Photographs of Silver Mines Recreation Area

Silver Mines Recreation Area lies within Mark Twain National Forest in the southern Missouri Ozarks. There the St Francis River flows over smooth granite boulders through steep hillsides lined with bluffs and granite outcroppings. A hiking trail connects this area with Millstream Gardens upstream, where Missouri Whitewater Championship races are held. Needless to say, it is a popular place for kayakers.

The area possesses a rugged beauty that is characteristic of the St Francois Mountains. I first visited Silver Mines as a child in the 1960’s and have memories of camping, riding minibikes through the campgrounds, and swimming beneath the large stone dam (with a breach through which the river flows) that once harnessed the river.

St Francis River in Autumn 1 at Silver Mines

St Francis River in Autumn 1 at Silver Mines

Wild Phlox Along the Hiking Trail 1 at Silver Mines

Wild Phlox Along the Hiking Trail 1 at Silver Mines

Turkey Creek Trail 1 at Silver Mines

Turkey Creek Trail 1 at Silver Mines

Above the St Francis River in Spring 2 at Silver Mines

Above the St Francis River in Spring 2 at Silver Mines

Turkey Creek Trail 2 at Silver Mines

Turkey Creek Trail 2 at Silver Mines

Path to an Overlook of the St Francis River at Silver Mines

Path to an Overlook of the St Francis River at Silver Mines

Silver Mines Hiking Trail in Autumn 1

Silver Mines Hiking Trail in Autumn 1

St Francis River in Early Spring at Silver Mines

St Francis River in Early Spring at Silver Mines

Turkey Creek Trail 4 at Silver Mines

Turkey Creek Trail 4 at Silver Mines

Yellow Dogwood at Silver Mines

Yellow Dogwood at Silver Mines

Turkey Creek Trail 3 at Silver Mines

Turkey Creek Trail 3 at Silver Mines

St Francis River in Autumn 3 at Silver Mines

St Francis River in Autumn 3 at Silver Mines

Silver Mines Trail in Spring 1

Silver Mines Trail in Spring 1

Wild Phlox Along the Hiking Trail 3 at Silver Mines

Wild Phlox Along the Hiking Trail 3 at Silver Mines

Silver Mines Trail in Spring 2

Silver Mines Trail in Spring 2

Boulders On a Hillside at Silver Mines

Boulders On a Hillside at Silver Mines

View Over the St Francis River at Silver Mines

View Over the St Francis River at Silver Mines

Turkey Creek Trail 5 at Silver Mines

Turkey Creek Trail 5 at Silver Mines

St Francis River in Autumn 4 at Silver Mines

St Francis River in Autumn 4 at Silver Mines

Above the St Francis River in Spring 1 at Silver Mines

Above the St Francis River in Spring 1 at Silver Mines

Hiking Trail Along the Bluff at Silver Mines

Hiking Trail Along the Bluff at Silver Mines

Silver Mines Trail in Spring 3

Silver Mines Trail in Spring 3

Silver Mines Hiking Trail in Autumn 2

Silver Mines Hiking Trail in Autumn 2

Wild Phlox Along the Hiking Trail 2 at Silver Mines

Wild Phlox Along the Hiking Trail 2 at Silver Mines

Turkey Creek Trail 7 at Silver Mines

Turkey Creek Trail 7 at Silver Mines

Spring Hillside and Dam at Silver Mines

Spring Hillside and Dam at Silver Mines

St Francis River in Autumn 2 at Silver Mines

St Francis River in Autumn 2 at Silver Mines

Wild Phlox Along the Hiking Trail 4 at Silver Mines

Wild Phlox Along the Hiking Trail 4 at Silver Mines

Turkey Creek Trail 6 at Silver Mines

Turkey Creek Trail 6 at Silver Mines

St Francis River in Springtime at Silver Mines

St Francis River in Springtime at Silver Mines

Silver Mines Trail in Spring 4

Silver Mines Trail in Spring 4