Check out this handy list of things to see and do in and around Thayer, Missouri!
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Spring RiverDistance: 3 miles
Spring River has been described as the state's most dependable natural stream. Mammoth Spring, flowing at over nine million gallons of 58-degree water per hour, serves as the headwaters for the river and provides plenty of fresh water throughout the year. The river is crystal-clear, with long pools and whitewater falls. The scenery is mostly hardwood forest with some rocky bluffs. The constant flow from Mammoth Spring makes the Spring River one of the state's best year-round floats even during the summer months when river levels tend to fall.
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Mammoth Spring
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Grand Gulf State ParkDistance: 10 miles
Some people call Grand Gulf State Park the “Little Grand Canyon.” Some just call it “breathtaking.” The park is one of the natural wonders of the Ozarks, presenting the most spectacular collapsed cave system in the Ozarks. The "Grand Gulf" stretches for more than a mile between 130 foot high walls. Visitors can view the gulf from trails on top or from the floor where they can walk under the natural bridge, which spans 250 feet with a 75-foot high opening. There is no official trail leading to the bottom so visitors should use extreme caution when attempting to access the bottom. Interpretive trails detail the formation of the gulf.
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FishingDistance: 3 miles
The Spring River is less than 2 miles from Thayer, MO. It rated one of the top streams in the state for trout and walleye. Many areas of the upper Spring River are also popular with fly fishermen. There are several public launch facilities available along the Mammoth Spring-Hardy stretch of the river (17 miles). Spring River is unique among Arkansas trout streams; its cold water comes naturally from a spring rather than artificially from deep within a man-made lake. Every hour, Mammoth Spring releases nine million gallons of 58-degree water, and the river stays cold enough to support a good trout population for 10 miles downstream.
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Mammoth Spring State ParkDistance: 2 miles
Mammoth Spring is Arkansas's largest spring and the second largest spring in the Ozark Mountains. A National Natural Landmark, the spring flows nine million gallons of water hourly. Forming a scenic 10-acre lake, it then flows south as the Spring River, a popular Ozark trout and float stream. Located near the spring, the park's 1886 Frisco depot will take you back in time to an early 1900s train station. Parked just outside the train station is a Frisco caboose to explore, too. Kayaking, pedal boats, a playground and a hiking trail are available. Be sure to stop by the welcome center and pick up some free literature about Arkansas. There is also a robust gift shop with unique gifts.
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FloatingDistance: 2 miles
Spring River has been described as the state's most dependable natural stream. Mammoth Spring, flowing at over nine million gallons of 58-degree water per hour, serves as the headwaters for the river and provides plenty of fresh water throughout the year. The river is crystal-clear, with long pools and whitewater falls. The scenery is mostly hardwood forest with some rocky bluffs. The constant flow from Mammoth Spring makes the Spring River one of the state's best year-round floats even during the summer months when river levels tend to fall.
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Greer SpringDistance: 24 miles
The second largest spring in Missouri, Greer Spring flows into the Eleven Point National Scenic River, and actually doubles the size of the river! Starting at the base of a steep, shaded ravine, Greer Spring averages over 200 million gallons of water per day. From the parking area alongside MO Scenic Hwy 19, a 0.9 mile trails leads visitors through the forest and down to a viewing platform overlooking the spring. The trails descends approx 250 feet from the trailhead to the platform, at a fairly gentle gradient.
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NEED SOME IDEAS?
Recommended Day Trips
For the Adventurer
Rent a Kayak and float the Spring River |
For the Family
Visit Mammoth Spring State Park |
For the Ladies
Shop 'til you drop in Thayer, Mammoth Spring and Hardy |