by Mark Cozart


I have many favorite places in Southeast Missouri, but I can honestly say that Markham Springs in Williamsville Missouri is my absolute favorite destination.

The main reason I like Markham Springs is the river views.  I grew up near the southern portion of Black River, which is a truly black river that looks like a glorified ditch.  There is nothing special about this "river" and most people will speak of it passingly, if at all. However,  Black River in the southern Butler County and NE Arkansas is completely different from the immaculate Black River of Wayne County.  It should not even be referred to Black River at all in this area.  No, it should be referred to as the blue or green hue river (I would issue a decree but my powers of persuasion and influence are tethered to the inner sanctum of my mind).  It is the most gorgeous hue of green (or blue depending on weather conditions and time of year) in Wayne County and it meanders the area like flowing poetry.  

The Eagle Bluff Trail, named because Chief Eagle and his tribe camped here during the trail of tear, is my favorite trail in all the world.  Perhaps it is my trail because it was the first real trail that I hiked when I started to enjoying hiking and the natural world.  It is also the most unkempt trail in Missouri, but the views of the river, the nearby hills, mountains, and valley make it worth the hassle. 

Here is a link to the US Park Service page on the Camp ground: Click Here . A notice on the page indicates you can not book a campsite. That is because the camping sites are available on a first come basis. The electrical sites would be the ones you might be concerned about on a busy weekend. Tent camping typically does not sell out.

Phone Park for More Information: Project Office: (573)785-1475

Markam Springs is located North West of Poplar Bluff and west of Lake Wappapello just outside Williamsville, Missouri

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude): 36.97333, -90.60167





View Larger Map