Attractions
Area Activities
Located on K Highway only 1/4 mile from K-Bridge access to Black River. This is a popular swimming and floating destination. Whether you are swimming, floating, or just soaking up the sun on the sandbar, K-Bridge is a popular spot on Black River.
With nearly 375,000 visitors annually, Johnson’s Shut-Ins is a popular destination. The shut-ins, carved into the rock by the Black River’s rushing water, are a perfect spot for swimming and splashing. The shut-ins have direct access via a convenient boardwalk and features several overlooks, which have beautiful views of the area.
Our neighbors, Jeff’s Canoe Rental, offers one and two day floats. They will also pickup and drop off floaters right here at Black River Hideaway. Visit the friendly folks at Jeff’s for your next Black River float trip.
Ironton, Missouri’s brand-new Shepherd Mountain Bike Park offers some of the most challenging, technical, and hair-raising riding that can be found anywhere between the Appalachians and the Rockies.
Established in the 1980’s after Elmer Tiemann sold the property to the State of Missouri, Millstream Gardens Conservation Area is a 697-acre tract of land in Madison County, located off of State Route 72 around halfway between Fredericktown and Arcadia.
The Tiemann Shut-ins are located within the boundaries of the park. One of the area’s western boundary is the St. Francis River, which flows east for 1.2 miles through the area’s mid-southern portion before rushing through the shut-ins and into the Silver Mines area.
Giant, billion-year-old granite boulders, like a train of red circus elephants, stand end-to-end in this park. They are the stars of this geological circus. Spend some time reading the names and remarks etched into the red granite by miners who worked in the area during the nineteenth century.
A self-guided trail (with Braille signage) snakes its way through these geologic masterpieces and past the ruins of a long-defunct mining operation.
The Civil War Battle of Pilot Knob took place here on September 26-27, 1864, when Confederate forces assaulted the earthen Union fort. During the fierce fighting, over 1,000 men were killed or injured. The Confederate armies were defeated at the conclusion of the campaign. The remaining fort is still present on the site. The story is told by exhibits and a slideshow in the visitor center.
This Missouri spring lives up to its reputation, with its bright blue water making it a sight to behold; well worth the half-mile walk from the parking area. The spring has a depth of 310 feet, which is enough to cover the Statue of Liberty. At 90 million gallons of water per day, this spring contributes significantly to the Current River.
Sam A. Baker State Park has something for everyone, with the ancient St. Francois Mountains, the unspoiled natural landscape, and the cool waters of the St. Francis River and Big Creek.
Access to both the river and the creek allows anglers to catch a variety of fish and canoeists to float all year. Several miles of hiking, backpacking, bicycling, and equestrian trails provide glimpses of the area as it was discovered by the early settlers. Exhibits in the park’s nature center interpret the park’s natural and cultural history.