Nine miles of floodplain corridor, additional stretches of rivers and creeks, and dolomite cliffs overlooking the Osage River: the natural areas around Miller County bring together a variety of waterscapes. Historic bridges and sites add another perspective to your explorations.
Floodplains, Cliffs, and Access to the Water
The Saline Valley Conservation Area offers public access to a nine-mile floodplain corridor along Saline Creek. There are also six miles of accessible river and creek corridors along Jack Buster Creek, Jim Henry Creek, and the Osage River. The corridor stretches give you a sense of the extent of the accessible riverbanks; Kings Bluff offers a different highlight with three 30-foot-high dolomite cliffs. From there, you can look out over the Osage River.
Lake of the Ozarks State Park also offers several ways to enjoy the water and landscape: the park has three paved boat ramps and designated trails for hiking, horseback riding, and biking. The ramps provide a convenient starting point for boat trips, while the trails offer three different ways to get around. When planning, you can decide whether to focus on the trails or access to the water.
At Brays Access on Tavern Creek, the nature of the access is especially important. Public wading and bank fishing are permitted there; however, reaching the creek requires a 0.25-mile descent down a steep, trail-less slope. Tavern Creek at Brays Access is considered a good fishing spot for spotted bass and smallmouth bass. This combination of fishing opportunities and a steep, trail-less descent is useful information for planning your visit.
Bridges, Museum, and Historic Sites
The Boeckmann Bridge is a 240-foot-long and 14-foot-wide wooden suspension bridge built by Joseph Dice in 1926. It is located southeast of St. Elizabeth, off Highway 52, near a public access point to a swimming area on Big Tavern Creek. At this location, a historic bridge and access to the water are close together.
In Tuscumbia, a natural-stone building on Highway 52 tells the story of the Miller County Museum. The Miller County Historical Society acquired it from the Wright family in 1988; it opened as the museum’s new home on June 2, 1991. A roller mill is on display in the museum. The basement also houses a steamboat model and a wheel. These three exhibits offer different points of interest for a museum visit.
Several other historic sites are listed on the National Register. Grand Auglaize Bridge is on Swinging Bridges Road at Grand Auglaize Creek near Brumley in Miller County. In Iberia, Iberia Academy and Junior College is located at SR 17 and SR 42. Olean Railroad Depot is on Main Street, east of the intersection with California Street in Olean. The precise location details help distinguish the three sites without confusing their different locations.
Events and Group Stays
The Miller County Fair begins with an annual parade on Tuesday evening. Since future dates and routes may vary, check the specific event details if you plan to include the fair in your trip.
The John A. Young Special-Use Area in Miller County is designated for group camping and is located at the corner of Whispering Oaks and Benton Roads.
Explore more destinations: Lake Ozark, Eldon, New Madrid County, Greene, Nodaway County, Moniteau County, Iron County and Boone.
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