Hiking
Missouri's Hickory Canyons Natural Area has ample parking but don’t expect a big sign to welcome you. There is none. Instead, there are two posts. One says Hickory Canyons and the other lists the length of the trail.
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Hickory Canyons Trail Marker
The path leading to the main canyon is ¼ mile out and back. When the trail forks, there is no mention of which way leads to the canyon.
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SPOILER ALERT: The trail to the right takes you to the upper portion of the canyon and the one to the left takes you to the lower portion. If you take both forks, you will have walked over a ½ mile.
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During wet months, you will see waterfalls tumbling over the bluffs. I’ve been here after it rained and was able to stand behind a cascading waterfall in the canyon. However, the footing was trickier because of the wet conditions.
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Currently, Missouri is experiencing a drought where it hasn’t rained in almost a month. I was surprised that there was still a reflecting pool at the bottom of the canyon.In addition, the ferns were turning a reddish brown due to the recent drought conditions.
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There is also a one-mile loop trail on the west side of the road. I plan on returning this winter and hiking both trails. With any luck, I’ll see some fantastic ice formations inside the canyons.
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Reflecting Pool Ferns Changing Color
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Trees Growing In Canyon Tight Squeeze Bench Where the Trail Ends
Additional Info: Hickory Canyons Natural Area is on Sprott Road near HWY C in Ste. Genevieve County. It is within a 15-to-20-minute drive to either Pickle Springs Natural Area or Hawn State Park.
Features: Box canyons, sandstone cliffs, wet-weather waterfalls, ferns, liverworts, and mosses. There are also hickories, maples, oaks, and shortleaf pines.
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Formation: Over 500 million years ago, the area was covered by a shallow ocean. Erosion and other natural forces shaped the canyons and cliffs that we see today.
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Relict: A relict is a species that once thrived in a previous time but is now limited to certain areas. A quote from the MDC website, “Glacial relicts at Hickory Canyons include hay-scented fern, fir clubmoss and winterberry.”
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For more information, please visit:
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​Hickory Canyons | Missouri Department of Conservation
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