Two petroglyph sites make Washington State Park a special destination for those interested in culture: visitors can view the rock art in a public setting. Regular guided petroglyph tours are held at the main site, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The sites were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. Here, you can encounter both a visible testament to earlier cultures and a place whose historic significance has been officially recognized.
Discover History: Potosi and Caledonia
In Potosi, you can also explore the county’s heritage with a stroll through the historic downtown. Preserved buildings, boutiques, and museums illustrate the region’s mining history and cultural heritage. Each summer, Washington County’s history is celebrated downtown at the Moses Austin Heritage Festival. Those interested in historic preservation can find another stop at Heritage Park: a cabin donated by the Casey family was moved there in 2002 by the Mine-au-Breton Historical Society.
Heritage Park is in Potosi, on Mine au Breton Creek, and is bounded by the creek and Jefferson Street (Bearfoot), South Missouri, and South Pine. The Washington State Park’s building history also tells the story of people who shaped the region: the park is home to buildings constructed by African American stonemasons of the Civilian Conservation Corps. In Caledonia, a walking tour takes you through the historic district, with 33 residences and buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Potosi’s historic downtown and Caledonia’s registered district thus offer different ways to explore the county’s architectural and local history.
Rock Formations and Trails in the Ozarks
Precambrian rocks dating back 1.5 billion years are exposed in Hughes Mountain Natural Area. A 1.6-kilometer trail leads to Devil’s Honeycomb, the highest point on Hughes Mountain; from the summit, you can see across the surrounding landscape. From Potosi, reach the area via Highway 21 and then Highway M. The geology, trail, and view give a visit here a clear focus: the mountain and its distinctive rock formations.
Other trails in the county focus more on forest and river scenery. The Opossum Track Trail runs through part of the 68-acre Washington State Park Hardwood Natural Area and offers several views of the Big River valley. At Bootleg Access, Washington County provides access to the Big River for boats, kayaks, and canoes. The circular trail there crosses a ridge and then follows the Big River on the way back. This means that, in the same county, you can enjoy either an outing on the water or a circular hike along the river.
In the main area of Pea Ridge Conservation Area, Indian Creek runs for more than three miles; the creek is an Ozark spring-fed stream. The foothills of the Ozark Mountains also shape recreational opportunities beyond this area in Washington County: hiking, cycling, and ATV riding are among the activities on offer. Berryman Campground is a small, remote camping and picnic area on the site of a 1937 Civilian Conservation Corps camp. Together, these places show the breadth of the county, from historic districts and petroglyphs to river landscapes, forest trails, and geological discoveries.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Potosi, Texas County, Barry, Scott County, Dunklin County, Bates County, Webster County, Mississippi County.
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