If I were a park, I would be...
by - Written: Dec 15 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Designed for multiple-use with interesting features
Cons: The future of the resources does not look too good.
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| Thawtful's Full Review: Rock Bridge Memorial State Park |
Missouri has got it together when it comes to state parks. Rock Bridge State Park is a prime example. It has a little for every type of park user. When conditions are right this park hosts extensive mountain biking areas that are challenging. There is a large picnic area for those needing a table and a grille. Nature study and hiking have seemingly endless possibilities with the 14 miles of trails in the park and the Gans Creek Wild Area next door. There is even a very large cave for spelunkers. What makes this park great is these areas are mostly sectioned off from one another. If you are hiking you shouldn't have to worry about being run over by a biker or stepping on a picnicker.
When I lived near this area, I visited this park weekly. It has a variety of habitats including tallgrass prairie, Oak-Hickory forests, karst (sinkholes, indicative of caves) topography, and riparian woodlands. The wildlife is abundant and the birding is incredible in spring and fall. Watch out for snakes and seed ticks. My dog was bitten by a copperhead while walking one time. The dog is fine, but I almost had a heart attack.
The only negative aspect to this park is its resource management approach. It appears that there is little being done to protect the resources found here. The prairies are being taken over by Eastern Red Cedar. The woodlands seem to be grazed heavily by deer so that only Hackberries seem to be maturing, instead of oaks and hickories.
Free of charge; no sticker required. From the intersection of Interstate 70 and Highway 63, go south seven miles until you find Hwy 163 and turn west. Proceed for another 3 miles until you reach Peirpont, Missouri (identified only by the Peirpont Store on the corner). At this point you are in the state park. Go north for a mile to see the rock bridge and the tallgrass prairie. There are several access points to the trails, so a map would certainly be beneficial. There are no tours to the cave unless you are with a ranger. This isn't Carlsbad Caverns. Missouri caves are very different and this cave holds several rare species that need protection.
Recommended:
Yes
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