By Kelly Maue
Embrace October and the cooler temps. Take a break from the daily grind and welcome the changing seasons.
It’s easy to get bogged down with stressors and responsibilities, but a scenic drive may help with a much-needed reset. Find your favorite playlist – or enjoy the quiet – then let a palette of rusty reds, vibrant oranges, and golden hues be the backdrop for an afternoon well spent.
Many day-trip options start in the St. Louis area.
On the Missouri side of the Mississippi River, drive north from St. Peters along the water’s edge on Highway 79. Enjoy the fall foliage as you pass through towns like Clarksville, Louisiana, Ilasco, and historic Hannibal. Plenty of shops and restaurants line the way. Cap it off at Sodalis Nature Preserve for spectacular views from the huge bluff, Lover’s Leap.
Slightly west, Highway 94 offers more scenic views. Starting north of Chesterfield in Weldon Spring, travel west, parallel to the Missouri River through Defiance, Augusta, and Marthasville. Then cross the bridge at Washington, where wine country continues into Hermann or loop back and head east on Highway 100. Fall colors await, along with places to stop and stretch, including Rockwoods Reservation or Babler State Park.
Further south, Highways 21 and 55 run parallel and offer more picturesque scenery. The Sandy Creek Covered Bridge historic site and Kress Farm Preserve are both off Highway 21 near Hillsboro. Continue south to Caledonia, Ironton, and Arcadia to find large rock formations and hilly Ozark terrain full of fall color.
Mark Twain National Forest sits between Rolla and Farmington, approximately an hour and a half drive southwest of St. Louis. Named after one of Missouri’s most famous authors, it covers over 3 million acres, or nearly 5,000 square miles. This giant swath of Missouri’s forested land is arguably its most beautiful this time of year.
Another closer drive on the Missouri side is Lone Elk Park in St. Louis County. Stay in your car as you drive through this 546-acre park, home to herds of elk and bison. A nature lover’s paradise, it’s an easy adventure for enjoying both wildlife and beautiful fall colors.
Just across the Mississippi River in Illinois, there is more seasonal beauty.
Heading north, the Great River Road is a popular destination year-round. This long stretch between the river and the towering bluffs is known for winter eagle watching and show-stopping color in autumn. The Great River Road spans 550 miles from the Cahokia Mounds to Galena, but the most traveled section is from the Alton area north to Pere Marquette State Park. Peak color for trees on top of the immense limestone bluffs is typically mid-October to early November. If you stop at Pere Marquette (and it’s practically a must), consider a hike on Goat Cliff Trail for some impressive panoramic views.
Or if you head south in Illinois, Columbia offers another lovely drive with more limestone bluffs and beautiful foliage. Just off Route 3, Bluff Road starts in Columbia and continues south through various towns, ending in Ellis Grove. Worthwhile stops along the way include Salt Lick Point in Valmeyer, where you can immerse yourself in the gorgeous fall colors with a hike to the top of the bluffs. Or explore Fort de Chartres Historic Site in Prairie du Rocher, a French fortification built in 1720.
Plenty of options let you enjoy the beautiful fall foliage before it’s too late. Like any great show, it’s only around for a short time. Don’t miss out!
