Mark Twain Lake
Ralls County, MO |
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With 18,000 acres of natural lands there are
plenty of opportunities to catch fall color whether on a drive, a hike,
or from one of the many scenic overlooks. |
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Little Dixie Highway
Pike County, MO |
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Pike County is located about an hour's drive
north of St. Louis and lies between the Mississippi River and the
northeast plains of Missouri. The eastern region that borders the
Mississippi is dominated by the Lincoln Hills, an area that resembles
the rugged and forested hills of the Ozarks. The Great River Road,
MO-79, through this region has been designated the Little Dixie Highway
of the Great River Road, a National Scenic Byway, as it travels over the
bluffs and visits the river towns of Clarksville and Louisiana. |
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County Roads
Pike County, MO |
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Clarksville is the anchor of a Missouri State
Scenic Byway that starts just south of downtown and winds it way through
the rural landscape of Pike County on Route W to Paynesville and then
onto Route WW through Edgewood to US Highway 61. |
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Highway 94 & the KATY
Trail State Park
St. Charles County, MO |
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Travelers in St. Charles County can find fall colors, vineyards, and quaint villages
along the Weinstrasse, "The Wine Road," as scenic
Highway 94 is called. Visit Klondike Bluffs Park or bike along
the Katy Trail as it follows the Missouri River. |
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Pere Marquette State
Park, Grafton, IL
Illinois’ largest state park prides itself in the panoramic views it has to
offer. Take the scenic drive that starts near the Visitors Center and travel to
the bluff tops where there are four scenic overlooks with convenient parking
areas. Near the first outlook is access to the Hickory
Hiking Trail, a fairly level trail where hikers can stroll through the
beauty that season has to offer and provides access to several more scenic
overlooks. Any of the ten hiking
trails that the Park maintains will provide hikers with an up close and
personal experience with the fall foliage season. Fall colors are more than just
leaves. Wildflowers in bloom this time of year include false dragonhead,
boneset, goldenrod, wood sorrel and aster. Fruits coming to maturation include
pokeberry, autumn olive and sumac. Guided tours are
offered periodically by the Park staff. For more information on the tours or any of the other
events the Park offers check out the Park’s
Calendar Page. |
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Middle Mississippi Valley
Ferries
Catch the view while crossing the Illinois and Mississippi rivers on any
of the five ferries that provide access to Calhoun and Jersey Counties
in Illinois and St. Charles and Lincoln Counties in Missouri. For a
round trip journey on four ferries through Calhoun County start in
Grafton and follow the Scenic Byway to Kampsville, where a free ferry
crosses the Illinois River. Take Highway 100 to Hardin and then follow
County Road 1 as it passes the Blue Ridge bluffs and look for signs
leading to Batchtown and the Winfield Ferry. After crossing the
Mississippi River into Missouri take County Road N to MO-79 before
heading south for County Road C and signs leading to the Golden Eagle
Ferry. After another crossing of the Mississippi, follow the signs for
Brussels until you intersect with County Road 1 and take a right, which
will lead you to the Brussels Free Ferry. End your trip with a meal,
refreshments or shopping in Grafton or a visit to Pere Marquette State
Park. An $11.00 round trip fee applies to each of the Winfield and
Golden Eagle ferries. Ferry ride rates are subject to change. |
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Sam Vadalabene
Bike Trail
Jersey & Madison
Counties, IL |
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This 20- mile bike trail parallels the Mississippi and Illinois rivers as they
pass by the limestone bluffs that characterize the area. Start near the Piasa
Bird in Alton and visit the river towns of Elsah and Grafton before ending at
Pere Marquette State Park. This bike trail is paved with an easy grade with the
exception for the area just west of Grafton. |
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Elsah
Madison County, IL |
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Stroll through this town which was is the only town to be designated in its
entirety on the National Register of Historic Places because of its abundance of
19th century buildings and homes. The fall season provides an extra measure of
charm. |
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Olin Nature
Preserve
Godfrey, IL |
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Located on the top of the Mississippi bluffs in Godfrey, the Olin Nature
Preserve is a 300-acre Illinois Nature Preserve with wide trails through
woodlands and native hill prairies, and contains several scenic views
overlooking the Mississippi River. |
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Fall
Color Brochure
The Alton Regional Convention and Visitor’s Bureau has created a wonderful
brochure with a map and details to scenic country drives that are noted for
their fall colors. Each of these rides highlights a different quality of the
Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway area. The rides featured are Meeting
of the Great Rivers Scenic Route – the most traveled route from Alton
through Elsah and Grafton to Pere Marquette State Park; The US 67 Country
Loop – Considered the best country day drive in Illinois. Along with the
river bluffs this route visits Jerseyville and Calhoun County; Calhoun County
Vista & Ferries Loop – This loop features the ferries of the
Mississippi and Illinois Rivers and scenic Calhoun County. The route maps include the locations of popular attractions,
ferries, roadside stands, and orchards while the accompanying directions give
greater detail and additional information. To obtain a brochure you can pick one
up at the Alton Visitors Center, 200 Piasa Street in downtown Alton across the
street from the grain elevators, call 1-800-258-6645 and request a free copy
to be mailed to you, or download the brochure at visitalton.com.
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Stone
Bridges Tour
Monroe County, IL |
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The landscape of Monroe County is dotted with a
number of European-style stone arch bridges. greatriverroad.com has put
together an easy driving tour to see five of these structures. The
scenery along this route winds its way through scenic farmlands,
colorful forests, through the historic town of Maeystown, and beneath
the bluffs along the American Bottom lowlands. This stone bridge
route is especially nice during autumn. |
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Hawn
State Park
12096 Park Drive
Ste. Genevieve County, MO
573-883-3603 |
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With
pine and oak forests, sandstone bluffs and canyons, and clear
sand-bottom streams, this nearly 5,000 acre park is considered on of the
most scenic in Missouri. The park has many nature trails, picnic
areas and a campground for those who wish to get out and enjoy
nature. |
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Pickle
Springs
Natural Area
Dorlac Road
Ste. Genevieve County, MO |
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Designated
a National Natural Landmark, this area has geologic features and
plants that occur in few other places which are punctuated by
stands of oaks, maples, and hickories. |
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Route du Vin
Ste. Genevieve County, MO |
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Autumn is a great time to travel the Route du Vin,
an easy hour long loop through the forested hills and farmland of Ste.
Genevieve County that features 5 wineries. |
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Perry County, MO |
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Perry County is a county that typifies rural Missouri. The history of
early Missouri can be explored at such locations as the Lutheran
Heritage Center, St. Mary's of the Barrens, and the Saxon Lutheran
Memorial. Tower Rock Conservation Area provides a viewing platform that
offers a scenic view of Tower Rock, a small landmark limestone noted by
early explorers such as Marquette and Joliet and the Corps of Discovery.
A day trip through Perry County in autumn will reward visitors with
plenty of splashes of color amidst the rolling farmland. |
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Shawnee Hills National Forest |
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The
Shawnee Hills National Forest in Southern Illinois provides some of the best autumn color in
the Middle Mississippi River Valley. The rolling forested hills and
river bluffs of this Ozark country provide a variety of scenery and fall
color opportunities. The area is home to the popular Shawnee Hills Wine
Trail where visitors can relax in natural settings while sampling great
domestic wines. The region also holds a number of festivals during the
season. The best colors occur in late October but the leaves start to
turn in September. Learn more about
Jackson, Union and Alexander Counties. |
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Bald Knob Mountain
3630 Bald Knob Cross Road
Alto Pass, IL
618-893-2344 |
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Bald
Knob Mountain is the highest point in Southern Illinois and offers
wonderful views, particularly in the fall. This site is the location of
the Bald Knob Cross of Peace which provides a visitors center and picnic
areas. |
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The lakes of Union and Jackson Counties |
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The
Illinois counties of Union and Jackson are blessed with three lakes that
are publicly maintained. Hiking, nature watching, picnicking, horseback
riding, fishing, and camping opportunities can be found at
Lake Murphysboro State Park,
Lake Kinkaid,
Johnson Creek Recreational Area,
and Cedar Lake. All three
provide excellent opportunities to experience the regions fall colors. |
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Trail of Tears State Park
429
Moccasin Springs
Jackson, MO
573-290-5268 |
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Mature forests cover much of this 3,415-acre park providing visitors
with great views of autumn colors. The park offers camping, fishing,
swimming, hiking, backpacking, primitive camping and equestrian
pursuits. A platform overlooking the Mississippi River gives stunning
views of the river and the surrounding countryside. |
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Columbus-Belmont State Park
350 Park Road
Columbus, KY
270-677-2327 |
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Columbus-Belmont State Park is located on the site of a Confederate
fortification built during the Civil War to prevent Union forces from
using the Mississippi River. This 156-acre tree covered park includes a
Civil War Museum, a river cliff campground, and hiking trails. The park
also offers a great view from the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi
just south of its confluence with the Ohio River. |
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