In Cole County, river landscapes meet stories that span from an 1804 expedition to Missouri’s cultural history. Nature is especially vivid at the Church Farm Conservation Area, which encompasses 1,277 acres of floodplain along the Missouri River. Scour holes and seasonal oxbow lakes provide habitat for waterfowl, wading birds and shorebirds. Bald eagles also nest in some of the larger groups of trees along the river.
River Landscapes and Birdwatching
The Binder Community Lake also offers opportunities to observe waterfowl and shorebirds. Church Farm and the lake offer different experiences: along the Missouri River, floodplains, oxbow lakes and groups of trees define the habitat described; at Binder Community Lake, birdwatching takes center stage. Their presence varies seasonally.
The Scrivner Road Conservation Area covers 919 acres. It includes nine-acre Winegar Lake and more than two miles of shoreline along South Moreau Creek. Smoky Waters offers another kind of landscape: this 1,041-acre conservation area lies on a peninsula formed by the confluence of the Missouri and Osage rivers. The three areas highlight different waterways and landscapes, with features that cannot be reduced to a single viewpoint.
Trails, Water Access and Activities
At Scrivner Road, an 8.5-mile trail system follows Moreau Creek and provides access to most areas. Seasonal restrictions may apply. The conservation area also includes a shooting range with a shotgun facility and rifle and pistol ranges at 25, 50 and 100 yards. Published restrictions may affect availability.
At Smoky Waters, bank fishing is possible along the Missouri and Osage rivers. The easternmost part of the area can only be reached on foot along the diversion levee or by boat from the river; flooding may affect road access. Keep these access options in mind when planning a visit to this particularly remote part of the area.
Stringtown Bridge Access provides public access to North Moreau Creek on Route C, west of Jefferson City, Missouri. This is a specific access point for the creek, while the trail at Scrivner Road leads visitors through a longer trail system. Which of these nature experiences interests you depends on whether you want to focus on trails, shorelines, birdwatching or fishing.
Traces of History
The expedition camped at the foot of Clark’s Hill in Cole County from June 1 to 3, 1804. The trail to Clark’s Hill passes two Indigenous burial mounds mentioned by Clark in his journal, as well as three others discovered at this site. Here, the landscape and archaeological evidence are part of the same specific historical story.
Jefferson City offers another perspective on Missouri’s past. The Cole County Historical Society Museum is a historic site built by Governor B. Gratz Brown in 1871. The museum displays the formal inaugural gowns of Missouri’s First Ladies on a rotating basis. Jefferson Landing, meanwhile, was a busy trading center on the Missouri River in the mid-19th century. The Jefferson Landing State Historic Site is scheduled to close from June 1 to October 16, 2026; during this time, the Capitol and the Missouri State Museum will remain open.
Cultural History and Exhibits
The Missouri State Museum dedicates its exhibits to Missouri’s natural and cultural history. Museum staff also lead tours of the Capitol. Exhibits on the state’s history, art and culture rotate in the Elizabeth Rozier Gallery. The History Hall features exhibits on Missouri’s cultural history; “Missouri Trailblazers” introduces people from Missouri and their significant contributions through artifacts, interpretive panels and games. The content of this exhibit may change.
The Lohman Building also combines different ways of interpreting history: it features an exhibit on transportation and the 20-minute film “Welcome to Missouri State Capital.” The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Safety Education Center is another useful place to visit. Admission is free; it is open to the public Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on state holidays.
Discover more destinations: Jefferson City, Lafayette, Boone, Cooper, Greene, Jackson, Butler County, New Madrid County.
For the overview of the wider region: Missouri.
