Columbia College

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POINTS OF INTEREST 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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7.

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Flat Branch Park The Columns Shakespeare's Pizza Missouri Theatre Sparky's Ice Cream North Village Arts District Orr Street Studios Boone County Courthouse Avenue of the Columns

Gateways Project Sharp End Light Hub

| 25

HEAD MOTOR COMPANY RIVER RUN 106 MILES | I-70, HIGHWAYS 40, 50, 54, 63, ROUTES BB, 179, 348, Y, 163

HIT THE ROAD on a Missouri River run for a new view of mid-Missouri.

Start your tour at Head Motor Company, home of Indian Motorcycles, on the Business Loop in Columbia. Catch Interstate 70 west to the Midway exit where you can cruise the back roads into Rocheport.

Named by French settlers, Rocheport means “rocky port.” The former trading post has blossomed into a quaint village of shops, art galleries, restaurants, and businesses catering to outdoor activities. The Katy Trail runs by Rocheport; check out the scenic views of the bridge and the railroad tunnel. Get supplies at the Rocheport General Store, where you can grab lunch or catch some live music.

If a glass of wine alongside spectacular views is more your style, add a stop at Les Bourgeois Vineyards. The Bistro offers fine dining and wines at its blufftop perch, and the A-Frame sells wine and snack baskets.

26 | Missouri Scenic Rides & Drives Guide

Roll along the hills and bluffs right to the state capital, Jefferson City. Grab a bite to eat at Sweet Smoke BBQ while you are there. Then take a refreshing break and explore Missouri’s natural world at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Runge Nature Center. This one-hundredacre area in Jefferson City features a visitor center with exhibits and live-animal displays, special events, trails, demonstrations, and diverse natural habitats.

Cross the Missouri River and cruise north to Columbia. Make time for a visit to Missouri’s underworld at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park. The park contains some of the most popular hiking trails in the state, plus a large cave system with a rock bridge, sinkholes, a spring, and an underground stream running through Devil’s Icebox. Finish your run at Buckingham Smokehouse Bar-B-Q with some great barbecue and cool drinks.

HEAD MOTOR COMPANY

Head Motor Company, Columbia

63

763

40

2 3 Rocheport BB

70

40

1 40

Columbia

Overton 70

7 179

Wooldridge

70

740 63

163

6 Pierpont

Deer Park

63 179

Ashland

Jamestown

Guthrie

Y

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348

New Bloomfield

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ri Rive

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5 Jefferson City

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POINTS POINTS OF OF INTEREST INTEREST 1.

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5.

6.

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Head Motor Company, Columbia Rocheport General Store, Rocheport Les Bourgeois Bistro, Rocheport Runge Nature Center, Jefferson City Sweet Smoke BBQ, Jefferson City Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, Columbia Buckingham Smokehouse Bar-B-Q, Columbia

HeadMotorCo.com • 573-554-5555 Head Motor Company, Columbia

| 27

54

OLD DRUM LOOP 80 MILES | HIGHWAY 50, ROUTES 131, 2, EE, 23,DD

THE OLD DRUM LOOP takes you around Johnson County in a leisurely tour of the area’s natural beauty and history. Prepare to experience a wave of nostalgia!

Start on the grounds of Warrensburg’s Old Town on North Main Street to visit the historic 1838 Old Courthouse, site of the Old Drum trial. The site includes the 1913 Elm School, the Johnson County Museum, and the Mary Miller Smiser Heritage Library.

The Old Drum trial put Warrensburg on the map as home of “Man’s Best Friend,” a term coined by George Graham Vest in his eulogy delivered in his closing arguments at the trial. The shooting of Charles Burden’s favorite hound, Old Drum, by neighbor Leonidas Hornsby’s twelve-year-old nephew resulted in the trial for damages and an award of fifty dollars to Burden. Old Drum was named the Missouri historical dog in 2017. Stop by the current Johnson County Courthouse on Holden Street and visit the statue of Old Drum where you can read the full text of the eulogy.

Head west on Highway 50 to Route 131, then go south to Holden. There, you can visit the historic Miller Mausoleum on the north edge of town. Joseph Miller single-handedly built the mausoleum over ten years as a final resting place for his family, starting in 1917.

The second level housed a family museum.

28 | Missouri Scenic Rides & Drives Guide

After years of neglect, Miller’s great-grandson acquired the property, restored it, and opened it to the public.

Next, head south from Holden on Route 131 to Route 2 and head east to Chilhowee.

You can stop by the Rock Island Trail, a biking and hiking trail that follows the old Rock Island railroad east through Leeton to meet with the Katy Trail near Windsor.

Continue working your way east on Route 2, then Route EE to Route 23 and head north toward Knob Noster and Whiteman Air Force Base, the home of the 509th Bomb Wing and the B-2 Stealth bomber. Head back west on Route DD and visit the Knob Noster State Park and experience the variety of opportunities available for enjoying the great outdoors. The park offers hiking, camping, fishing, kayak rentals, group cabin rentals, and a variety of interpretive programs.

For the trip back to Warrensburg on Route DD, experience the Spirit Trail, the paved hiking and biking trail that connects the park with Warrensburg, providing scenic views from Johnson County’s Bristle Ridge.

This route can be enjoyed in a few hours, leaving plenty of opportunity for a good time while checking the scenic beauty, shopping, and cuisine of Johnson County. Plan your trip to Warrensburg at VisitWarrensburg.com.

WARRENSBURG CVB

Burg Fest/Car Show

13

50

23

131

1 2 3 4 Warrensburg

50

Centerview

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Knob Noster

Knob Noster State Park 10 DD

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Pertle Springs

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58 BB

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POINTS OF INTEREST 1. Johnson County Historical Complex, Warrensburg 2. Old Drum Statue, Johnson County Courthouse, Warrensburg 3. Blind Boone Park, Warrensburg 4. University of Central Missouri’s McClure Archives & University Museum, Warrensburg 5. Miller Mausoleum, Holden 6. Walker’s 5 & 10 Variety, Holden 7. Rock Island Spur, Chilhowee Trailhead 8. Rock Island Spur, Leeton Trailhead 9. Whiteman Air Force Base, Knob Noster 10. Knob Noster State Park, Knob Noster

Old Drum Statue

| 29

52

FROM TATERS TO ROADKILL 82 MILES | ROUTES 72, FF, 68, 63, A

NESTLED IN THE FOOTHILLS of the Ozarks, timeless beauty awaits. Experience the rich history, cultural diversity, and outdoor adventure in Rolla and the surrounding area. Recreation activities abound with local parks, caves, and waterways just a short distance away.

Start your route at the historic Tater Patch in Rolla, where you’ll experience the comfortable hometown charm of a rustic restaurant and bar with a spacious outdoor deck along with great food and nightly entertainment.

Rolla is on Historic Route 66, home to several iconic landmarks on the Mother Road.

Enjoy your cruise through nostalgia before heading southeast to Rolla’s favorite swimming hole, The Fugitive Beach. The beach features a 60-foot waterslide, 15-foot and 20foot cliff jumps, and a beach bar and grill.

When it’s time to hit the road again, loop down and around on Routes 72, FF, and 68 30 | Missouri Scenic Rides & Drives Guide

through rolling hills and farmland, peppered with a few open-throttle straights. Just off Route 68, you’ll come upon one of the most beautiful spots in Missouri: Maramec Spring Park. The park contains the fifth-largest spring in the state.

While in the St. James area, enjoy the “Little Italy of the Ozarks” and sample some great Missouri wines at St. James Winery or Meramec Vineyards Winery. If you prefer beer, check out the fare at Public House Brewing Company.

Journey northwest through the picturesque Ozark Highlands and join up with Highway 63 then Route A, where you can turn south and take the scenic route to Randy’s Roadkill BBQ & Grill, just north of Rolla. Don’t let the name put you off; it’s some of the best barbecue in the area. Randy’s provides a true country dining experience with a view to match.

ROLLA TOURISM

Downtown Rolla

28 63

Vichy Safe 63

A

68

Fanning

12 St. James 13

11 10

1 2 43 5 7 6 Rolla

66

9 8

Newburg 72

8 68

Fort Leonard Wood

Lake Spring FF

72

POINTS OF INTEREST 1. Missouri S&T Stonehenge Replica, Rolla 2. Rob & Kricket’s Tater Patch, Rolla 3. Leach Theatre, Rolla 4. A Slice of Pie, Downtown Rolla 5. Public House Brewing Co., Rolla 6. Alex’s Pizza Palace, Rolla 7. Ozark Actors Theatre, Rolla 8. The Fugitive Beach, Rolla 9. Maramec Spring Park, St. James 10. Meramec Vineyards Winery, St. James 11. Public House Brewing Co., St. James 12. St. James Winery, St. James 13. Randy’s Roadkill BBQ & Grill, Rolla

The Fugitive Beach

| 31

SCENIC HIGHWAYS, RIVERWAYS, & CLEARWATER LAKE 147 MILES | ROUTES 106, NN, H, 60, 21, HH, 49, K

THIS ROUTE WILL TAKE YOU through scenic hardwoods, volcanic rock, cascading waterfalls, and limestone bluffs as you cover miles on sweeping one-lane highways. Your trip will begin on Route 21 in Ellington where you may want to visit the Reynolds County Museum before heading out for the day. Here, you will find years of Ozark history and many Civil War artifacts.

From Ellington, head west on scenic Route 106. Along the way, stop at Blue Spring, the sixth-largest spring in Missouri. It’s so deep it could hold an immersed Statue of Liberty—and not even expose her torch.

As you continue west, you may have the opportunity to view the wild horses of Shannon County, often found in the fields just past the 106 Current River Bridge. Make a left when you get to Route H to travel a few miles through beautiful Ozark valleys before another left turn puts you on Route NN, which will take you to Rocky Falls.

Next stop is Klepzig Mill, an old grist mill built in 1928 by a German immigrant. The mill is located on Little Rocky Creek Shutins, something of a hidden gem. To get to the mill, go past the Rocky Falls turnoff about a 32 | Missouri Scenic Rides & Drives Guide

half mile. Turn left on County Road 522 and travel the narrow gravel road about one mile.

The mill sits on the right side of the road.

Back out on Route H, continue west and you will find the town of Winona. The Twin Pines Conservation Education Center on Highway 60 is a great stop to learn about the Ozarks. Turn east on Highway 60, through Van Buren, then head north on Route 21.

A right on Route HH offers views of gently rolling hills and green valleys with beautiful cattle farms as the backdrop. The journey continues as you cross Clearwater Dam and view Clearwater Lake.

This route will take you through Piedmont, where on the east side you will venture north on Route 49. In the town of Annapolis, motor west on Route K. After a few twists and turns, you will come to Black River and Highway K Park. Here you can plan a float trip, throw a fishing line in the river, or just relax and watch the river flow by. Continue west on Route K to take you back to Ellington, where you can eat at Checo’s Mexican Restaurant, famous for its molcajete, or Spooners for their hand-dipped milkshakes.

Don’t forget your camera!

ELLINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Tubing at Clearwater Lake

Mark Twain National Forest

Lesterville

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21

Centerville

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Glover

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Annapolis

Redford

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Fremont

POINTS OF INTEREST 1. Reynolds County Museum, Ellington 2. Current River Conservation Area, Ellington 3. Cardareva Bluff | Log Yard Landing Swimming, Fishing, Boat Launch, Rough Camping

4.

5.

6.

7.

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Blue Spring Klepzig Mill Rocky Falls Peck Ranch | Elk Tour Twin Pines Education Center, Winona Webb Creek Park & Clearwater Lake Swimming, Fishing, Camping, Boat Launch

10. Clearwater Lake | Clearwater Dam & Spillway 11. Black River & Highway K Park Swimming, Fishing, Camping, Floating, Concessions

An elk bugles at Peck Ranch.

| 33

BIG SPRING DRIVING TOUR 204 MILES | HIGHWAYS 60, 67, ROUTES 34, D, J, 21, HH

V 60

Mingo National Wildlife Refuge

34 | Missouri Scenic Rides & Drives Guide

the sites of the original frontier town before its eventual relocation in 1941. Here you can explore a section of the Trail of Tears, where more than 1,100 Cherokees were marched through Old Greenville on their way to Indian Territory in 1838.

Cruise on south via Route D to The Camp at Lake Wappapello to grab a bite before continuing with your tour. Just a thirty-minute drive away is Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. Mingo provides an ideal opportunity to observe wildlife and enjoy the bottomland forests, wetlands, and swamps. Take a leisurely stroll along the boardwalks while spotting waterfowl and other migratory birds.

When finished, make your way back to Poplar Bluff along Highway 60. You’ll be surrounded by views of agriculture, spotting cotton, soybeans, wheat, and more.

Wrap up your trip with a return to downtown Poplar Bluff where you can admire the illuminated Veteran’s Memorial Wall at the Black River Coliseum. This monument is dedicated to the perpetual celebration of those who have served our country through the armed forces.

With several more beautiful locations nearby, Poplar Bluff is truly a destination worth visiting again and again.

POPLAR BLUFF TOURISM

POPLAR BLUFF is encompassed by the idyllic beauty of the Ozark foothills. Whether it’s spring, summer, or fall you’ll enjoy the blooming landscape as you explore the area via this route.

Before departing on your scenic journey, swing by the Margaret Harwell Art Museum located in historic downtown Poplar Bluff, a vital cultural resource for southeast Missouri.

Travel west on Highway 60 through the Mark Twain National Forest. This restorative forest maintains a jaw-dropping 1.5 million acres of public land. Arrive in Van Buren where you can spot breathtaking views of the Current River in the Ozark National Scenic Riverway, the nation’s first “scenic riverway.”

Continue south to Big Spring, the largest single outlet spring in the United States and one of the biggest springs in the world.

Backtrack on Highway 60 to Route 21 and veer east on Route 21 to Route HH to find Clearwater Lake near Piedmont. From there, it’s on to nearby Sam A. Baker State Park, an outdoor paradise offering a picturesque backdrop of the St. Francis Mountains.

Just a short distance south on Highway 67 is “Old Greenville.” This registered national historic site offers a one-mile walk down memory lane and the opportunity to take in

Mark Tw National F

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Bloomfield

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Poplar Bluff

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Doniphan

POINTS OF INTEREST 1. Margaret Harwell Art Museum, Poplar Bluff 2. Big Spring 3. Clearwater Lake 4. Sam A. Baker State Park 5. Old Greenville 6. Trail of Tears Marker, Old Greenville 7. The Camp at Lake Wappapello 8. Mingo National Wildlife Refuge 9. Hickory Log Restaurant, Dexter 10. Veteran's Memorial Wall, Poplar Bluff 11. Black River Coliseum, Poplar Bluff

Big Spring

| 35

STATE PARK TRIFECTA 88 MILES | ROUTES 19. 32, 119, YY, E, K, KK

THIS TOUR APPEALS to several modes of transportation, whether that be in a car, on a motorcycle, or maybe even a canoe if you prefer a river route.

In a motorized vehicle, start your journey in Salem at the Victorian courthouse, which is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. It was built in 1870 for $15,500.

Head south on Route 19 to Route 32.

Turn west and follow it to Route 119 on your way to Montauk State Park. When you get there, get out, stretch your legs, and feed the fish at the hatchery or grab a bite to eat and souvenirs at the lodge. When leaving the park, you can head down gravel road 6670 to reach Route YY or backtrack Route 119 and turn on Route E to reach Route K. If you take Route YY, head east and take a right for a short stretch on Route E, then head south on Route K to Welch Cave and Spring on the Current River. The spring is the eighth largest in Missouri with an average output of seventy-five million gallons of water per day. Walk the short trail to see the cave entrance and rock hospital that was constructed as a health resort for asthma sufferers in the early 1900s.

36 | Missouri Scenic Rides & Drives Guide

Back on Route K, still heading south, Akers Ferry is your next stop. It is currently one of only two active two-car ferries left in the United States. Park and walk down to the river to see the ferry.

Take a left on Route KK and a short side trip down to Devils Well. This natural feature formed when a cavern roof, containing a lake, collapsed. A spiral staircase leads to a viewing platform. The lake, eighty to one hundred feet below the platform, is larger than a football field. The gravel road to Devils Well is steep so use caution. Devils Well is the largest known permanent underground lake in the United States. Water volume is about twenty-two million gallons per day and emerges at Cave Springs. Grab your hiking shoes and complete the four-mile trail while you’re there.

Back on Route KK, head east to Route 19 going south. Echo Bluff State Park features scenic views of Sinking Creek, the second largest tributary of the Current River, and the bluff. At the lodge, grab a drink and a seat on the deck in the comfy rocking chairs.

To finish this tour, head north on Route 19 and enjoy the view, twists, and turns back to Salem.

SALEM AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Welch Spring

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Lenox H

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Rhyse

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Akers

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7 19 POINTS OF INTEREST

Montauk Spillway

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Dent County Courthouse, Salem Montauk State Park Welch Cave and Spring Current River Akers Ferry Devils Well Echo Bluff State Park

UPCOMING EVENTS May: Birds of Prey September: Salem Chamber Rodeo, Midwest Blue Oval Rally,Wings and Strings Festival,Veterans Free Fishing October: Rose Holland Trout Derby, Haunting at the Mill

Visit SalemMo.com for full listing of events, or Facebook.com/SalemAreaChamber. | 37

THE LUCAS OIL LOOP 111 MILES | ROUTES D, 83, 7, 5, HIGHWAYS 54, 65

THIS SCENIC LOOP starts and ends in Camdenton, but you can add to the fun with a loop through Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri’s favorite summer vacation destination.

Southwest of Camdenton is Ha Ha Tonka State Park. It’s worth a brief detour to explore the ruins of a turn-of-the-twentieth-century castle built high on a bluff overlooking Ha Ha Tonka Spring. The park offers visitors boating, swimming, fishing, and a fifteen-mile hiking trail that leads to sinkholes, caves, and the aforementioned castle.

As you roll further west through Macks Creek, keep an eye on the speedometer; until 1995, Macks Creek was one of the most infamous speed traps in the country.

When you arrive in Wheatland, you’ll immediately see Lucas Oil Speedway, a threeeighths-mile, semi-banked oval track that is one of the country’s most highly regard38 | Missouri Scenic Rides & Drives Guide

ed dirt-racing venues. Lucas Oil Speedway also features a drag boat lake named Lake Lucas and an off-road track. Plan your trip ahead of time and take in a race or pitch a tent in the speedway campgrounds. Visit LucasOilSpeedway.com for information and race schedules.

From Wheatland, journey north through Hickory and Benton counties for a scenic trip up to Truman Lake, the largest man-made lake in Missouri. Just south of Warsaw, you’ll catch a short run to connect you to the east route through Edwards and Climax Springs. Be sure to check out the waterfront joints for lakeside ambience. Stop in the recently remodeled Boondockz Lakefront Bar & Restaurant, formerly Sharkbite Bar & Grill, for food and fun.

A quick ride back into Camdenton should give you just enough time to consider that side trip to Lake of the Ozarks.

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, LUCAS OIL

Ha Ha Tonka State Park

Warsaw Lake of the Ozarks

Truman Lake

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4

Edwards

3 5 Climax Springs

5

Camdenton

Quincy

Roach

Wheatland 2

Macks Creek

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POINTS OF INTEREST 1.

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Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Camdenton Lucas Oil Speedway,Wheatland Truman Lake Boondockz Lakefront Bar & Restaurant, Climax Springs 5. Lake of the Ozarks

Lucas Oil Speedway

| 39

RIDE THE REAL OZARKS 233 MILES | HIGHWAY 160, ROUTES PP, H, 181, 14, 95, 125, 76

S

WHERE IN THE HELL is Theodosia?

Encircled by forest, lakes, rivers, and caves, Theodosia is nestled right in the heart of the Ozarks. Full of twists and turns, this picturesque route takes you on a journey like no other in an area rich with history, beauty, and amazing fishing. Theodosia claims the most record bass in Missouri.

Travel Highway 160 east over the amazing ten-span bridge crossing Bull Shoals Lake to Gainesville. Drop by the Caney Mountain Conservation Area, where the first wildlife management plan was designed, to see abundant wildlife in a rugged landscape.

From there, journey north to explore the winding roads that lead to a variety of unique stops such as Tecumseh, Zanoni, and Dora, whose mills beckon you to step back into history. Head north out of Dora and catch 40 | Missouri Scenic Rides & Drives Guide

Route 95 to circle back south. Cast a line for rainbow trout at Rockbridge or check out Glade Top Trail near Wasola, if you’re feeling adventurous. After you experience the stunning views, you’ll know why Glade Top is a National Scenic Byway. Back on Highway 160, you can return to Theodosia or venture west into the hills and curves.

A turn north at Rueter will take you into the Hercules-Glade Wilderness Area. Cruise through the mountains to the town of Ava and then northwest through the Ozark foothills to Sparta. Roll through Oldfield, Chadwick, Garrison, and Bradleyville. Cross Route 76 and retrek some of the same road with a new view as you ride back to Theodosia. Plan to spend some time at one of the many resorts in the real Ozarks and enjoy the year-round beauty of Bull Shoals, a lake for all seasons.

TURKEY CREEK RANCH RESORT; THEODOSIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Turkey Creek Ranch Resort

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Bruner Sparta

5 14

Oldfield

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Vanzant

Ava Chadwick 125

14

76

Garrison

14 95

Rockbridge 6

95

Romance

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Forsyth

Wasola

Brownbranch

Bradleyville

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76 160

Dora

Sycamore Zanoni 4

5 H

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Mark Twain National Forest

Rueter

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2 Gainesville

3 Tecumseh

5 Bull Shoals Lake

MISSOURI ARKANSAS

POINTS OF INTEREST 1.

2.

3.

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Bull Shoals Lake,Theodosia Caney Mountain Conservation Area, Gainesville Dawt Mill,Tecumseh Zanoni Mill, Zanoni Hodgson Water Mill, Dora Rockbridge Mill, Rockbridge Glade Top Trail Hercules-Glade Wilderness Area

Motorcyclists enjoy the Theodosica area.

| 41

MISSOURI STATE PARKS AND HISTORIC SITES This 400+ page oversized (9.5 x 12.5-inch) hardcover book is illustrated with hundreds of full-color photographs. These narratives go much deeper than the official brochures, telling the story of each park in a way that will enhance the understanding and appreciation of its distinctive features. With a focus on the special places Missourians have elected to preserve to represent their history and culture, the book will open the door to a lifetime of exploration and will influence generations to come. $49.99

Visit MissouriLife.com/Shop or call toll-free 1-877-570-9898 to order your copy today!

Cookie’s Restaurant Stop by Cookie’s Restaurant for a delicious meal and indulge in our famous desserts, including homemade cream pies, decadent carrot cake, and so much more. We cater to motorcyclists and love to hear about their rides on our scenic roads. Come enjoy the view at Bull Shoals Lake.

We are open 7 days a week with a full menu!

For resort information please visit our website at tmrbullshoals.net or call us at 417-273-4444.

Theodosia Marina Resort Come enjoy our part of the beautiful Ozarks!

• Feed the fish • Pick out a unique T-shirt • Rent a boat at the full-service marina

THE SHAWNEE HILLS 50 MILES | ROUTE 127, 146, HIGHWAYS OLD 51, 51, MAKANDA ROAD

MURPHYSBORO IS ILLINOIS’ barbecue capital, and barbecue aficionados have long known the trip to Murphysboro is more than worth it. The small town hosts a barbecue cook-off every year and is perhaps the only town in the country with two Barbecue Hall of Famers. In addition to the barbecue history, experience a booming craft beer movement and explore a variety of shops and the General John A. Logan Museum.

Travel south on the rolling hills of Route 127, along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. Enjoy the distinctive character of several wineries as you explore the scenery of the Shawnee National Forest with a short hike at the Pomona Natural Bridge or a more in depth adventure at the Little Grand Canyon area.

Explore the village of Alto Pass, then take the drive up Bald Knob Mountain for spectacular views of the forest valley. Back on Route 127 continue south to Route 146 east to Jonesboro, where one of the historic Lincoln and 44 | Missouri Scenic Rides & Drives Guide

Douglas debates was held. Lincoln Memorial Park offers easy paths to stretch your legs, and get your photo with Lincoln and Douglas.

Continue east to Anna, where you will find a variety of shops and restaurants. After you cross the railroad tracks, at the four-way stop, turn left and follow Old Highway 51 north to Cobden. Old Highway 51 travels through the countryside where it leads to new Highway 51 and crosses over to Makanda Road, into the village of Makanda—the gateway into Giant City State Park. While in Makanda, see if you can find the secret garden.

Named for unique impressions made by its massive sandstone structures, Giant City State Park is home to the “Giant City Streets”— huge bluffs of sandstone formed twelve thousand years ago. The Visitor Center provides interpretive displays and area information, and the Lodge offers dining and cabin options.

For a free guide, call 1-800-C-it-here or visit SouthernmostIllinois.com.

SOUTHERNMOST ILLINOIS TOURISM BUREAU

Bald Knob Mountain

1 Murphysboro

149

13 13

51 127

10

3

Makanda 11

2 3 4 5

Giant City State Park

Alto Pass

51

9

Trail of Tears State Forest

Cobden

127

6

3

57

7 146

Jonesboro

8 Anna

146 51

POINTS OF INTEREST 1. Murphysboro, Illinois 2. Von Jakob Winery & Brewery 3. Alto Vineyards 4. Alto Pass, Illinois 5. Bald Knob Cross 6. Trail of Tears State Forest 7. Lincoln Memorial Park 8. Anna, Illinois 9. Cobden, Illinois 10. Makanda Boardwalk 11. Giant City State Park

The Shawnee Hills, Von Jakob Winery & Brewery

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SHAWNEE FOREST COUNTRY 118 MILES | ROUTES 13, 142, 7, 17, 1, 146, 145, KARBERS RIDGE ROAD

HARRISBURG IS THE GATEWAY to the Shawnee National Forest where every season is special. Spring showcases its blooms, and summer offers adventures. Fall puts on a stunning color show, and in winter, bluffs hidden behind the summer foliage emerge dramatically into sight.

Travel east on Route 13, then south on Route 142 to the small town of Equality, where you might try the popular eatery, the Red Onion. Follow the Ohio River Scenic Byway on Route 7 south that turns into Route 17 to Garden of the Gods.

Garden of the Gods and Rim Rock/ Pounds Hollow Recreational Area are two must see locations on the eastern side of the Shawnee National Forest. Garden of the Gods consists of spectacular overlooks and views of unusual rock formations. One formation, known as Camel Rock, is featured in the 2016 America the Beautiful Quarter Program representing Illinois.

Take Karbers Ridge Road east to Route 1 46 | Missouri Scenic Rides & Drives Guide

south to Cave In Rock State Park. Take time to explore the cave and enjoy the Ohio River view from the Lodge Restaurant. Elizabethtown is a few miles west on Route 146 where you can indulge in a fresh fish dinner at the floating E’Town River Restaurant.

Continuing west on Route 146, the nearby town of Rosiclare grew up around the discovery of large deposits of fluorspar in 1843.

For a relaxing break, stroll along the town’s river walk or browse Rose Clare Craft and Antique Mall. When you reach historic Golconda, consider taking the self-guided audio tour with Golconda.Oncell.com.

Continue west on Route 146 and stop for a sweet treat at the Chocolate Factory. Then head north on Route 145 back to Harrisburg.

Along the way, there are several opportunities to venture into forest locations, such as Millstone Bluff, Jackson Falls, and Bell Smith Springs.

For a free guide, call 1-800-C-it-here or visit SouthernmostIllinois.com.

SOUTHERNMOST ILLINOIS TOURISM BUREAU

Camel Rock at Garden of the Gods

34 13

Harrisburg

1

13

2 Equality 13

142 7

1

45

145

17

3 5 4

34

1

34 145

146

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6 7 34

146 145

10 11

8

Elizabethtown

Rosiclare

146

9

Golconda

POINTS OF INTEREST 1. Harrisburg, Illinois 2. Equality, Illinois 3. Garden of the Gods 4. Rim Rock Trail 5. Pounds Hollow Lake 6. Cave In Rock State Park 7. Elizabethtown, Illinois 8. Rosiclare, Illinois 9. Golconda, Illinois 10. Dixon Springs State Park, Dixon Springs, Illinois 11. The Chocolate Factory, Dixon Springs, Illinois

Rock State Park

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