(StatePoint) You want to get away and enjoy the outdoors, but don’t have time to be gallivanting all around the country. No fear, Missouri already has great destinations. All you need to do is get in your car to experience them.
When you’re ready to take in the beauty of your home state, here are some great places to consider:
Outdoor Memories a Car Ride Away in Pulaski County
The tendency to flee the dull hum of fluorescent lighting is too often associated with the stress of planning a long getaway. But in Pulaski County, the outdoor adventures you’ve dreamed of are but a short road trip away. Pristine waterways carve through the Ozarks, a perfect opportunity to drift away on currents. Some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in the country lures anglers to test their abilities. Vacation homes and cabins spin rustic charm into modern luxuries, while campsites offer a chance to commune with nature and sleep under star-strewn night skies. See how the experiences you discover in Pulaski County are memories you’ll remember forever — and turn your quick trip into an overnight excursion. Learn more and plan your trip at PulaskiCountyUSA.com.
Fun and Relaxing Fall Family Experiences in Benton County
As summer ends, we begin anticipating autumn’s charms. Benton County is a great family destination to make memories and find adventures this fall. Take a relaxing drive amid beautiful landscapes surrounding Truman Lake and the Osage Arm of Lake of the Ozarks, make S’mores beside a campfire, cast your rod on scenic lake waters as adrenaline rushes with that first bite, leisurely bike along Warsaw’s Riverfront Trails, and visit a fall festival. There are many autumnal sights and smells around Cole Camp, Lincoln and Warsaw — a short drive from most major cities. Sip a latte or specialty brew on a cozy cabin’s deck while planning a fun day on the lakes or browsing dozens of family-owned shopping and dining businesses in quaint towns. Learn more at www.visitbentoncomo.com.
Admire History and Architecture at the Gateway Arch
Rededicated in 2018, the stunning Gateway Arch National Park includes 91 acres of green walking trails nestled along the waterfront in St. Louis, near the starting point of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition. The impressive 630-foot tall arch stands as the city and state’s main icon, originally dedicated in 1935 to celebrate the Louisiana Purchase and America’s westward expansion. Not only does the park serve as a memorial to Thomas Jefferson’s role in opening the West, it commemorates Dred Scott, an enslaved black man, who sued for his freedom in the Old Courthouse. When you are done exploring the striking arch and the park, take advantage of some of the cultural, culinary and entertainment options that the city has to offer. Learn more at https://www.nps.gov/jeff/.
Hit the Trails at Babler State Park
Happy trails are here for you at Babler State Park, a popular state-managed public recreation area ensconced in the northwest section of Wildwood, Missouri. The park offers your choice among different picturesque hiking trails, a 2-mile paved bicycle trail and a 6-mile equestrian. More than 2,400 acres of outdoor fun await hikers, picnickers, bicyclists, campers and horseback riders. Admire the park’s scenic viewpoints, trails and covered shelters. Its impressive stone gateway, buildings and bridges were made from local stones quarried in the area. Today, 22 of the structures at Babler State Park are included in the National Register of Historic Places. Learn more at https://mostateparks.com/.
Photo 2 Credit: (c) Missouri Division of Tourism