Missouri is a state brimming with natural beauty, and St. Louis, as its gateway city, offers a perfect starting point for RVers looking to explore stunning scenic routes and drives. Whether you’re drawn to rolling hills, lush forests, or meandering rivers, Missouri’s landscapes have something to offer every RV enthusiast. In this article, we’ll take you on a journey through some of the best scenic routes and drives for RVers in St. Louis and Missouri.
Historic Route 66:
Starting Point: St. Louis
Highlights: Route 66 is iconic, and you can begin your journey in St. Louis, the eastern terminus of the “Main Street of America.” As you travel west, you’ll pass through charming towns, see quirky roadside attractions, and experience a slice of American nostalgia. Notable stops include Meramec Caverns, the Chain of Rocks Bridge, and the Route 66 State Park.
Scenic Beauty: The drive is a mixture of urban landscapes in St. Louis and vast stretches of open road as you move westward.
Great River Road:
Starting Point: Alton, Illinois (across the river from St. Louis)
Highlights: The Great River Road National Scenic Byway follows the course of the Mississippi River through ten states. Start your journey in Alton, Illinois, and head north through Missouri. You’ll pass through picturesque river towns like Grafton and Elsah, with stunning river views, limestone bluffs, and historic sites along the way.
Scenic Beauty: The road offers mesmerizing river vistas and abundant wildlife, making it a perfect route for nature lovers.
Ozark National Scenic Riverways:
Starting Point: Eminence, Missouri
Highlights: Ozark National Scenic Riverways is home to the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, making it a mecca for floating, fishing, and camping. Begin your drive in Eminence, then follow Highway 19, which offers picturesque views of the river, lush forests, and dramatic rock formations.
Scenic Beauty: The winding rivers and rugged Ozark landscapes make this a haven for RVers seeking natural beauty.
Highway 94 Wine Trail:
Starting Point: St. Charles
Highlights: The Highway 94 Wine Trail winds through Missouri wine country, known for its charming vineyards and wineries. Start in St. Charles and head west along the Missouri River. You’ll pass through picturesque towns like Augusta and Hermann, with opportunities for wine tasting and exploration.
Scenic Beauty: Rolling hills covered in vineyards, historic towns, and river views create a picturesque setting for this drive.
Meramec State Park Scenic Drive:
Starting Point: Sullivan, Missouri
Highlights: Meramec State Park offers a scenic drive within its boundaries, showcasing the park’s natural beauty. The route takes you through the park’s wooded hills and along the Meramec River. Make sure to stop at Fisher Cave and the visitor center.
Scenic Beauty: The park is known for its limestone bluffs and the peaceful Meramec River, making it an idyllic setting for an RV drive.
Mark Twain National Forest:
Starting Point: Various entry points
Highlights: Mark Twain National Forest covers a significant portion of southern Missouri. RVers can explore its numerous trails and forest roads, each offering a unique experience. Some highlights include the Hercules Glades Wilderness, the Eleven Point National Scenic River, and Bell Mountain Wilderness.
Scenic Beauty: The forest features diverse landscapes, from pine-studded hills to clear, flowing rivers.
Katy Trail State Park:
Starting Point: St. Charles, Missouri
Highlights: Katy Trail State Park is the longest rails-to-trails project in the United States, stretching for 240 miles. The route follows the Missouri River and passes through serene countryside, charming towns, and numerous trailheads for hiking and biking.
Scenic Beauty: The trail offers peaceful, pastoral scenery with river views and historic railway features.
Route N to Ste. Genevieve:
Starting Point: Perryville, Missouri
Highlights: Route N takes you through the hilly terrain of southeast Missouri and leads to the historic town of Ste. Genevieve. This French colonial town boasts well-preserved 18th-century architecture, wineries, and charming streets.
Scenic Beauty: Rolling hills, vineyards, and the Mississippi River create a scenic drive to Ste. Genevieve.
Glade Top Trail:
Starting Point: Ava, Missouri
Highlights: The Glade Top Trail in the Mark Twain National Forest is a designated scenic byway. It offers stunning views from the Ozark Plateau, with expansive vistas, glades, and dense woodlands. This drive provides a sense of remote wilderness.
Scenic Beauty: The breathtaking overlooks provide panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness.
Big Spring Scenic Backway:
Starting Point: Van Buren, Missouri
Highlights: The Big Spring Scenic Backway takes you to Big Spring, one of the largest springs in the United States. The route winds through the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, showcasing the spring, lush forests, and the Current River.
Scenic Beauty: The aquamarine waters of Big Spring and the rugged river landscapes make this drive a visual delight.
St. Louis County Parks:
Starting Point: Various parks within St. Louis County
Highlights: St. Louis County offers a network of parks with scenic drives, picnic areas, and hiking trails. Parks like Castlewood State Park and Babler State Park provide peaceful natural escapes close to the city.
Scenic Beauty: These parks offer an oasis of greenery amid the urban landscape.
Table Rock Lake:
Starting Point: Branson, Missouri
Highlights: Table Rock Lake is a picturesque reservoir located in the Ozark Mountains. Drive around the lake’s scenic loop, stop at viewpoints, and enjoy water-based activities like boating and fishing.
Scenic Beauty: The clear waters of Table Rock Lake are surrounded by forested hills, creating a serene backdrop.
When embarking on these scenic drives, always ensure that your RV is in good condition, and plan your route with stops for food, rest, and exploration. Additionally, be aware of specific road conditions and seasonal factors that may affect your journey. Missouri’s diverse landscapes offer RVers an array of natural beauty and unique experiences, making it an ideal destination for those seeking memorable road trips and scenic drives.