Starburst - (Not Photoshopped), photo by smalltowngirl
St. Francois State Park was a pleasant surprise. This park sits directly on US Highway 67 north of Bonne Terre, Missouri, and I’ve driven past it countless times through the years without ever visiting it. The park boasts four trails ranging in length from .5-mile (Missouri Trail) to 11-miles (Pike Run Trail).
Frozen, photo by smalltowngirl
The first hike we took was along the Mooner’s Hollow Trail, a 2.7-mile loop that though judged moderate in difficulty on the MO State Parks website, seemed to me to be easy-to-moderate. There weren’t many steep inclines, and there weren’t many roots or larger rocks along the trail.
Rushing Water, photo by smalltowngirl
Much of the trail followed a dry creek bed, so I anticipate that this trail may be best hiked during dryer months. Mooner’s Hollow Trail follows Coonville Creek in the Coonville Creek Natural Area.
Missouri Hills, photo by smalltowngirl
St. Francois State Park is one of 83 State Parks in the state of Missouri. The park boasts more than 2,700 acres of land, and welcomes hikers, horseback riding, fishing, camping, picnicking and swimming. There are shower houses and out buildings in the park. The park currently opens at 8 am and closes at 6 pm.
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Tags: Coonville Creek, Coonville Creek Natural Area, Hiking, Missouri, Missouri State Parks, Mooner's Hollow Trail, small town missouri, Small Town Missouri Girl, smalltowngirl, St. Francois County Missouri, St. Francois State Park
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I, too, have driven past the sign on Hwy 67 hundreds of times on my way to and from St. Louis but never took the time to check it out. Thanks for the beautiful pictures!
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Nice post – beautiful photo’s! Thanks for sharing!
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I always drive past that park too, and have NEVER been. I’ll try realllllly hard to motivate myself next time I’m in the area!
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Beth, here’s your motivation; if you call me up, I’ll go with you!
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