Silver Mine and Turkey Creek Trails

This is a combination of the Silver Mine and Turkey Creek Trails for a near 6 mile moderate hike. Silver Mines trail follows the banks of the St. Francis River where it cuts a rugged canyon through granite bluffs overlooking its rocky course through the mountains. Historic remains of mines and rock dam are found on the trail. The trail starts off on the east side of the St. Francis River with a grueling uphill climb over rocky terrain until you reach the Silver Mine Dam. The dam sits below the trail and takes a rocky scramble to get down to the water and back up. The trail then drops to Turkey Creek and a picnic area. The trail stays relatively flat and easy past Turkey Creek and continues to follow the river to Mill Stream Garden. The river is also a popular area for kayakers. Turkey Creek trail follows the St. Francis River bordering the Tiemann Shut-ins enroute to the Turkey Creek day use recreational area. The spectacular Tiemann Shut-ins are within the area's boundaries. The St. Francis River forms one of the area's western boundaries, then meanders eastward for 1.2 miles through the area's mid-southern section, before rushing through the shut-ins and passing into the Silver Mines area. The area's woodlands are composed primarily of oak, hickory, and pine in the uplands, and ash, elm, and maple along the river border and its drainages. The St. Francis River at Millstream Gardens and its wooded corridor is a part of Missouri's Natural Area System. This large stream contains an adjoining slough and large igneous shut-ins.