Day Trip

story by Connye Griffin | photos by Al Griffin

Lost and Found near Echo Bluff and Eminence

Peck 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

choices. The Current River lodge dates back to the 1930s, providing a glimpse of last-century architecture. Echo Bluff Lodge is new and modern. The cabins and rooms are well-appointed, especially for Autumn temperatures. Rooms have gas fireplaces for warmth and romance.

a bit of Glamour on the Way to outdoor spaces

Routes from the lake will pass through one of Missouri’s wine districts. The city of St. James, home to St. James Winery, will celebrate the grape and fall September 2nd through the 6th. Heinrichshaus Winery’s annual festival featuring wine and food is September 28.

Rolla’s Public House Brewing Company with locations in Rolla and St. James will celebrate Oktoberfest on September 25. On October 9th, Rolla will host homecoming for Missouri University Science and Technology and on the same day, an Arts and Crafts Festival.

A different route to the Current River area would allow travelers to visit Piney River Brewing Company’s spacious tasting room near Bucyrus. Overlooking Missouri fields and forests, the stop in route is sure to please.

special Missouri Waters near eminence

Blue Spring, one of Missouri’s deepest springs, is 12 miles east of Eminence under a dolomite bluff. Nine miles southeast of Eminence is Rocky Falls Shut-In, a spectacular example of Missouri’s impressive waterfalls. At both sites, hiking and picnicking are on the menu.

Thirteen miles north of Eminence is Round Spring, a short hike from a parking lot, but the turquoise waters are worth the steps. Characteristic blue stream waters are also just across a quaint bridge on a path to Alley Spring and Grist Mill. This one is 6 miles west of Eminence.

Cellphone signals may be weak or lost entirely near Echo Bluff and Eminence, but so much natural beauty and soul-satisfying moments are found there, too.

OVER 6,000 SQ. FT. OF INDOOR CONSIGNMENT! WE HAVE A VARIETY OF FURNITURE, VINTAGE, ANTIQUES, TOOLS AND MUCH MORE!

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