Six Ways Arcadia Valley Will Kick Your Butt (in a Good Way)

From championship whitewater to top-tier climbing, Missouri’s Arcadia Valley serves up small-town charm with a side of serious adventure.

Here are six ways to dive in…

 

1. TAKE A HIKE
Don’t let the name deceive you. Arcadia Valley — located in the heart of the St. Francois Mountains, about 80 miles south of St. Louis — is home to some of the best hiking trails Missouri has to offer.

The Mina Sauk Falls Trail in Taum Sauk State Park leads hikers to Missouri’s tallest peak, Taum Sauk Mountain (1,772 feet), and Missouri’s tallest waterfall, Mina Sauk Falls (132 feet), all within a moderate three-mile loop. More great day-hikes in the region include Pickle Springs Natural Area, Shut-Ins Trail at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, Braille Trail at Elephant Rocks State Park, and the Devil’s Honeycomb in Hughes Mountain Natural Area.

 

2. PADDLE LIKE A PRO
Ready to up your downriver game? Head to Millstream Gardens Conservation Area along the St. Francois River — home of the Missouri Whitewater Championships — where (depending on the water levels) you can sometimes find Class II and Class III rapids.

If a casual float is more your vibe, seek out one of the many outfitters that operate along the Black River and offer rentals and shuttle service. For boat-free water activities, spend a day on the sand at Chapel Hill Beach on Council Bluff Lake or splash around “nature’s water park” at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park.

 

3. GRIP IT AND RIP IT
If you’re looking to catch some rare air on gnarly trails, then Shepherd Mountain Bike Park on the south side of Ironton will get your adrenaline pumping.

Featuring 15 trails (with more in development), Shepherd Mountain offers some of the region’s steepest and most technical rides. Piece of advice: Book your shuttle tickets online in advance for easy pickup at the Wheel House. Bonus: The Wheel House has showers and a bike wash station to get your body and bike all nice and clean for the drive home.

 

4. ROCK OUT
Pulling plastic in the gym is fine, but it’s also good to get out on some real rock. With 3,615 feet of climbable dolomite limestone bluff line, Robinson Bluff is eastern Missouri’s backyard crag.

A sport climber’s paradise, the bluff features 300+ total climbs — including boulders, sport, and trad — with grades ranging from 5.3 to 5.13 (sport) and V0 to V5 (boulder). Just be sure to save some strength for the hardest climb of the day, the 200-foot wooden staircase back to the parking lot!

 

5. HIT THE LINKS (SORT OF)
Want to add some variety to your nature walk? Check out the free Arcadia Valley Disc Golf Course behind the Career Tech School in Ironton.

Established in 2020 by renowned Midwest course designer David McCormack of Gateway Disc Sports in Maryland Heights, this nine-hole course offers two tee boxes per hole in a beautiful setting, letting you stretch those nine holes into 18 after the first round.

 

6. UNWIND
You’ll need to refuel after all your outdoor adventures, so head to the Arcadia Valley Farmer’s Market, which takes place Friday afternoons (2-7 p.m.) and Saturday mornings (7 a.m.-noon) at the Iron County Courthouse courtyard. Pick up some local produce, dig into baked items, and shop crafts from local artists.

If it’s a Friday night, stick around for Pickin’ on the Square: live musicians playing bluegrass, country, and more. (And by more, we mean more bluegrass and country.)

Author: Michael Shepherd Jordan is a frequent contributor to Terrain.

Top image: The Devil’s Honeycomb in Hughes Mountain Natural Area. (Michael Shepherd Jordan)