Cooper: River Landscapes, Trails and History

The Lamine River shows Cooper from a landscape-rich perspective: As a transitional river, it combines features of a prairie or farmland river with those of an Ozark river. A gravelly bed and pool-and-riffle structures are part of its character. Outings on the water also offer a range of experiences, from quiet wildlife observation to activities on the river.

Rivers, Nature and Trails

The Lamine River Conservation Area is located in Cooper and Morgan counties, east of Otterville. Its rivers, streams and ponds offer opportunities for bank fishing, wildlife watching, wade fishing, fishing from a drift boat and canoeing. This provides a range of experiences, from activities along the shore to those on the water. The conservation area also offers seasonal opportunities to watch migrating birds.

A different landscape awaits you at Prairie Home Conservation Area in eastern Cooper County. There, fallow fields, small agricultural fields, grassland and woodland alternate. Those who want to experience nature beyond a single body of water will find a distinctive perspective on the region’s varied land types here. Together with birdwatching along the Lamine River, these offer two different nature themes: changing landscapes on the one hand and seasonal bird migration on the other.

Katy Trail State Park also appeals to a range of interests. It offers recreational opportunities for cyclists, walkers, horseback riders, nature lovers and history enthusiasts. The section between Cooper County and St. Charles County is designated as an official section of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. This brings outdoor activity and a historical connection together in one of the trails mentioned, without requiring any particular way of exploring it.

History and Culture in Boonville

Thespian Hall dates back to 1838 and is considered the oldest theater still in use west of the Allegheny Mountains. It is also the venue for the Missouri River Festival of the Arts, considered the oldest performing arts festival in the state of Missouri. The festival also includes a visual arts exhibition at the Historic Hain House. Since the festival program may change, check the current dates before your trip.

The River, Rails & Trails Museum in Boonville’s Depot District highlights the city’s transportation history. Among its exhibits is a half-scale replica of a Lewis and Clark keelboat. The museum is free and family-friendly. Its focus on transportation history and the model offer two different points of interest: the development of transportation routes and a tangible example of a historic watercraft.

Other sites tell of different chapters of the past. The Old Cooper County Jail was built in 1846 and operated until 1978. The Cooper County Hanging Barn was the site of the last public execution in the state of Missouri in 1930. These two facts represent different historical themes: the use of a jail for more than a century and a single event in the state’s history.

Smaller signs scattered across the landscape also shape the picture: Barns in Cooper County feature 20 hand-painted barn quilts. In Boonville, several historic markers point to landmarks associated with the Civil War, the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the Santa Fe Trail. For trip planning, nature experiences, trails and cultural history can therefore be considered as distinct areas of interest rather than combined into a single itinerary.

In Boonville, you can also walk across the KATY Bridge. It was originally part of the MKT railroad. The present-day footpath and its former railroad function connect two periods of use at this structure, while the Katy Trail and the historic markers each offer their own themes to explore.

Explore more destinations: Boonville, Blackwater, Benton County, Cedar, Vernon County, Lafayette, Webster County, Dunklin County.

For the main travel overview: Missouri.