Mississippi County: Nature, River Landscapes and History
Accommodation in Mississippi County
Mississippi County combines impressive river landscapes with traces of different eras and unusual natural experiences.
Wetlands, riverbanks and rare species
A concrete way to begin exploring the landscape is at Big Oak Tree Natural Area. There, a 1.25-mile Boardwalk Trail leads into the swamp. The route provides a clear framework for planning your day and focuses attention on a landscape best discovered slowly and attentively.
Seven Island Conservation Area covers 1,375 acres. The area includes woodlands, former river channels and small open spaces; it also has 3.5 miles of shoreline along the Mississippi. The swamp rabbit and Mississippi kite, two rare species, can be found here. This combination makes the site particularly interesting for travelers who want to combine landscape and wildlife observation.
Robert G. Delaney Lake Conservation Area offers several ways to experience the natural surroundings: The public can fish, watch birds and take photographs there. Numerous large native bald cypress trees line the area. Depending on the kind of day you want to spend, you can therefore choose between quiet observation, time by the water and photographic subjects without having to combine these interests into a single visit itinerary.
Archaeology and Historic Sites
Towosahgy State Historic Site reaches far back into the history of the Mississippi cultures. Between 1000 and 1400 AD, it was a fortified village and a civic-ceremonial center in southern Missouri. Today, visitors can see archaeological mounds there. Belmont is also a historic site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. An information panel there explains the geography of the Trail of Tears.
Charleston also offers many historical points of interest: The city has more than 200 historic homes. The Victorian Moore House dates from around 1889 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Visitors Center in Charleston features a black granite map, flags and large murals based on the journal entries of Meriwether Lewis.
River Crossings and Regional Experiences
At the Lewis-and-Clark confluence in Mississippi County, visitors can view the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers from the Missouri side. Another special experience is the Dorena-Hickman Toll Ferry, which crosses the Mississippi between Missouri and Kentucky. It is a historic river ferry and adds a direct connection with the river to the journey. Bird's Blue Hole also tells a story about the power of the river: It was created when engineers breached a levee during the 1927 flood to protect Bird's Point.
The annual East Prairies Tour de Corn is ideal for active days with a distinctly local character. The bike tour began nearly two decades ago and includes stops featuring sweet corn. The Dogwood-Azalea Festival includes a craft fair, a Candlelight Walk and a 6-mile Dogwood-Azalea Trail. This allows nature, cycling, crafts and local traditions to be considered as different travel interests.
Choosing the Right Vacation Rental
When looking for a vacation rental, it is worth deciding on your main focus first: nature observation and riverbanks, historic sites, or a trip centered on cycling and festivals. The experiences mentioned differ considerably in character. Choose your accommodation based on the itinerary you actually want to follow, and check the necessary travel time separately for each excursion.
As an additional destination, you can discover Pinhook. This allows you to combine your search for suitable accommodation with additional regional impressions without limiting your stay to a single theme.
For the broader travel overview: Missouri.
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