All Outdoors and Recreation in Missouri

Magnolia Hollow Conservation Area – Panoramic Mississippi River Views from Limestone Bluffs Ten miles north of Ste. Genevieve on Magnolia Hollow Road, the rugged 1,740-acre Magnolia Hollow Conservation Area rises above the Mississippi River—a recreation and outdoor lover’s paradise where steep bluffs provide panoramic views of the river bottomlands, Establishment Creek winds through dense hardwood forests, and bald eagles soar past limestone cliffs in winter months. This Missouri Department of Conservation property offers accessible overlooks, forested hiking trails, primitive camping, and the kind of wild, minimally managed landscape that protects sensitive watersheds while inviting nature enthusiasts to experience the dramatic terrain defining Ste. Genevieve County’s Mississippi River borderlands. The Panoramic Overlook: Why People Come to Magnolia Hollow Most visitors arrive for one reason: the view. The Accessible Viewing Platform: A short paved trail (approximately 1/8 mile from the parking lot) leads to a wooden viewing platform with guardrails and benches—designed for wheelchair accessibility and safe viewing for all ages and abilities. From the platform, elevated on limestone bluffs hundreds of feet above the floodplain, you see: The Mississippi River – Visible in the distance, the great river that shaped French colonial settlement patterns, served as superhighway for fur traders and Read more…

Pere Marquette Park – Ste. Genevieve’s Hidden Gem Named for Father Jacques Marquette, the famous 17th-century French Jesuit missionary and explorer who journeyed down the Mississippi River with Louis Joliet in 1673, Pere Marquette Park offers locals and visitors a peaceful retreat where recreation, natural beauty, and open space come together. This scenic city park embodies the kind of unpretentious, family-friendly outdoor space that makes small-town life so appealing—and remarkably, it remains one of Ste. Genevieve’s best-kept secrets, seeing relatively light usage despite its excellent facilities. A Park That Invites You to Linger Pere Marquette Park provides exactly what a good city park should: ample space for play, rest, and recreation without the crowds and over-programming that can make urban parks feel more stressful than relaxing. The light usage means you’re likely to find the park peaceful and uncrowded, whether you’re visiting on a weekday afternoon or a weekend morning. This isn’t a park where you’ll struggle to find parking, wait for playground equipment, or feel like you’re competing for space. Instead, you’ll discover room to spread out, breathe deeply, and enjoy outdoor time at your own pace. For families with young children, this spaciousness is particularly valuable—kids can run, Read more…

Pickle Springs Natural Area, Highway AA Ste. Geneviève, MO 63670 Call us at 573-883-3603 Pickle Springs has been designated a Natural Landmark by the National Park Service for its biological and geological values as an undisturbed site. A two-mile trail named the “Trail Through Time” winds through the park and guides the visitor through 500 million-year-old geologic wonders carved in sandstone. The trail features clear streams, cool canyons, spectacular bluff views, and “The Slot,” a crevice marked with holes, pockets, and ridges. Visitors must climb through the ”Keyhole” to descend to the creek below. Twin footbridges cross Bone Creek and pass Mossy Falls. The park is a primitive natural area and does not have services. Be sure to bring a camera and plenty of liquids before hiking the trail. Read more…

1301 Progress Parkway Ste. Geneviève, MO 63670 Call us at 573.883.5244 River Rapids Water Park has daily and seasonal memberships available. This amazing facility includes several tubular tall water slides. The lazy river offers a relaxing float around the park. A 6-lane lap pool features a zip line, climbing ropes, and a diving board. An exciting kids’ play area has 30 different activities to enjoy. Come for a splashing good time! Read more…

Ste. Genevieve – Modoc Ferry – A River Crossing with Deep Roots For well over two centuries, a ferry crossing has connected the Missouri and Illinois shores of the Mississippi River near Ste. Genevieve, making it one of the oldest continuously operating transportation routes in the American Midwest. Today’s Ste. Genevieve – Modoc Ferry carries on a tradition that stretches back to the very earliest days of European settlement in the region—a living link to the frontier era when the Mississippi was both highway and boundary. A Petition Written in French: 1798 The story of this ferry crossing begins in 1798, when residents of Ste. Genevieve formally petitioned for the establishment of a ferry service across the mighty Mississippi. The petition itself was written in French—the language of commerce, government, and daily life in this thriving French colonial river town. At that time, Ste. Genevieve was already a well-established community, one of the most important settlements in Upper Louisiana, and the need for reliable river transportation was essential for trade, communication, and connection with settlements on the Illinois side. The Mississippi River was the superhighway of its day, but it was also a formidable barrier. Establishing a ferry wasn’t just Read more…