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Instead of starting the year with resolutions, we’re starting it with a look in the rearview mirror.

Over the last five months, Backroad Weekly has putzed around Se/MO (and neighboring) small towns, forests, river crossings, porta-potties, and some fascinating local history.

This issue is a highlight reel of the places that made us say, “Wait…that’s here?” Even though narrowing it down was a special form of torture, these are some of our favorite destinations featured in Backroad Weekly in 2025, in no particular order.

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Our Top 5 Parks & Trails from 2025

*Editor’s note: We're not claiming these are the “best” overall. These are simply some of the standouts from what we personally explored and wrote about this year.

1. Lake Tywappity Trail at Tywappity Community Lake - A lake loop hiding in the bushes just outside Chaffee. The trail runs about 2.5-3 miles around the water with some hills and uneven terrain. Bonus points for lake views, birds, dock fishing, and a vault toilet.

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2. Trail through Time at Pickle Springs Natural Area - In two miles, you get canyons, springs, overlooks, small waterfalls (after rain), a rare double arch rock formation, and Ice Age plant species still hanging on in MO. This place proves “quick hike” doesn't mean “boring hike.”

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3. Mingo National Wildlife Refuge - Even if you don’t hike, bike, paddle, bird, fish, or hunt, Mingo still delivers. The 17-mile auto tour lets you creep through wetlands and uplands at 25 mph while pretending you’re on assignment for Nat Geo. Add overlooks, a small but mighty visitor center (limited hours), and a picnic, and you’ve got an entire low-effort, high-reward afternoon.

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4. The Shoreline Trail at Perry County Community Lake - ✨It's pretty✨ In 3.5 miles, the trail loops the lake, with a short stretch on roads and parking lots to connect trailheads. One reader pointed out it's a good spot for kayak and canoe fishing.

5. Hawn State Park - For when the feet want some mileage. The Whispering Pine Trail offers a full day on the trail (6.5-9.5 miles), sandstone bluffs, clear creeks, pine forests, and backpacking. Go full overnight with backcountry sites, or keep it softcore with shorter trails and campground camping.

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Our Top 5 Scenic Outings and Adventurous Excursions from 2025

I wanted the Dorena-Hickman River Ferry on this list (and plenty of others), but decided to focus on how lucky we are to have the Ozark foothills to the west, and the Shawnee Forest to the east.

1. Snake Road at LaRue Pine Hills - The only road in the world that closes 2x a year for snake crossings. During spring and fall, the 2.5-mile road becomes foot-traffic-only, and people from all over come to watch this natural phenomenon.

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2. Ozark National Scenic Riverways - Bright-blue springs, historic mills, clear rivers, and scenery that makes you apologize to Missouri for ever underestimating it. Unreal AND accessible! Big Spring and Alley Spring are drive-up attractions, and Blue Spring is a short walk. Go Ozarks, go.

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3. Cache River Canoe Trail - Paddle through a prehistoric swamp sprinkled with thousand-year-old bald cypress trees. Beginners can take a guided group tour by day or under a full moon, and experienced paddlers can self-guide.

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4. Peck Ranch Conservation Area Elk Driving Tour - A self-guided driving tour where wild elk roam the Ozark hills. Fall brings bugling (aka elk love songs), but even outside peak season, you can catch a peek at one of these Missouri natives making a comeback in the state. This outing can be stacked with sites along the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

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5. The Observation Trail at Garden of the Gods - A short, low-difficulty, bee-you-tee-full hike: massive rock formations, panoramic views of the Shawnee Forest, and plenty of time for scrambling, photos, and people-watching. It’s popular and people-y, but unforgettable.

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Our Top 5 Small-town Day Trips from 2025

Same Disclaimer: Se/MO and our neighbors have no shortage of great small towns. If you don’t see your favorites listed here, don’t panic, we’re just getting started. This list reflects the towns we explored and featured this year, with many more on our radar for 2026.

1. ​New Madrid + East Prairie, MO - New Madrid offers you history and lore galore with a Mississippi River walk. And East Prairie has your nature trails with swampy wildlife, and BBQ in a silo. Together, they make a perfect “learn something + breathe fresh air + eat BBQ” day.
2. ​Charleston, MO - Grab breakfast and coffee, poke around a "cozy country store” mercantile, then take a nature break at Delaney Lake Conservation Area. You might see an eagle or two.
3. ​Marble Hill, MO - Walkable and warm, it sucks you into an antiques vortex. One minute you’re stopping for a charming little made-from-scratch lunch, the next you’re three hours deep in trinket browsing.
4. ​Alto Pass, IL - The population may be tiny, but the day trip potential is weirdly huge. Do an active morning (orchard stroll, canyon hike, or a chill nature trail), follow it with lunch at a winery/brewery (or a classy bourbon bar), then finish with an overlook.
5. ​Scott City, MO - Scott City is unsuspectingly packed: a cozy café, a little museum (for the brochure gremlins), a riverside patio lunch, a winery in the sticks, a Harley Davidson showroom, and a Christmas cabin that opens in August.

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Favorite 5 Se/MO Fun Facts from 2025

These are the weird, wonderful local facts that sent us down rabbit holes in 2025.

1. ​River Pirates Were a Real Problem - Before Jesse James, Se/MO had Samuel Ross Mason, the so-called King of the River Pirates. His gang operated near present-day East Prairie, terrorizing river travelers in the late 1700s. He vanished after a botched escape in 1803.
2. People Reported a Lot of UFOs in Piedmont in the 70s - Between February and April of 1973, more than 500 UFO sightings were reported around Clearwater Lake. National media noticed, the legend stuck, and today the town leans into its alien fame with an annual UFO Fest.
3. ​Alligator Gar Can Grow to Be about the Size of Shaq - This massive, air-gulping fish has relatives dating back more than 100 million years, can grow over 8 feet long, and is native to Southeast Missouri. Once misunderstood and nearly wiped out, efforts are being made to restore the population of this Mississippi River Valley royalty.
4. Perry County Is Missouri's Hole-y-est County - There are 700+ known caves in Perry County alone, including four of Missouri’s five longest. These aren’t show caves with gift shops...they’re muddy, wild, and still being explored. There’s lots of uncharted territory under Perry County.
5. ​Life uh...finds a way (in Bollinger County) - Parrosaurus missouriensis was a duck-billed plant-eating dinosaur discovered in Bollinger County in 1942. The original bones were sold for $50 (to buy a cow), and today the local discovery lives on in museums from Ste. Gen to the Smithsonian.

Not bad for a state we love to underestimate.

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This section is brought to you by

Not much happening this weekend, so let’s look at some upcoming road, trail, and bike races over the next few months, just in case one slid its way into your resolutions. New year, new woo! Can't say I didn't give you time to train.

​​Dirty South Roubaix 2026​, Alto Pass, IL - One of the region’s most beloved gravel bike races returns for its 10th year. Riders can tackle the full 100K+ or opt for the “Half Dirty” shorter course. Still hilly, still scenic, still gravel-y. This one sells out fast. Sat, March 7.

​Howard Aslinger 12/24-Hour Endurance Run, Cape Girardeau, MO - An endurance challenge on a flat, paved loop at Arena Park that welcomes runners of all experience levels, from a one-hour option to full 12- and 24-hour runs. Fri-Sat, March 13-14.

​​The Last Miner Riding​, Park Hills, MO - An endurance mountain bike race at St. Joe State Park where riders tackle an ~8-mile loop every hour, on the hour, until only one rider remains. Sat, March 14. Proceeds benefit families and children affected by congenital heart disease.

​American Bottoms 100, Columbia, IL - Follow levees and backroads through the historic American Bottoms along the Mississippi River. Runners trace a flat, fast course through river towns and landmarks like Fort de Chartres and Prairie du Rocher, with sunrise views over the Illinois bluffs. Choose between a 110-mile out-and-back or a 55-mile point-to-point, with generous cutoffs and plenty of aid stations. Sat-Sun, March 21-22.

​Chubb Trail Races, Eureka, MO - Set in forested terrain near the Meramec River at West Tyson County Park. Trail runners can choose from an 8-mile, 25K, 50K, or the new 25K ruck race. Sat, March 28.

​​Wolf Creek Trail Run​, Poplar Bluff, MO - Saturday, April 4, 2026, choose your challenge: a 6K run or 1.7-mile Walk the Forest (WTF), or go big with the Half Marathon. Rain or shine.

​​Missouri OUTLAW Gravel Race​, Ste. Genevieve, MO - A 45-mile gravel bike race through the countryside around Ste. Genevieve. The course is famously “flat and fast…until it’s not”. Proceeds support Trailnet and its work to improve biking access across the region. Sat, April 18.

​​Iron Spokes Enduro​, Ironton, MO - Part of the Missouri Enduro Series, this mountain bike race takes on the steep, chunky trails of Shepherd Mountain Bike Park. Riders race timed downhill stages. Expect fast descents and technical terrain. Tues, April 21.

​The Ozark’s Mountain Challenge, Sam A Baker State Park, MO - A 12-hour endurance hiking challenge that dares hikers to climb Mudlick Mountain eight times, totaling 7,980 feet of elevation gain - the same height as Mount Olympus. May 2.

​The Bluffs Trail Run, Eminence, MO - A trail running event set in Echo Bluff State Park and neighboring Current River State Park. Distance options range from a half-marathon down to a 5K, plus a kids’ 1-mile fun run, making this a welcoming event for experienced trail runners and first-timers alike. Expect wooded trails, bluff views, and camping options. May 2.​
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For each event, you’ll find more info at the link.​
​*Because these events are upcoming, they have not been vetted. That would require a time machine, and we don't have the funds. Party at your own discretion.

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This Weekend’s Happenings

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Fri, Jan 02

​Salsa Night at Alto Vineyards, Alto Pass, IL - $15 gets you two hours of guided Latin dance lessons AND a drink. No partner or experience required. 5-7pm.

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Sat, Jan 03

​Infinite Card Show, Paducah, KY - Downtown card show featuring sports cards and collectibles plus Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh, One Piece, and more. Multiple vendors, door prizes, and a trade night. 10am to 5pm

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Sun, Jan 04

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Plan Ahead - The Fun You Have to Register for

​Conservation Trivia, Cape Girardeau, MO - Nature-themed trivia night at the Cape Nature Center. Teams of up to six people, bring your own snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. Jan 23, 7-9pm.

​Trout Discovery Station, Cape Girardeau, MO - Walk-up informational booth to ask questions about trout fishing regulations, techniques, and special parks in Southeast Missouri. Jan 24, 9-11am.

​The King’s Ball 2026, Ste. Geneviève, MO - A winter tradition rooted in Missouri French and Mardi Gras history, this regency-style community dance returns for another night of live music, ritual, and revelry. Colonial attire is encouraged, but optional. Sat, Feb 7. Doors open 6pm, dancing begins 7pm.

​Funding for Business Growth, Sikeston, MO - A practical workshop focused on real-world ways to fund your business's growth, covering loans, grants, and investor pathways. This session is designed for business owners ready to understand their financing options. Tues, Feb 10, 12-2pm.

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WORD SCRAMBLE ANSWER: COUNTDOWN

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And a big THANK YOU to all of you. Thanks for letting us in your inbox.

Five months in, and this thing is already bigger than we expected. That’s because of you. Because you open the emails, write back, tell your friends, and share tips. You encourage us to keep going with this project.

We're really glad you're here.

Here’s to more back roads, fresh air, small towns, getting out of the house, and loving where we live in 2026.

And a huge thanks to VisitCape, for seeing the vision and helping us bring you day trips throughout 2025. We look forward to doing it again, together in 2026.

Catch you down the road.

Caitlan Hester
Publisher, Backroad Weekly

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