Outdoors

Living in the St. Louis area puts you just a stone’s skip from the natural resources of Illinois and Missouri, including the Ozark Mountains and more.

In addition to all the activities you can enjoy in Illinois and Missouri State Parks — such as camping, hiking, fishing, canoeing, spelunking, swimming, picnicking, equestrian and bicycle riding — the St. Louis area is also surrounded by thousands of acres of private land ideal for the same activities. As a result, it’s no surprise that many St. Louisans frequent weekend getaways outside of the metropolitan area.

Numerous lakes, rivers and streams provide for all varieties of water recreation. Of particular note are the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, established by Congress in 1964 to protect 134 miles of the spring-fed Current and Jacks Fork Rivers in the Ozark Highlands of Southeastern Missouri. Lake of the Ozarks, also in Missouri, is the state’s largest body of water, covering some 55,000 acres. Noted for its superb fishing, boating, golf courses and lively social scene, the Lake is a popular destination for people from all over the country.

Illinois’ Rend Lake, just a short drive from St. Louis, is an 18,000 acre reservoir built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that today is one of Southern Illinois’ vacation hotspots due to its attractive marinas, boating, camping, trails, golf, fishing and hunting.

And speaking of hunting, the region surrounding the St. Louis metropolitan area is also home to an abundant supply of wild game — such as deer, turkey, quail, dove, rabbit and pheasant — which can be hunted in both states with the appropriate licenses during the applicable seasons.

To learn more about all the natural resources and related recreation activities available in Missouri and Illinois, visit the following Web sites:

RELATED LINKS  Illinois Department of Natural Resources  Missouri Department of Natural Resources  Missouri Department of Conservation