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4 out of 5 Rider Rating 4
12 Reviews

Hwy 21 South to Elephant Rock State Park

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on May 31, 2005

Rider Reviews

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Guest
April 20, 2010
Take 21 south make a right going east on 8 in…
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Moe-Moe
17 McR Points
March 12, 2012
This is one of my favorite local routes but if…
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Written Directions

The route starts on hwy 21 in the south west part of St Louis (near towns like Arnold or Mehlville). I suggest you get on I-270 and take exit #2 (Tesson Ferry Road/Highway 21) and take Highway 21 south. The route starts as you pass through Paulina Hills, MO and continues south as you pass through Hillsboro, through Washington State Park, through Potosi, Belleview, and ends at Elephant Rock State Park. You can continue if you like what you've seen so far, down to Johnsons' Shut-ins state park.

Scenery

Leaving south from St. Louis you quickly hit 2 lane winding road with a relaxed feel. Many turn-offs allow exploring the start of the Missouri ozarks. Elephant Rock State Park and a few miles further Johnsons' Shut-ins State Park are great place to relax and hike or take a dip in the river.

Drive Enjoyment

Just outside St. Louis the road has a bit of traffic. But after that it thins out and the road has a nice number of turns and elevation changes. Got to watch a few of the turns as you never know what's stopped ahead.

Tourism Opportunities

Small town diners and ice cream shops along the way. And as always a bar or two.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather . - Missouri Division of Tourism (314-751-4133).
 

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mchance
May 11, 2020
899 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
One of the best motorcycle roads in Missouri. Definitely take "Old Route 21" from Hwy 141 to Hillsboro, instead of the new limited access highway (although the scenery is pretty good on that road, as well). Traffic can be heavy between St. Louis County and at least Hillsboro, and often as far south as Potosi or even Ironton. But the road is terrific for a morning or afternoon relaxing ride (it's one of my "go to" routes for a "mental health" excursion). Early morning/sunrise, evening dusk/sunset or after dark, the road can still live up to the "Blood Alley" epithet, with fog when the conditions are right, blinding headlights coming around turns unexpectedly, and blind driveways entering the highway, so be aware of other traffic on the road.
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LEO573
July 21, 2020
26 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Stop at Elephant Rock and Walk around
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DJDehne
June 24, 2021
29 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Nice ride down the Arcadia Valley. Washington State Park is a beautiful place, well worth the detour to ride through it, and Elephant Rocks is impressive.
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