DAY TRIP story by Connye Griffin | photos by Al Griffin
Lost and Found near Echo Bluff and Eminence
P
eck Ranch, the Current River, and the Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry near Echo Bluff State Park are gateways to Missouri’s natural beauty and open-air challenges. Just south of Salem and near Eminence, these three outdoor places will let you lose your daily cellphone cares and find your inner strengths. In something under 3 hours from Lake of the Ozarks, hikers, bikers, and paddlers will breathe in the scent of oak, hickory, and pine forests. Peck Ranch and Elk
With more than 23,000 acres, Peck Ranch offers habitat for elk and a variety of terrain for hikers and bikers. Rocky glades, grasslands, and elevations above 1,000 feet challenge outdoorsmen and women. They will almost certainly see wild turkey and songbirds. The luckiest will spy shy whitetail deer and majestic elk. Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry
Above: Alley Spring is just six miles west of Eminence. Below: Wild Horses live in the wild country near the Current River. Opposite page: A view of the Current River in the fall.
Adjacent to Echo Bluff State Park is the privately owned but state managed Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry for hiking and backpacking. The rugged, natural setting carries people into a past when horses and hikers traveled the ground. Today, however, mountain bikers also take advantage of Backcountry’s trails. To date, there are 27 miles of trail in the largely undeveloped 60,000 acres—plenty of space in which to hear birds and breezes instead of road noise. The luckiest hikers will encounter the well-known wild horse herd, descended from early settlers. The Current River
The Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry includes three creeks and 15 miles of Current River frontage where travelers can see trees dating back to the 17th century. The waters of the Current are considered to be among the finest for canoes, kayaks, and rafts. These are available to rent for a day trip or even an overnight with camping spots along the shore. Lodging for Days on the Ranch or River
If camping under the stars in all kinds of weather isn’t an option, then the Current River and Echo Bluff State parks are good 14 VACATION NEWS
October 1-14, 2021
