What would you call the most mountainous/scenic part of the MO Ozarks? (St. Louis: home, park)

[TodGre]

What would you call the most mountainous/scenic part of the MO Ozarks? What general areas, etc.

[chicagobear]

The area around Taum Sauk, Elephant Rocks, and Johnson's Shut-Ins in the St. Francois Mountains.

[TodGre]

Originally Posted by chicagobear

The area around Taum Sauk, Elephant Rocks, and Johnson's Shut-Ins in the St. Francois Mountains.

Thanks, I will have to go check it out sometime! :-)

[STLCityMike]

Well - I think the scenic parts start on the southwest side of St. Louis MO. You can traverse them either on 44 south west, or also in US 67 south the Farmington.

The St. Francois mountains are along US 67, and have the highest peak in the state (Taum Sauk). There are some pretty good views from the driver up to the top. The actual highest point is a rock in the woods. But there is an overlook, and then you cal also scale up the tower for park ranger.

I think the term Ozarks tends to be more associated with in Mid / South Missouri, but these are indeed part of the official Ozark Plateau.

Mark Twain National Forest also has some great views and is home to rivers and float trips.

Finally, just visiting Branson you get some beautiful views at some overlooks.

The Boston Mountains, in NW Arkansas, are a little higher in elevation. Eureka Springs is a great place to visit.

Hope this helps.

[Arrby]

To expand just a bit, I think the area bounded by I-44 to the north, US 63 to the west, US 160 to the south, and US 67 to the east contains the most scenic parts. Much of this is the St. Francis mountains, but I believe the southern western parts of this region is more strictly the Ozarks. Pick up a rock. If it is granite it is part of the St. Francis mountains, if it is limestone it is the Ozarks.

To me (opinion alert) the most scenic areas of the Ozarks are Branson south to across the Buffalo River 20 miles or so, east of Ark. 23 to roughly US 65. This area just barely reaches into Missouri, however.

[RisingAurvandil]

For certain, the area near Ironton, also called Arcadia Valley. It has Taum Sauk Mountain, Johnson Shut-Ins, and a plethora of other public lands.

For second place, I would mention Piedmont/Sam A Baker, or the Branson area.

I would also mention the Eminence area as one of the most isolated, pristine areas of the Ozarks. So many stars are visible at night. It really has that "deep in the forest" feel.

[MUTGR]

Originally Posted by chicagobear

The area around Taum Sauk, Elephant Rocks, and Johnson's Shut-Ins in the St. Francois Mountains.

Yes, and down around the current river. My personal opinion.

[elvira310]

The highest elevation in MO is 1772 feet (Taum Sauk) which isn't very high at all. They are more like high hills. But can be very pretty.

[Okey Dokie]

Originally Posted by elvira310

The highest elevation in MO is 1772 feet (Taum Sauk) which isn't very high at all. They are more like high hills. But can be very pretty.

In the Midwest you gotta make your own mountains where you can. The highest point in Kansas, Mount Sunflower, is no more than a slight rise in the land.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Sunflower

[SunGrins]

The St. Francois mountains are very old, maybe the oldest in the US, with exposed areas well over 1 billion years old. They are the basement igneous rock under much of the sedimentary Ozarks. These are the prettiest part of the "Ozarks" to my mind and most interesting in a broad sense. The Ozark rivers are gorgeous in their own way. I have great memories of the Big Piney and North Fork river floats.