Southeast Missouri

Southeast Region of Missouri.

Cities

State of Missouri

• 🌍 Alton
• 🌍 Cape Girardeau
• 🌍 Charleston — Hometown of former Governor Warren E. Hearnes. Visit in the springtime.
• 🌍 New Madrid
• 🌍 Poplar Bluff
• 🌍 Sikeston
• 🌍 Ste. Genevieve
• 🌍 West Plains
• 🌍 Van Buren

Other destinations

• 🌍 Mark Twain National Forest
• 🌍 Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Understand

Get in

Get around

See

• Big Springs Park — on the outskirts of Van Buren, it is one of North America's largest freshwater springs.
• Historic downtowns of Charleston and Cape Girardeau.

Do

Rivers

The Black, Current, North Fork of the White, and their tributaries are a major draw for recreational canoeing and kayaking. There are many outfitters in this region who can help you plan a trip.

State Parks

• 🌍 Elephant Rocks State Park, 118 E Maple St Pilot Knob, MO 63663 (on Highway 21 just north of Ironton), ☎ [phone]. April–October, 8AM-8PM; November–March: 8AM-5PM. Climb around on gigantic reddish granite boulders, or enjoy a picnic and the lovely walking trails (with braile signage) around the park. The monolithic rocks overlook an old quarry and abandoned firehouse. The park is open year-round, but can get crowded on warm weekends. Camping is not allowed. free. 
• 🌍 Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, 148 Taum Sauk Trail Middlebrook, MO 63656 (SOUTH on State Highway N off of Highway 21, north of Ironton), ☎ [phone]. 8AM-6PM Spring and Fall; 8AM-7PM Summer; 8AM-4PM Winter. After being closed in 2009 by a disastrous flood, Johnson Shut-Ins is again open, and has a new boardwalk that overlooks the shut-ins. The shut-ins refer to a natural formation where the East Fork Black River has run over igneous rock and eroded a maze-like series of channels, rivulets, and cascades. It is a sort of natural water park, and many people come to swim and play here during the warm months. Hiking, Camping, and a visitor's center are available in the park. 

Eat

Drink

Stay safe

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