The Basics
Potosi/Fredericktown Ranger Districts
10019 West State Highway 8
Potosi, MO 63664
Phone: (573) 438-5427
Fax: (573) 438-2633
About the Fredericktown Ranger District
With almost 84,000 acres, the Fredericktown Ranger District covers a large, rugged portion of the St. Francois Mountains, including the scenic St. Francois River, which are considered the geologic core of the Ozark Mountains. In the spring, along the St. Francois River, the "shut-ins" at Silver Mines Rec Area become a mecca for kayak enthusiasts, with the annual Missouri Whitewater Championship Races held every March.
Marble Creek and Silver Mines Rec Areas offers plenty of secluded campsites, while Crane Lake offers hikers and backpackers miles of hiking trails, including the Ozark Trail. The John J. Audubon Trail is another popular hiking destination.
The Rock Pile Mountain Wilderness holds 4,240 forested acres of remote St. Francois Mountains, including the rugged Rock Pile Mountain. This wilderness also holds some of Missouri's last remaining virgin forests, nestled in a narrow gorge.
*Currently, there are so many more features and areas within the Fredericktown RD than I have had time to photograph, gather information for, and list here. As soon as new information become available, and I am able to gather pictures, I will post those new areas and features here.*
Features & Facilities
- Marble Creek Recreation Area
- Silver Mines Recreation Area
- Crane Lake Loop
- John J. Audubon Trail
- Rockpile Mountain Wilderness Area Trails
- Silver Mines-Millstream Gardens Trail
- Crane Lake
- Marble Creek
- Rock Pile Mountain Wilderness
- Crane Lake Recreation Area
Campgrounds
Trails
Swimming Holes
Wilderness Areas
Other Areas