Big Creek RV Park
Come Stay With Us and See It All!
Nearby Attractions
There are several state parks, historic sites, and museums near Big Creek RV Park! You can enjoy their stunning beauty by hiking, backpacking, picnicking, biking, horseback riding, birdwatching, or just taking a scenic drive. There are so many, it's hard to choose!
Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park
According to Wikipedia, a "shut-in" is "a narrow channel because of hard rock and is unnavigable." This amazing feast for the eyes is on the Black River, which weaves its way through the shut-ins, splashing and churning in a quite spectacular way. The rock creates a natural waterslide in some areas. This is the most visited state park in the state of Missouri, and the fifth most visited state park in the United States. For more information, visit http://mostateparks.com/park/johnsons-shut-ins-state-park.
Elephant Rocks State Park
What a site! Huge, granite boulders as large as elephants are what give this spectacular park its name. These boulders are sitting atop a hill, just like circus elephants. The largest rock, Dumbo, weighs 680 tons. It is 27 feet tall, 35 feet long, and 17 feet wide. This is definitely a must-see on your trip, and perfect for hiking and photography. Visit http://www.missouristateparks.net/elephant-rocks-state-park/index.htm for more information.
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
Taum Sauk Mountain, at 1,772 feet, is the highest point in Missouri. You can park at the bottom of the mountain and hike a 3-mile loop (1.5 miles each way). You can also climb the fire tower there and get a breathtaking view of the area below. In addition, a mile down the Taum Sauk section of the Ozark Trail, you will see the Devil's Tollgate--an 8-foot-wide passage of volcanic ryolite. This passage stretches 50 feet long and 30 feet high on both sides. Hikers can continue from here the over 10-mile hike to nearby Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park. You will also see Missouri's tallest wet-weather waterfall--Mina Sauk Falls--which is truly breathtaking! The water cascades over 132 feet of igneous rock ledges, with a wonderful view of the St. Francois Muontains from the top of the falls. There is a wonderful Native American legend about Mina Sauk Falls and how it got its name. If you would like to read more about the , along with more information about Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, visit http://www.missouristateparks.net/taum-sauk-mountain-state-park/index.htm.
Fort Davidson State Historic Site and Museum
The Battle of Pilot Knob, waged on Sept. 26th and 27th, 1864, was one of the largest battles fought in Missouri. It was key in the failure of Gen. Sterling Price's raid on the state of Missouri.
Today, still intact are the walls, the moat, the gun platform, and the crater left by the explosion of the powder magazine. Fort Davidson is at the center of what remains of the battlefield, and it reminds us of the sacrifices made by Missouri's citizens during the Civil War. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. See http://www.missouri-vacations.com/fort-davidson-state-historic-site/index.htm for more information on Fort Davidson and the battle that was so valiantly fought there. There is also a wonderful Civil War History Museum at the site. And be sure to mark your calendars--2014 marks the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Pilot Knob. Keep your eye on our Events Calendar for details about the upcoming Reenactment in 2014.
Missouri Mines State Historic Site
Since about 1720, lead has been big business in the eastern Ozarks. There's no better place to explore that history than at Missouri Mines State Historic Site, in the heart of the Old Lead Belt. There you can see the processing plant of the former St. Joe Lead Company, which has been turned into a museum. The museum displays actual machinery from the mines, interprets the area's lead mining history, and houses one of the Midwests's finest collections of minerals. To learn more, visit http://mostateparks.com/location/56331/powerhouse-museum.
The Millstream Gardens Conservation Area is about halfway between Fredericktown and Arcadia, off State Hwy. 72. It is a 697-acre tract of land that showcases all the beauty the Ozark mountain area has to offer. One of its western boundaries is formed by the St. Francis River, which then meanders eastward for 1.2 miles through its mid-southern section, before rushing through the Tiemann Shut-Ins and passing into the Silver Mines area. For more information, visit
Millstream Gardens Conservation Area is a 697-acre tract of land in Madison http://www.visitmo.com/listing/contentguid/02ec9843-b8bb-445c-977c-c8e50fc800b2.aspx .
Vance Aviation Museum
This jewel of a museum is housed in Fredericktown's old train depot. And Paul Vance, who started the museum, has forgotten more about aviation that most people will ever know about the subject. He started the museum to showcase a collection of aeronautical artifacts he'd collected over the years, and also to Highlight MIssouri's contributions to aviation history.
He served in the Navy during World War II, and then spent 19 more years in the Navy reserves. He then attended gratuate school at St. Louis University and became director of aviation for the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce. In the years that followed, he worked as a corporate pilot for Monsanto, and he also continued his efforts to improve the safety of air travel.
And if you visit him at the museum, he will happily share all his stories with you! And rumor has it--the name of the first gentleman to fly through the Arch in St. Louis is kept secretly inside the museum... If you would like to visit the Vance Aviation Museum, call Paul at 573-783-5885.
To read more about the museum, visit www.mopac.org/pic_struc.asp or Rural Missourian February 2012.
St. Joe State Park
This park, at 8,238 acres, is Missouri's third largest state park. There are about 2,000 acres set aside for the ORV (off-road vehicle) riding area. Special rules and regulations apply, so contact the park office at 573-431-1069 for information or visit their website.
This scenic park is right in the middle of southeast Missouri's old "Lead Belt," where lead ore was extracted to supply much of the nation for more than a century. The land for the park was donated by the St. Joe Minerals Corporation in 1972 when it ceased operations.
In addition to the ORV riding area, there is a hiking & biking trail, equestrian trails, picnic sites, and a lake for swimming and fishing. The mill buildings still stand and have become the Missouri Mines State Historic Site . This includes a museum with antique mining and milling equipment and a large collection of geological samples. All in all a great place to visit!
Mark Twain National Forest
The beautiful Ozarks serve as a setting to Missouri's large and wonderful national forest! There are a wide variety of activities available, including trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. ATV riding is permitted in certain areas with a National Forest permit.
For hiking and mountain biking maps, please visit the following links. You will want to check out the Taum Sauk and Marble Creek sections of the Ozark Trail. For information on ATV trails, please visit the Mark Twain National Forest Site and choose any of the three areas listed for OHV Trail Riding at Salem Ranger District for more information.
Be sure to take your camera, because there are ample opportunities for both amateur and professional photographers and birdwatchers alike.
