Wandering Missouri

Onondaga Cave State Park Campground

Located in Leasburg, Missouri, the campground at Onondaga Cave is a decent-sized campground with well-maintained sites and roads. The park staff and hosts do a fantastic job managing the property. In addition to electric, the sites also have water. The facilities were clean and only slightly dated. Again, the roads were in great condition and were perfect for scootering. We camped in site 39 so the kiddos were able to just scooter around the loop and we could see them the whole time. The other nice thing about the site was there was a lot of greenspace behind us. Our girls along with the kiddos camping around us were able to play endless hours of games. Now, if only everyone cared about the park as much as the staff… for this to be one of the most well-kept parks we have visited, it was shameful to see (yes, actually witness) so many pet owners not picking up after their dogs. Not only did we have to be careful where we walked because of dog poop, we had to be watch out for several unleashed dogs and the person that actually walked their dog right through our site with our dogs. Our dogs were on their leads but we had to physically hold them to prevent any interaction. Since this was such a great park otherwise, we hope that this is not the norm. Oh, and, if you forgot something there is a small store inside the Visitor Center.

Campsites

66 reservable (during on-season only) sites including 3 ADA sites
Basic, Electric/Water
Back-in concrete pads
Picnic table and fire pit
Special-Use Area for nonprofit organizations

Amenities

Check-in Station
Water* available at each site (during the on-season)
Showerhouse/Bathhouse**
Vault Toilets
Laundry**
Two Dump Stations
Woodlot/Ice
Vending Machines
Trash/Recycling
Playground
Amphitheater

*During the off-season, water is available at the dump station.

**Only available during the on-season (April through October).

Cell Coverage/Wi-Fi

Currently, we have Cricket Unlimited with Hotspots. We had no service in the campground but there is Wi-Fi at the Visitor Center.

Onondaga Cave State Park

Located just a short drive from Highway 44 in Leasburg, Missouri, Onondaga Cave State Park is best known for its namesake, Onondaga Cave. However, there is so much more to this park than just the cave. In fact, there are two caves within the park with the second one being Cathedral Cave. In addition to the two caves, visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, and floating on the Meramec River. For campers, there is a well-maintained campground perfect for all types of camping with roads suitable for biking/scootering/skating. BUT, in this park you will need to be Bear Aware as there is a bear that lives within the park!

Park Features

Visitor Center
Onondaga Cave
Cathedral Cave
Onondaga Cave Mining
Picnic Sites:
- Large Shelter (campground)
- Small Shelter (by Visitor Center)
Meramec River Access
- Picnic Area
  - Boat Launch
  - Canoe Launch
  - Fishing
- Swimming
Trails:
- Amphitheater Trail: 0.1 mile (Linear), Gravel, Easy
- Blue Heron Trail: 0.5 miles (Linear), Gravel & Paved/Concrete, Moderate
- Deer Run Trail: 2.5 miles (Loop), Gravel/Natural, and Moderate
- Oak Ridge Trail: 3.1 miles (Loop), Natural, Moderate
- Vilander Bluff Trail: 1.3 miles (Loop), Natural, Moderate
Camping:
- 66 reservable (on-season only) campsites (basic and electric/water)
- Special-Use Area

Lake Lincoln

Located at Cuivre River State Park in Troy, Missouri, Lake Lincoln is a 55-acre lake with a boat ramp, large fishing dock, and a LOT of bank. The lake is stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. When we were there, Maury taught us how to fish with cane poles. Something he did often as a kid. It was a success for the girls, not so much for me. But, the best catch of the day went to the water snake…

Fishing:

Everyone over the age of 15 must have a valid Missouri fishing permit and adhere to the state regulations for daily limits.

Boating:

Kayaks, canoes, and boats with electric trolling motors only.

Additional Info:

Park in the boat launch parking area.
There is a vault toilet and porta potty.

Mossy Hill Trail

Located at Cuivre River in Troy, Missouri, the Mossy Hill Trail is great for littles. It is rated as moderate but is more on the easy side. Much like the Hamilton Hollow Trail, there aren’t many views but it is a good opportunity to get the littles used to hiking and exposed to different types of surfaces. There are a few boardwalks and root steps but no serious inclines. We did hike after the prescribed burn and you could see all the way across the road into the other side of the campground. There is also a small creek that runs through a portion of the trail.

Trailhead:

In the campground in the Full Hookup section.

Trail Details:

0.8 mile Loop
Moderate (but, is actually a tad easy)
Natural Surfaces

Additional Details:

Park in the trailhead parking spots in the back of the FHU section of the campground. Since we were camping, we road our bikes over from the electric section.
There are vault toilets on the other side of the FHU section.
There is a playground by the check-in station.

Hamilton Hollow Trail

Located at Cuivre River in Troy, Missouri, the Hamilton Hollow Trail is a short trail that is great for small or beginner hikers. The views aren’t great – lots of old electric poles – but it’s a nice hike. We hiked after a recent prescribed burn and found a deer carcass and turtle shell just off the trail. Towards the end, there is an old water fountain and the backside of a little pond. You can walk down to the pond from the a short gravel access trail that is just off to the left side of the where the trail ends.

Trailhead:

In the Stone Shelter Picnic Area between the shelter and bathrooms.

Trail Details:

0.9 mile “loop”
Moderate
Natural Surfaces

Additional Details:

Park in the Stone Shelter Area.
Bathrooms across from Stone Shelter. During off-season, they usually have porta potties in the parking area.
There is a playground in the picnic area.

Frenchmans Bluff Trail

Located at Cuivre River in Troy, Missouri, the Frenchmans Bluff Trail offers some AMAZING views from the bluffs. To start and up to the bluff, it is a great trail for hiking with littles. The trial is wide and there are no steep drop offs. It has a thick canopy making it shaded and cool. Once you reach the bluff you really need to be careful because the trail runs right along the bluff side with very steep drops. If bluffs make you uncomfortable, you can walk the road along the trail for a ways. We were able to stay on the trail with lots of hand holding and slow walking for the littlest one (3 1/2) and she did fine. Once the trail turns away from the bluff, it does get narrow and pretty overgrown. It doesn’t widen again until you reach the start of the loop. In addition to the amazing views, keep your eyes and ears open for horses because part of the trail is shared with/crosses the equestrian trail. The day we hiked, we saw 7 horses. And, you should probably watch your step… where there are horses, there is also horse poop!

Trailhead:

In the Stone Shelter Picnic Area to the left of the playground.

Trail Details:

1.6 mile Loop
Moderate (but, maybe a tad rugged for littles)
Natural Surfaces

Additional Details:

Park in the Stone Shelter Area.
Bathrooms across from Stone Shelter. During off-season, they usually have porta potties in the parking area.
There is a playground by the trailhead. Our girls always love playing after a good hike.

Cuivre River Visitor Center

Located at Cuivre River State Park in Troy, Missouri, the visitor center has a small exhibit hall with historical displays as well as a animal exhibits. The exhibit hall offers visitors the opportunity to learn how the park came to be and what the land had been previously used for. In addition to the exhibit hall, you can purchase park souvenirs and pick up a few trail maps.

Visitor Center Hours:

On-season: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday-Friday
10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday
11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday

Off-season: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday-Friday Closed Saturday and Sunday

Cuivre River State Park Campground

Located in Wildwood, Missouri, the campground at Cuivre River is a large campground with 3 sections – Basic, Electric, and Full Hook Up. The basic section offers a few platform tent sites with the tents during the on-season. You can still use the platforms during the off-season if you supply your own tent. The sites in the basic and electric sections are definitely more wooded whereas the FHUs have almost no shade. Our favorite is site 15 because it literally backs into the woods. There is only one showerhouse/bathhouse in the campground and it is located between the basic and electric sections. During the off-season, there is only one vault toilet available for the whole campground. The roads are wide and well-maintained making them great for biking/scootering/skating. The check-in station also serves as a small store, and there is a lending library at the showerhouse. The only two “issues” we have encountered during our trips there are 1. Ticks are so bad, and 2. There is a dog from a neighboring house that frequents the park. He is a nice dog (and beautiful) BUT he is a nuisance and the park is having a hard time keeping him out.

Campsites

110 reservable sites including 7 ADA sites (13 of these sites are at the Equestrian Campground)
Basic, Electric, Full Hook Up, and Equestrian
Back-in with gravel pads
Picnic table and fire pit
Special-Use Area for nonprofit organizations
3 Organized Group Camps

Amenities

Check-in Station with small store
Water*
Showerhouse/Bathhouse**
Vault Toilets
Laundry**
Dump Station***
Woodlot/Ice
Trash/Recycling
Playground
Amphitheater

*During the off-season, water is available at sites 66, 68, and 69.

**Only available during the on-season (April through October).

***Dump Station is open for dumping however the water is only available during the on-season.

Cell Coverage/Wi-Fi

Currently, we have Cricket Unlimited with Hotspots. Service in the campground is fairly good.

Cuivre River State Park

Located in Troy, Missouri, Cuivre River is our other go-to park. While it is in the “northern” part of the state, it is like driving through the Ozarks. Also, for being so close to St. Louis, it offers everything for a family to recreate outdoors. Whether it is biking around the campground, swimming at the beach, or casting a line from the dock, there is literally something for everyone. It’s also a great park for families with littles new to or just learning about hiking because there are several short trails for them to wander on.

Park Features

Visitor Center
Lake Lincoln
Picnic Sites:
- Stone Shelter (playground)
- Lakeside Shelter
- Hilltop Shelter
- Camp Cuivre River Dining Hall
Big Sugar Creek Day-Use Area
Trails:
- Big Sugar Creek Trail: 3.7 miles (Loop), Natural, Moderate
- Blackhawk Point Mountain Bike Trail: 5.6 miles (Loop), Gravel/Natural, Rugged
- Blazing Star Trail: 1.7 miles (Loop), Natural, Moderate
- Cuivre River Trail: 13.1 miles (Multi-loop), Natural, Rugged
- Frenchmans Bluff Trail: 1.6 miles (Loop), Natural, Moderate
- Hamilton Hollow Trail: 0.9 miles (Loop), Natural, Moderate
- Lakeside Trail: 3.4 miles (Loop), Natural, Moderate
- Lone Spring Trail: 5.1 miles (Loop), Natural, Moderate
- Mossy Hill Trail: 0.8 miles (Loop), Natural, Moderate
- Old Schoolhouse Trail: 3.8 miles (Loop), Natural, Moderate
- Prairie Trail: 0.3 miles (Loop), Natural, Moderate
- Turkey Hollow Trail: 0.8 miles (Loop), Natural, Moderate
Orienteering Course
Camping:
- 100 year-round reservable campsites (basic, electric, FHU, and Equestrian)
- Special-Use Area
- 3 Organized Group Camps

River Hills Visitor Center

Located at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park in Wildwood, Missouri, the River Hills Visitor Center serves as a retail space for state park merchandise as well as an exhibit hall for those wanting to get a better look at the local landscape and wildlife that inhabits it. The exhibit hall offers visitors the opportunity to have up-close encounters with some of the native creatures (Blue and Tiny, to name a few) and learn about the topography of the park. In addition to the exhibit hall, there is a huge bird watching window and kids area. Not only is the facility great, but so is the staff. They are extremely knowledgeable and offer a ton of programs for the whole family.