February 17, 2020
Cuivre River State Park near Tory, MO has some fantastic trails and offers exceptional recreational opportunities. No visit to the park would be complete without at least spending a few minutes on top of Frenchman’s Bluff. The 120’ high limestone bluff towers above the Cuivre River valley and provides excellent viewing in all seasons.
Trailhead
Frenchman’s Bluff is best accessed by hiking the short 1.6 mile trail loop up through the woods. The trail then follows the ridge, offering many rocks and ledges to sit on and soak up the view. I especially enjoy catching the sunset from one of these rocky perches. Last October I closed out a day of hiking and fishing in the park by meandering along the top of the bluff and watching the day come to an end. The beginning of fall color, the intense sunset, and the solitude offered by Frenchman’s Bluff made this one of my most memorable hikes of 2019.
Can I just drive there?
Yes, the bluff is accessible by car and is a popular hangout for locals. There are a few pullouts designed for parking, but many people just park anywhere they want along the road and get out to find their favorite viewing point. There is plenty of room to find a place all to yourself if you want to avoid the fellow visitors. Just don’t linger too long after sunset as the park ranger will be by to shag you out of there so he/she can lock the access gate.
Is it safe?
As always when exploring the outdoors, a dose of common sense is in order to avoid any problems on the bluff. The rocky trail is well marked and clean. However, hikers need to watch their step and stay on the path as much as possible. If you choose to step off the trail for a better view, beware of loose rocks and other trip hazards. There have been hikers who fell off the cliff in recent years so obey the signs and please be careful. Lastly, be sure to lock your vehicle doors as occasionally there are vehicle thefts in the area.
Flora and fauna
The rugged cliff with exposed surfaces and thin soils are home to some unique plants. Some of the trees include slippery elm, cedar, post oak, chinkapin oak, and assorted sumac species. There are also native grasses like little bluestem and some smaller sedges that I can’t identify. When I was there in October, there were quite a few asters still in bloom providing some late color. Frenchman’s Bluff is a great spot for viewing birds. Vultures and hawks ride the thermals and soar overhead, sometimes in great numbers. It is also a great site to view warblers as they scour the tree tops that are situated at eye level for viewers along the trail.
Add it to the list
Cuivre River State Park is only about an hour drive from St. Louis in Lincoln County. As I mentioned, there are many more hiking opportunities in the park. There are also campgrounds, a lake for fishing, and plenty of picnic areas. Visit the nature center To view exhibits and for maps and general information about the area. But whatever activity drives you to the park, make sure that you take the time to visit Frenchman’s Bluff while there.
Check out this link for maps and additional information:
