Located in Crawford County, Steelville, Missouri was founded in 1835 and incorporated in 1885 when it had 500 residents. It was previously called Valley of Springs. James Steel was a settler who became the commissioner of Steelville the year it was founded. He operated a trading post in the area. William Britton was another settler in the area at that same time and built a small grist mill. Steelville overcame a lot during its early years, like the flood of 1898 and the fire of 1904. Both events had a devastating impact on the city. Steelville began to thrive after rebuilding and continued to grow. The population of this small town increased to 1,672 residents in 2019. The population as of 2023 is approximately 1,421 residents.
The Meramec Music Theatre is one of the places you should consider visiting while in Steelville. Owned and operated by the Steelville Arts Council, their goal is to connect artists and audiences through music. The Bass River Resort is another place to visit in Steelville because there is something for everyone to do there. You can enjoy horseback riding, floating down the river, or a nice meal.
You will also want to check out the nearby Woodson K. Woods Memorial Conservation Area off Highway 8 because you can choose from many activities, like fishing, bird-watching, and seasonal hunting. If you’re looking for indoor entertainment, consider the Anderson Family Center, a friendly place that offers bowling, a pool, darts, an arcade, and dining options. You can also listen to music through a jukebox. Their business hours typically include evenings and weekends.
Campgrounds Near Steelville, Missouri
Big Creek RV Park in Annapolis, Missouri, is southeast of Steelville. This site has full hookups, cable television, and free wireless internet access. There is a sense of serenity because it is near a calm creek. You can enjoy hiking, fishing, or swimming in a pool. There is also a playground for kids to feel free and have fun.
Cottonwoods RV Park in Columbia, Missouri is northwest of Steelville. You will immediately notice the well-maintained landscaping when arriving at this campground, where there is a store, gym, and recreation room. Full hookups with up to 50-amp capabilities and a range of social activities make this location worth considering.
Oak Grove RV Park in Branson, Missouri is southwest of Steelville. Its accommodations include full hookups, a shower, laundry facilities, and free wireless internet. There is also a lot to do near the site when you want to venture out, like shopping and dining.
State Parks Near Steelville, Missouri
Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is ideal for camping, biking, hiking, fishing, swimming, and horseback riding. It’s also a place for relaxing and enjoying nature. After being redeveloped through the years, this site now offers visitors a place to enjoy nature, take a hot shower, and use the laundry facilities. The campground offers full hookups, including water and electricity. It has equestrian sites, a dump station, and a camp store.
Elephant Rocks State Park has giant boulders shaped like elephants. Geologists are fascinated by the formation of these boulders and the oldest known commercial granite quarry in Missouri, which is near the park. Visitors can enjoy lunch at a picnic table or hike on the Braille Trail designed for people with physical or visual disabilities. You can enjoy hiking, climbing, fishing, camping, and picnicking near lush trees at this park. There is also a playground for kids to enjoy.
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park is a rugged and scenic site on 7,500 acres. It is the place to go if you want to climb to the highest point in Missouri and observe the beauty of nature. You can also enjoy a picnic and camping at this location. There are special-use camping areas, but only tent camping is allowed. Other amenities include a vault toilet and water. Taum Sauk Mountain State Park is a fun place to go for hiking and backpacking on beautiful trails. You may find yourself stopping to admire scenic overlook points during the hike.
National Sites Near Steelville, Missouri
Bird-watching and wildlife viewing are the kinds of activities you can enjoy at Ozark National Scenic Riverways. For the first time, Congress passed an act in 1964 to protect the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, which are great for fishing and canoeing in the area. If you choose to go fishing, you might encounter over 112 fish species. Canoeing at this location is family-friendly and lots of fun. You won’t get bored visiting Ozark National Scenic Riverways because you can explore over 100 historic sites and 300 caves. You can go for a drive in the area during the spring to enjoy wildflowers and the beauty of vibrant trees transforming in the fall.
Ulysses S. Grant was a Union Civil War general, and visiting the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site is like stepping into the history books and experiencing life during that time. The site includes the home where his family lived before the Civil War, museums, and a visitor center. In addition to the educational experience, you can enjoy walking trails and sightseeing. There is a range of nearby shops and restaurants to check out after exploring the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site.
Buffalo National River, established in 1972, is 135 miles and was the first national river in the United States. You can paddle the river through the towering bluffs or hike the trails. Anyone seeking more excitement can go zip lining for an unforgettable adventure. There are few amenities, though it does have vault toilets.
National Forests Near Steelville, Missouri
The southern Missouri portion of Mark Twain National Forest covers over 3 million acres. Visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, and off-highway vehicle riding throughout the forest. That’s just the beginning because you can also go mountain biking, horseback riding, canoeing, and kayaking. It’s an ideal area for wilderness and semi-primitive camping. This forest has lots of hills and a forested landscape. It is mainly in the rural areas of Missouri.
Shawnee National Forest offers hiking adventures where you can enjoy natural land bridges and stunning waterfalls. You can see the Ohio River while hiking. Kids seem to enjoy exploring caves at this site. Heron Pond is a popular area because of its diverse wildlife. Fishing, hunting, horseback riding, boating, and camping are among the activities that make Shawnee National Forest a nice place to visit. The Lake Glendale Recreation Area is centrally located and offers showers and flush toilets for campers. Tall pine trees surround this campground, and it has picnic areas.
Ozark and St. Francis National Forests are two separate forests with clear mountain streams and woodlands within their 1.2 million acres. Available adventures within this picturesque site include camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, picnicking, and horseback riding. You can choose from several RV camping areas, like Blanchard Springs Recreation Area offering flush toilets, hot showers, drinking water, and dump stations. Bear Creek Lake Recreation Area also provides flush toilets, hot showers, and drinking water for campers. Some sites have seasonal hours that you should confirm in advance.