Magnolia Hollow Conservation Area Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670

"Edit 7/30/24: Changed from 5 stars to 3. All of what I mention below is still there, but is being lost. Trash continues to pile up from disrespectful people, even with attempts at keeping it clean. A couple of regular people picking up when they can, just isn't enough. Also, too often there are some very sketchy individuals making what should be a time to relax an uncomfortable experience. I'm hearing the reputation of this place isn't the best, which is a shame because of the potential it has. I hope to see this as a 5 star destination again some day. A little hidden gem in Bloomsdale's back yard. The Magnolia Hollow Conservation Area offers a shooting range, camping, fishing, hiking and a lookout. I've camped here regularly for a few years now. There are 3 established camp sites with picnic tables and firepits. A few walk-in sites along the trail have popped up as well. For a nice outing in a place that doesn't ever seem to be too busy, this could be your place."

"The drive into the area is nice. The overlook is pretty as well. I like sitting on the rock at the lake. The lack of access for vehicles makes it kind of crowded in deer season. Lots of parking along the road and at the parking lots. So, you are not really sure who is in or around you. It gives me an unsafe feeling. You sure would hate to have to drag one up some of the steep ravines. So, my only complaint is access. But, it is a nice woodsy walk. I have even spotted a Bald Eagle on the way to the overlook in the tree tops."

"Other than the bugs and ticks, it was peaceful. Best part was that it was free. Just make sure you have your own portapot and plenty of water and food. It is a ways out of town. GPS might take you the wrong way so make sure you take V outside of Bloomsdale."

"There is a short, paved trail that leads to an interesting overlook of Establishment Creek, and you can see the Mississippi River in the distance. If you continue down the trail from there, it is no longer paved. It's pretty narrow and goes rather steeply downhill for a bit. I read people's reviews on AllTrails before we went, and they mentioned that the trail was impossible to follow. We saw a couple that came back up while we were at the overlook, and they said they turned around and retraced their steps. However, we had brought a map that I printed from the website, and that helped us keep on the trail. The trick is to make a sharp right turn just past the bench that you come to along the way. Follow that until the first bridge. Once you cross it, it looks like you could go straight ahead up a hill. But we tried that and it randomly ends, so you need to turn left after the bridge. After that there isn't anything else tricky. It takes you pretty much in a loop and brings you back out onto the paved trail near the overlook. You could do the trail in reverse (counterclockwise), but the climb back up would be a challenge. Somehow it works out to be more of a gradual incline if you take it the way we did. We visited in early spring so the scenery wasn't all that interesting. It seems like there should be more views of the creek but we didn't see any past the main overlook area."

"Really nice setup, excellent facilities and well maintained. Needs better access roads for hunting, many places inaccessible to those that have to walk in. A pistol and rifle range similar to Apple Creek should be added."