Fredericktown/Marquand/Madison County Area
Natural Areas
Castor River Shut Ins/Hahn’s Mill/Amidon Memorial Conservation Area – This gorgeous 1,630 acre natural area contains the only red granite shut ins in the world, a stunning geological formation on the upper Castor River. Explore the foundation and remains of Hahn’s Mill, and the evidence of the Skaggs’ Mill that once was located at the upper end of the granite shut ins. Whether you want to hike, swim, camp, fish, hunt, or nature watch – this should be on your must visit list. Click here and here for more area info.
Silver Mines Recreation Area – Silver Mines offers a variety of recreational opportunities and is abundant with historic and geological wonders. This beautiful area is located along the St. Francis River, the only river in Missouri classified as “white water,” and is used for kayaking during the spring high waters. Silver Mines is located at a historic mining operation and is known for its Precambrian granite and felsite rocks. Silver Mines Recreation Area is named for the abandoned “Einstein Mine”, which was mined for Silver, Tungsten and Lead. The Einstein Silver Mining Company began mining in 1877, and mining ceased completely in 1946. Click here and here for more area info.
Millstream Gardens Conservation Area & Tiemann Shut Ins – Millstream Gardens Conservation Area is a 916-acre tract of land in Madison County, about halfway between Fredericktown and Arcadia, off of Highway 72. The spectacular Tiemann Shut-ins are within the area’s boundaries. The St. Francis River forms one of the area’s western boundaries, then meanders eastward for 1.2 miles through the area’s mid-southern section, before rushing through the shut-ins and passing into the Silver Mines area. Click here and here for more area info.
Marble Creek Recreation Area – This area with its beautiful creek, camp and picnic grounds is located between Fredericktown and Arcadia, MO. Marble Creek, rushing 20 miles through the rugged St. Francis Mountains, is named for deposits of attractively colored dolomites which were mined and used in the building trade as “Taum Sauk Marble”. Within the recreation area, you can see the concrete remains of a grist mill dam and building foundation. This dam was the third to be built here and was operated until 1935. This quiet campground and recreation area is the main trailhead for the Marble Creek Section of the Ozark Trail. This 8-mile segment goes to Crane Lake and is open for hiking, equestrian and mountain bike use. Horses are allowed at trailhead, but not within campground or picnic area. Click here and here for more area info
Lower Rock Creek Trail – Take off on this moderate to difficult six-mile hike in Missouri that’s dotted with shimmering pools and quaint waterfalls. Click here and here for more area info.
Rock Pile Mountain Wilderness – This 4,238 acre Wilderness takes its name from an ancient circle of granite rock, piled by some earlier man on top of the mountain. It is located in Madison County on the Fredericktown Ranger District, southeast of Bell Mountain and southwest of Fredericktown, Missouri. The area is primarily a broken ridge, having steep rocky slopes running from Little Grass Mountain on the north to the National Forest boundary four miles to the south. Click here and here for more area info.
Thompson Ford Access on Little St. Francis River – The Thompson Ford Fishing Access, located on the Little St. Francis River, is an 84-acre tract of woodland and old fields. The area skirts both sides of the river for approximately one-half mile, beginning downstream at the concrete bridge on County Road 503. The road is accessible from a path at the northwest corner of the parking lot.
The Little St. Francis River, best known for wade-fishing for smallmouth bass and bluegill, is navigable by canoes and small boats only during periods of wet weather during spring and fall. Visitors can “hand launch” small vessels from the parking lot on the north side of the river. Click here for more area info.
Marquand Access on Castor River – 63 acres south of Marquand on the Castor River, it’s a beautiful spot for fishing & hunting. Click here for more area info.
Area Attractions
- Little River Farm ~ 1287 Madison 505 Fredericktown ~ 573.561.3163 ~ Pick Your Own Flowers, Sunflower Patches, Open Farm Days with critter petting, Corn Maze, Pumpkins, Kid’s Activities, & More! Check out their Facebook page or website for more info!
Eat
- Castor River Roadhouse ~ 101 South Harding Street Marquand ~ 573.783.0060 ~ Fantastic Barbecue, Burgers, Sandwiches, Fish, Bar, Indoor & Outdoor Seating, Live Music, Special Events. Check out their Facebook page for more info!
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