Perry County: Nature, History and Heritage

Perry County brings together karst formations, landscapes along the Mississippi and traces of religious and local history. Nature trails, memorials, churches and self-guided drives offer different ways to explore the region. Each of the following places and experiences has its own focus.

Landscapes, River and Trails

Ball Mill Resurgence is a karst formation considered one of the best examples of a resurgence in Missouri. A ¾-mile loop trail passes by it. During heavy rain, water can pool in the sinkhole and overflow into nearby Blue Spring Branch. The formation and the potential flooding show two sides of the same landscape: karst and how it behaves during heavy rain.

Tower Rock is an erosional remnant of limestone formed by changes in the Mississippi River’s course. It rises about 60 feet above the average river level. The rock was first described in writing by Father Jacques Marquette in 1673. The site thus combines geological history with an early written account.

Steep, wooded hills and rocky bluffs shape the terrain at Seventy-Six Conservation Area, along with nearly two miles of Mississippi River shoreline. A river trail leads to dikes that can be used for fishing. Note the bridge condition when planning your visit: if the river level at the Chester gauge reaches 32.5, the bridge to the area becomes impassable. Check conditions before you go.

Perry County Community Lake is a 103-acre reservoir that opened for fishing in 1971. Two boat ramps and a fishing access point for shore anglers add to the options on the water. The lake also has an accessible fishing pier and accessible restrooms nearby. These details help you assess the lake as a destination for fishing from a boat or from shore.

Perryville’s park trails offer another way to spend time outdoors: they are fully paved, open to cyclists, runners and walkers, and closed to motorized vehicles. Check local conditions before your visit.

History, Faith and Regional Traditions

The grounds of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal include a historic grotto, the Marian Meditation Walk and Bishop Rosati’s Log Cabin. Saint Mary’s of the Barrens Seminary and Church was founded by the Vincentian Fathers in 1818; the National Shrine was added to the church in 1929. Visitors are always welcome at the National Shrine. The church, shrine and grounds are accessible.

The Perry County Museum displays, among other things, arrowheads, quilts, tools, religious artifacts, business advertisements and school memorabilia. Missouri’s National Veterans Memorial focuses on military history, honors all who have served, explains the cost of freedom, and provides a place for healing and reflection. The two attractions have different focuses: regional everyday and religious history on the one hand, and military remembrance on the other.

The Saxon Lutheran Memorial tells the story of nearly 700 German Lutherans who immigrated in 1839 and settled in what is now Frohna. The focus here is on a specific migration story and the place where the immigrants settled.

The Perry County Barn Quilt Trail is a self-guided driving tour of traditional and original barn quilt patterns. The seasonal Christmas Church Tour is a free, self-guided driving tour of dozens of churches that are several hundred years old. Together, the two routes showcase different expressions of regional culture: quilt patterns on barns and historic churches.

Food and craft traditions also feature in described group tours. A Perry County itinerary includes a behind-the-scenes look at Stonie’s Sausage Shop. One group tour includes a German lunch, during which descendants discuss the foods, recipes and cooking traditions of their grandparents and great-grandparents and demonstrate cooked cheese on homemade bread. Check availability in advance when planning group visits.

The Mississippi River Hills Wine Trail runs south from the center of Perry County through northern Cape Girardeau County and includes Hemman Winery. A Perry County itinerary mentions wine tasting, live music and dinner there; check before your trip to see if these activities are currently offered.

Discover more destinations: Perryville, Barton County, Randolph, Monroe County, Iron County, Howell County, Douglas, Greene.

For the broader travel overview: Missouri.