Discover Saline County: Nature, Water and History
Accommodation in Saline County
Saline County combines expansive natural areas with aquatic landscapes and places where regional history can be experienced firsthand. Around lakes, rivers, wetlands and former settlement sites, you can shape your trip in many different ways: through wildlife observation, a day of hiking, an excursion to historic sites or a cultural program in Marshall and Arrow Rock.
Nature Among Lakes, Rivers and Wetlands
One notable natural area is the Blind Pony Lake Conservation Area. This versatile recreation area surrounds the 195-acre Blind Pony Lake. From Sweet Springs on I-70, you can reach the area via Highway 127 and then Route ZZ. For a summer visit, the fish hatchery at the lake is particularly interesting: free guided tours take place there every Tuesday at 10 a.m. from June through August.
Several conservation areas showcase different landscapes. The Marshall Junction Conservation Area encompasses gently rolling uplands, former fields, cropland, wooded areas, more rugged terrain and deep drainage channels. The Blackwater River runs for about 1.25 miles along its northwestern boundary. In the Grand Pass Conservation Area, the area borders the Missouri River for six miles. The wetlands there are managed for migratory birds as well as resident and breeding wetland wildlife.
Hiking Trails, Fishing Lakes and Seasonal Access
Unit 1 of the Ralph and Martha Perry Memorial Conservation Area lies in southwestern Saline County. A trail with two loops runs through different habitats and provides access to several fishing lakes. Unit 1 also offers seasonal access to the Blackwater River. This combination is well suited to a trip itinerary in which you can choose between a trail through varied landscapes and time by the water, without having to fit both experiences into a single day.
The 300-acre Oumessourit Natural Area in Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park also demonstrates the region's diversity. It includes a freshwater wetland, marshes, and bottomland and upland forests. Lake Wooldridge, an 18-acre fishing lake, is located in the same state park. At Blue Lick Conservation Area, you will find several saline springs and a small wetland. There, the responsible agency allows native shoreline and wetland plants to become established in order to restore the vegetation.
History in the Landscape and Communities
Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park preserves the remains of a Missouria village at the Great Bend of the Missouri River. Old Fort and several burial mounds are also located within the park. Those who want to combine nature and history will therefore find several points of interest within the same park landscape. Pennytown Freewill Baptist Church was first built in 1926 and is now the last surviving building on the 64 acres once known as Pennytown. Pennytown was a free African American settlement of about forty families on this land.
The Arrow Rock State Historic Site and the Sappington African American Cemetery State Historic Site offer additional historical perspectives. The Arrow Rock visitor center presents the history of Arrow Rock and central Missouri, historically known as Boone's Lick Country. Signs at Sappington African American Cemetery provide information about the sacrifice and resilience of the people who shaped the history of this place and Missouri. In local history, the Marshall Junction Conservation Area is also associated with an old stone dam on the Blackwater River that created a swimming and fishing area.
Culture and Regional Experiences
In Marshall, the Morris Gallery of Contemporary Art on the Valley campus displays current works of art and design to support the education of students, faculty and the general public. The Marshall Municipal Band was officially founded in 1921 and has performed continuously ever since. A special annual event is the Missouri State Cornhusking Competition. Visitors can take part themselves or watch others compete. The visitor center of the Missouri River Bird Observatory is located at 406 Main St. in Arrow Rock.
The Right Accommodation for Your Travel Plans
When looking for a vacation rental in Saline County, it is worth deciding on the focus of your trip first. For days in nature, the conservation areas, lakes, riverbanks and wetlands take center stage. If you prefer historic places and exhibitions, the state historic sites, Pennytown, Arrow Rock and Marshall offer a different focus. This allows you to choose your accommodation according to the rhythm you want: with plenty of nature, with cultural discoveries or with a mix of both. You can also include Sweet Springs in your regional search.
For the overarching travel overview: Missouri.
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