BOONE’S LICK STATE HISTORIC SITE
Edge Wade, spring 2016
51.17 acres Howard Co. DeLorme 30, I-1
GPS: 39.0819404,-92.874276
DNR owned; for more information call (660) 837-3330
Directions: From Boonville, cross into Howard County on the Boone’s Lick Bridge over the Missouri River on MO 5/US 40/MO 87. Shortly beyond the bridge, turn left to stay on MO 87. Go about 10 miles to a left turn onto MO 187. Go 2.1 miles to the entrance. NOTE: as of spring 2016, the right turn entrance into the site is only .3 mile beyond the sign on 187 that says it is one mile ahead. If you hit gravel, you’ve just past the entrance road.
ADA Information: The kiosk and picnic area are accessible
(including table space suitable for wheelchairs). The trail 3/8-mile trail down to the
saltworks has a steep grade that includes a section of dirt/chat filled steps
boxed in with railroad ties. Step risers
average about 12 inches.
When to
Visit/Species to Expect: Most
visits here have been in spring and fall. Summer and winter records are woefully sparse. Six species of warbler have been
reported. Summer Tanager, Orchard
Oriole, Rose-breasted and Blue Grosbeak, and Dickcissel are among summer
sightings. Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned
and Ruby-Crowned Kinglets stop here in migration, and least one Red-breasted
Nuthatch has dropped in. This is a very
good area for woodpeckers.
Features of
interest to birders: A small pond on the left
just after the entrance may harbor dabblers or a wader. The entrance road can be walked to bird the
grass and woods ecotone.
The area around the parking lot, kiosk and picnic shelter is open
and gives good views into the surrounding upland woods.
The trail down to and through the saltworks is good for viewing
creek bottom species and for a peek into the hillside of the upper spring
complex.
Toilets: 1 vault toilet
Camping: None. A picnic shelter seats about 40 people
Hazards/Limitations: The trail to the lower
saltworks area is steep (see above). A
saltwater species of mosquito may be bothersome in summer.
Nearby Birding
Sites: Peters*, D.C. Rogers* and Ricketts Lake
(Fayette), Stump Island Access (Glasgow), Franklin Island CA*. Arrow Rock SHS* is close on the map, but a
long way around by road.
Birders’ Guides available
