November 30, 2019
The Castor River Shut-Ins at Amidon Memorial Conservation area near Fredericktown, MO are simply stunning. The clear water rushing past billion year old boulders forming a series of waterfalls and deep pools is enough to draw you in. Pair this mesmerizing water feature with the pine/oak forest blushing with fall colors and you have a recipe for a perfect fall morning hike. So when I had a free Sunday in October I knew my day would start at Amidon Memorial Conservation Area.
Comfortable distance from St. Louis
The drive to Amidon from St. Louis County was less than 90 minutes and easy to navigate. As I hit the gravel roads off Highway J I began to notice frost flowers by the hundreds (thousands??) in the ditches on both sides of the road. The sun was just popping up and everything was covered in an icy frost. I sped along though, hoping to capture some of this early light at the Shut-ins. Once I parked, I hustled down the short, well-marked path approximately 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile before it meets the Castor River. Timing was perfect. Now everything slowed down for me and I could relax. The mist was rising off the water and I had the whole place to myself.
Shut-ins are common in this part of Missouri, including Silver Mines, Johnson Shut-ins, and Lower Rock Creek among others. While some of these are popular swimming holes in the summer, these rivers are often neglected in the winter months. So naturally this is my favorite time to visit. This particular stretch of Amidon Memorial Conservation Area may be my favorite.
Big return for a short hike
Once I reached the river, the trail was forgotten and I stayed within the river bank. I hopped from stone to stone, marveling at the waterfalls and the clear pools. Each pool was prettier than the one before it and the fall color in the trees framed the scene perfectly. I found a great spot to have a snack and soak up the solitude. I don’t know how long this particular stretch of shut-ins guides the Castor River, but it can’t be more than 1/2 mile. Even though it seemed like I took my time, I made it back to my car by mid-morning. I easily could have returned home in time for lunch and had a big part of the day left for other activities.
I almost feel bad because Amidon Memorial Conservation Area is actually fairly large, 1,630 acres of mixed forest land, glades, fields, and crops. Hunting is allowed and there is a loop trail to hike for those not distracted by the river. I’m told that there are a few old mill sites but I’ve never explored those. If there is a downside to the area it is the trash left behind by the summer crowds of swimmers who insist on leaving their mark. The trash aside, this place is just plain beautiful. Here are more photos from my recent visit.
If you haven’t been to Amidon Memorial Conservation Area, add it to your list. It is striking and memorable, and a beautiful spot for photography. Swimmers enjoy it in the summer and fisherman in the cooler seasons, but it is totally worth it any time of the year. One of these days I may even make a day of it and explore more of the area. For more information, check out this link:
https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/amidon-mem-ca
Looking for something to do while in the area? Check out Elephant Rocks for some more spectacular scenery with plenty of picnic areas and another short hike. Here is Daniel’s blog about the area from a while back:
