Discover Atchison: Prairies, River Views and History

Explore Atchison through its prairie areas, views of the Missouri River and local history. Its nature destinations offer a variety of landscapes and activities, from species-rich prairie and river access to ridges with expansive views. In Rock Port, a local theater, a welcome center and a seasonal farmers market offer additional ways to get your bearings during your stay.

Prairie, Loess Hills and Expansive Views

Brickyard Hill Loess Mound is a natural area within Brickyard Hill Conservation Area. Its views extend across the Missouri River floodplain and west to Nebraska. The mound is also home to plants and animals characteristic of the Great Plains in central Nebraska and Kansas. At Brickyard Hill Conservation Area, you can fish for bass, bluegill and channel catfish at Charity Lake.

A different landscape defines Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area: rugged loess hills on the edge of the Missouri River floodplain. The ridges offer expansive views of the valley; on clear days, you can see Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas. The area also has a historic connection: Lewis and Clark camped nearby during their journey on the Missouri River.

Tarkio Prairie Conservation Area contains one of the few known high-quality prairies remaining in the glaciated plains of northern Missouri. Its diverse prairie flora grows on loess and glacial till soils. Tarkio Prairie Natural Area is home to more than 100 native plant species.

Natural Areas and Water Access

A range of outdoor activities is open to the public at Tarkio Prairie Conservation Area, provided they are compatible with resource management. Hunting and fishing are allowed at Tarkio Prairie Natural Area. At Brickyard Hill Conservation Area, you can fish for bass, bluegill and channel catfish at Charity Lake. These differences can help you choose a natural area suited to the activities that interest you.

Nishnabotna Conservation Area consists of two separate tracts. Its northern tract has a special access requirement: it can be reached only via the Missouri River and the Nishnabotna River. There is also a specific difference between the named river accesses: Langdon Bend Access provides access to the Missouri River; Watson Access provides access to the Nishnabotna River and the Missouri River. Keep this information in mind when planning to access either river.

Conservation projects also shape these areas. A mitigation project at Nishnabotna Conservation Area was designed to improve fish and wildlife habitat along the Missouri River. Deroin Bend Conservation Area preserves unique wetland and fishery habitats. Restoration of 3.3 miles of an old channel of the Missouri River is also planned there.

Rock Port: Theater and Visitor Information

Liberty Theatre is located upstairs in the Atchison County Memorial Building at 417 South Main Street in Rock Port. It offers local directors and actors a stage to hone their craft. The building was constructed as a memorial to World War I. Between 1919 and 1921, $50,000 was pledged for it across the county.

For practical visitor information, the Rock Port Official Missouri Welcome Center offers tourism brochures, maps and information about highways. It provides materials to help you plan the next leg of your trip. The seasonal Rock Port MO Farmers Market features locally grown produce, locally made crafts and baked goods. Its hours are seasonal and may vary; check the current hours before your visit.

History Around Deroin Bend

Deroin Bend is named after Joseph Deroin. He settled nearby in the 1840s and established the St. Deroin trading post on the riverbank. The area's history thus links a specific person and trading post to the river landscape. For nature enthusiasts, Deroin Bend Conservation Area offers a different focus: its preserved wetland and fishery habitats. Restoration of an old river channel is a planned project, not a change that has already been completed.

Discover more destinations: Rock Port, Tarkio, Cooper, Saline County, Franklin County, Audrain, Linn County, Wright County.

For the main travel overview: Missouri.