Ste. Genevieve County: Sandstone and French Heritage

In western Ste. Genevieve County, Hawn State Park covers 4,956 acres. Rounded sandstone knobs, canyon-lined valleys, and vertical cliffs above clear, sandy-bottomed streams give the park its distinctive geological character. Travelers who put nature and scenery at the center of their trip will find other varied settings throughout the county—from narrow sandstone gorges to overlooks above river floodplains.

Sandstone Landscapes and Hiking Trails

At Pickle Springs Natural Area, notable formations include a double arch, slot canyons, hoodoos, and sandstone talus slopes. A spring emerging from the sandstone is also part of the landscape. The area is home to more than 250 species of vascular plants, including glacial relict species. The two-mile Trail Through Time passes through geological formations carved into the sandstone. Pickle Springs is a natural area without visitor services, so plan your visit accordingly.

Hickory Canyons Natural Area covers 1,094 acres in Ste. Genevieve County. It is owned by the L-A-D Foundation and managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Box canyons, sandstone cliffs, and unique plant communities characterize the area. Two trails offer different lengths and levels of difficulty: A 0.25-mile trail leads from the parking lot to a sheer-walled box canyon. The more challenging, one-mile trail winds through the sandstone forest and crosses a scenic stream at several points.

Hawn State Park also combines distinctive sandstone formations with clear streams. Overnight accommodations in the park include basic campsites, electric campsites, and backpacking campsites. Check reservation details before your trip.

Mississippi Views and Seasonal Wildlife Watching

The 1,740-acre Magnolia Hollow Conservation Area sits above the Mississippi River and offers panoramic views of its floodplains. Wooded trails and accessible overlooks add to the nature experience. Check the accessibility of the overlooks before your trip. In winter, bald eagles fly past the area's limestone cliffs, but sightings are not guaranteed.

French Heritage and Living History

Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park and its partners preserve the largest collection of French colonial vertical log houses in the United States. Visitor sites in the park include the Bauvais-Amoureux House, built in 1792 and also known as the Jean Baptiste Ste. Gemme Bauvais House or Amoureux House; the Jean Baptiste Vallé House, built in 1794, with its gardens; and the 1790 Green Tree Tavern. Access depends on park programs and conditions. Rangers lead programs inside the historic houses, subject to staffing, weather, and schedules.

The Beauvais-Linden Living History House offers costumed demonstrations of everyday life in earlier times. They take place on Saturdays from late March through early November. Program dates and operating hours may change; check the schedule before your visit. The Centre for French Colonial Life offers tickets for guided tours of the Bolduc and LeMeilleur Houses. Tour times and reservations may change. Another cultural stop is the Sainte Genevieve Museum Learning Center, Missouri's official dinosaur destination.

Ferry Service, Wine, and Local Offerings

The Ste. Genevieve–Modoc Ferry connects Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, with Modoc, Illinois. It is the official crossing for cyclists on the Great River Road or the Mississippi River Bicycle Trail. If you plan to include the crossing in your trip, check the schedule in advance.

High above Saline Creek Valley in the western part of the county, Charleville Vineyard, Winery & Microbrewery has a self-serve wall with 24 taps; check before your visit to see if this offering is available. Its offerings include handcrafted wines and beers, and the product selection may change. The Route du Vin Wine Trail comprises vineyards and wineries and invites visitors to travel from vineyard to winery. Ste. Genevieve County's appeal thus ranges from sandstone formations and river scenery to French history and wine traditions.

Discover more destinations: Ste. Genevieve, St Mary, Bloomsdale, Osage County, Webster County, Iron County, Marion County, Washington County.

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