The New Year is a perfect time to experience new places. In Missouri, there are near countless hidden and not-so-secret gems scattered throughout the state.
With a population cresting 6.1 million and thousands of miles to explore, you may already have places like the Gateway Arch in St. Louis or the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City on your list to visit. If you haven't already, here are five places to add.
Elephant Rocks State Park
Elephant Rocks State Park in Missouri came in at No. 3 in a nation-wide survey ranking Americans' favorite natural landmarks in 2022, and it's a well-earned title.
The elephant rocks, about a three-hour drive from Springfield, were formed from 1.5-billion-year-old granite and are giant boulders that stand like a train of circus elephants.
"The elephant-shaped boulders at Elephant Rocks State Park may not be the stars of a circus, but these giant granite boulders are the stars of this unusual park in southeast Missouri," according to Missouri State Parks. "The rocks have created formations that intrigue geologists, are popular with history buffs interested in the past quarrying, and fascinate children who love to climb on and between the boulders."
Elephant Rocks State Park is located at 7390, 7406 MO-21 in Belleview.
Mark Twain's Boyhood Home & Museum
Along the Mississippi River is Mark Twain's Boyhood Home & Museum, 120 N. Main St. in Hannibal. Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, the quintessential American writer was known by his pen name, Mark Twain.
"'Mark Twain' is a riverboat term measuring two fathoms (12 feet) in depth: mark (measure) twain (two),'" according to the museum.
Clemens was born in Florida, Mo. His family moved to Hannibal when he was four and he lived there until he was 17 years old, when he left to travel the world. Mark Twain’s books were published at a time when international copyright did not exist, according to the museum's website. Many were released first in England to obtain the British copyright, then in the United States.
From April to October, the museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Sunday. From November to March, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Sunday. It is closed for major holidays. Tickets for children 6-17 are $6, adults $12 and seniors are $10.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum
The Missouri home of another notable author is about a 45-minute drive from Springfield. Laura Ingalls Wilder moved to Mansfield with her husband Almanzo and daughter Rose in 1894. Wilder's book series Little House on the Prairie has been read for generations.
The Wilder family purchased a forty-acre farm, which had a one-room log cabin near the spring and ravine, according to the museum. After living in the log cabin through the first winter they built a room onto the side of it in the spring of 1895. They moved the new room to the present historic house location, where it is now the kitchen, the next spring. A second room, with an attic space above it, was added to create a two-room house with an attic bedroom for Rose.
"It took 17 years from the time they moved the room to when the home was finished in 1913. They lived in a small house in the town of Mansfield from about 1898-1911," the museum stated.
Wilder's historic Rocky Ridge Farm remains as it was in 1957 and stands as an official project of the Save America’s Treasures National Trust for Historical Preservation, according to the museum.
The museum, at 3060 Highway A in Mansfield, is open March 1 to Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Tickets for children ages 6-17 are $8 and adults are $18.
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The Current River
Known for caves surrounding and along the water, the Current River flows about 225 miles from Montauk Spring in the Ozark Mountains into the Black River in Randolph County in Arkansas. It is fed by the Welch, Cave, Pulltite, Big, Blue and Round springs, according to Britannica. The winding river is popular with boaters, floaters and fisherman alike.
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways was the first national park designated to protect a wild river system and created in 1964, according to Missouri State Parks. The ONSR includes significant portions of both the Current and Jacks Fork rivers and their many tributaries. Current River State Park is located along Current River and a portion of the park is within the scenic easem*nt of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
The Meramec River
Last but not least is the Meramec River, which flows by majestic bluffs, wooded areas and a dramatic cave entrance. More than 13 miles of hiking trails are available for exploring the park, and visitors can swim, fish, raft and boat in the river.
Meramec River is also known for Fisher Cave, which is truly one of the park's "most spectacular natural wonders," according to Missouri State Parks.
"From the low, narrow streamside passages to the huge rooms filled with calcite deposits, Fisher Cave offers one outstanding cave scene after another," the department stated on its website. "Inside these rooms and passages are well-preserved bear claw marks, cave wildlife and a vast array of calcite deposits ranging from intricate hellectites to massive columns 30 feet tall."
Sara Karnes is an Outdoors Reporter with the Springfield News-Leader. Follow along with her adventures onTwitterandInstagram@Sara_Karnes. Got a story to tell? Email her at skarnes@springfi.gannett.com.
