Hickory Canyons Natural Area — Attraction in Farmington

Myself and 2 others drove down to hike at Hickory Canyons 2 Sundays ago. This was definitely beautiful scenery driving from St. Louis to St. Genevieve, Mo. Luckily my GPS did a great job of getting us to the location as there's no signs to direct you on the highway as I traveled from highway 55 onto smaller roads. Thank God for technology like we have today instead of print maps. But getting down there to the Canyon, there were no signs to tell you we made it, but we saw cars parked on one side and figured that must be the trails. Exiting the car we did see a sign where the trail began. We attempted to walk both sides. We started at the one across the street first, but ended up turning back as we didn't know where the rest of the trail was. Nothing was labeled to tell you which ways to walk. On this part of the trail there is some minor climbing and getting down as well. I ended up calling trying to get back down, but I was ok. We excited that part and went back across the street to the trails were the cars were parked and walked through as well. There was no signs to tell you where to go so we went where we could get to. This was ok as I'm am adventurous type. We finally made it to the deep canyon which was beautiful 🤩. There was no waterfall for us to see like in the pictures because it hadn't rained. But it was still beautiful to see. We hiked the very top then hiked to the bottom. It was nice and quiet and just beautiful scenery all the way around. These trails are not wheelchair accessible and are not for beginners. They were rugged, but we got through with one mishap...my fall...but I didn't hurt myself. If you go here just be mindful that it's not labeled at all. This was our first time here and we did ok for this hike. I'm sure you'll do fine as well. The weather was great for us. So go and...

(On the main waterfall side)There is no longer a loop trail, the upper falls trail is closed and has been closed (it may be disputed land and trespassing could be applied) This is not Public Land and only managed by the MDC, the sign pictured is no longer there and it clearly states LAD owns this place and to stay on the trail. Just because people interpret public land and it's a free for all for plants, minerals, wildlife they are very wrong because it's NOT public land. STAY ON THE TRAIL IS MISERABLY DISRESPECTED HERE. We are permitted guest to observe nature here, that makes our own human race on trial to whether or not we can handle that responsibility.

Aggressive non-caring behavior has led to less accessibility and the closing of a section and a portion of a trail as it is. I say we are collectively failing the test and not handling it well. Seeing trouble and reporting it is helpful and responsible. Looking the other way and not your business, is exactly why it keeps happening? Eventually it will be closed and that's why I'm saying something, asking people to please respect the rules or we won't have this to see.

Metal Detectors, building log forts, RC vehicles, rock dams, picking and digging out ferns, trudging around off trail mushroom hunting, apparently even snake hunting even spray painting initials on sandstone I've seen it all

I cannot emphasize or stress enough anything more important than extra care and respect for this natural garden with hundreds of species of ferns and plants, how it was generously provided and shared with the...

After the recent rains, there were lots of waterfalls. The photos do not do justice of how massive these canyons are. The largest waterfall (I would guess 40+ feet high though the photos make it seem only 5 feet), is a short hike from the parking lot. I noticed most people were not venturing past the upper rim trail to some smaller but impressive waterfalls with 2-3 foot deep pools. I’m sure most of the streams and waterfalls would be nearly dry in summer. The loop trail across the street from the parking lot is rugged and crosses streams several times. Wear waterproof hikers if you go after rain. I will probably go here again in winter because the reviewers photos of the frozen waterfalls are phenomenal. I don’t think summer would be a good time in my opinion because of foliage hiding the very impressive geologic formations. Besides the ferns and moss and dripping cliffs are so nice to...