A Little Closer To Heaven

There’s a very special place in Southeast Missouri that I’ve been to several times. Though it’s been reported about in Backpacker Magazine a few times, it still sees very few visitors. I’ve been there several times and never seen anyone else. It goes by several names…I call it Dark Hollow though I’m pretty sure it’s officially called Lower Rock Creek. It’s truly one of the most beautiful places in America, and yet very few people know about it or visit it.

To get there, take Highway 67 North from Southeast Missouri, or South from St. Louis. Just south of Fredericktown, MO go west on Highway E and turn right on County Road 511. Stay straight on 511 until you cross a low water bridge. There is a little unnamed road on the left almost immediately…take it. It’s actually more like a four-wheeler trail and I would recommend a higher clearance vehicle because I just about ripped the bottom off of my Honda Civic the first time I drove down it. Park in the parking area and the creek is just a short hike away.

Once you get there…take the trail on the left and it will lead straight to the creek in about a mile. The creek is absolutely beautiful. It’s surrounded by sheer cliffs and makes a great place for an adventure. Though there is a trail that follows the creek, it’s pretty much impossible to follow the trail because it fades in and out and crosses the creek several times. It’s an absolutely beautiful place to spend the day or even an overnight camping trip alongside the creek.

If you go when the creek is dry…just turn left and follow the creekbed as far as you like until you hit private property. If the creek is flowing pretty well…it’s a great place to fish. My cousin and I took an overnight camping trip there while the creek was up one time and the fishing was amazing. We would hook a fish everytime we would cast simply because the area is never, ever fished. Whatever adventure you have in mind…this is one of my favorite areas in Missouri. Perfect for solitude, and absolutely beautiful. If you’re ever in the area…you’ve just gotta see it for yourself.

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