Photographs of Millstream GardensConservation Area and St Francis River

Millstream Gardens Conservation Area is located in the St Francois Mountain range of the Missouri Ozarks. Here the St Francis River flows through the largest shut-ins in Missouri, known as Tiemann Shut-Ins. In springtime and after heavy rains the river crashes through the granite boulders thrilling whitewater enthusiasts. It is not uncommon to see kayaks throughout the year in the shut-ins and the Missouri Whitewater Championship races are held here each year. Photographing this area can be enjoyable in any season and the scenery changes dramatically as water levels change.

I have been visiting this place since I was a child and have seen the river in it's many stages. A caution should be added about the river and it's banks however. There is a wild nature to the area and poisonous snakes are not uncommon. In fact, one summer evening as I was hiking out from the river at dusk, I encountered two water moccasins within a five minute period, one of them actually moving towards me. I do have a healthy fear of poisonous snakes but a single encounter normally does not give me cause for concern. However, I must say that two such consecutively close encounters shook me up, thus I feel obliged to at least make people aware of their presence in the area.

Pine Overlook On the St Francis River 1 Millstream Gardens

Footbridge to Tiemann Shut Ins at Millstream Gardens 2

St Francis River at Millstream Gardens 4

St Francois River at Dusk

Tiemann Shut-Ins in Winter at Millstream Gardens 1

Autumn Along the St Francis River at Millstream Gardens 2

St Francis River at Millstream Gardens 2

Autumn View Over the St Francis River Valley at Millstream Gardens 1

End of Day at Tiemann Shut-Ins

St Francis River Above Tiemann Shut Ins at Millstream Gardens 1

St Francis River Valley at Millstream Gardens 2

Autumn Along the St Francis River at Millstream Gardens 4

Pine Overlook On the St Francis River 3 Millstream Gardens

Evening Light and Rock at Tiemann Shut-Ins

Autumn View Over the St Francis River Valley at Millstream Gardens 2

Tiemann Shut-Ins in Winter at Millstream Gardens 2

Autumn Along the St Francis River at Millstream Gardens 1

St Francis River Valley at Millstream Gardens 3

St Francis River at Millstream Gardens 1

Evening Light at Tiemann Shut-Ins

Tiemann Shut-Ins in Winter at Millstream Gardens 3

Last Light at Tiemann Shut-Ins

St Francis River Above Tiemann Shut Ins at Millstream Gardens 2

St Francis River Valley at Millstream Gardens 1

Autumn River Bank at Millstream Gardens 1

Pine Overlook On the St Francis River 2 Millstream Gardens

Autumn River Bank at Millstream Gardens 2

St Francis River Valley at Millstream Gardens 4

Footbridge to Tiemann Shut Ins at Millstream Gardens 1

St Francis River at Millstream Gardens 3

Autumn Along the St Francis River at Millstream Gardens 5

Autumn Along the St Francis River at Millstream Gardens 6

Tiemann Shut-Ins in Winter at Millstream Gardens 4

Above the St Francis River Valley at Millstream Gardens

Autumn Along the St Francis River at Millstream Gardens 3

Autumn River Bank at Millstream Gardens 3

Footbridge to Tiemann Shut Ins at Millstream Gardens 3

Autumn Along the St Francis River at Millstream Gardens 7

Autumn Along the St Francis River at Millstream Gardens 8

Autumn View Over the St Francis River Valley at Millstream Gardens 3

Autumn River Bank at Millstream Gardens 4

Millstream Gardens Trail in Autumn