Travel north from Bonne Terre 5 miles on U.S. 67 to the park entrance on the east side of the road. Maidenhair ferns grow in moist, shaded ravines and on wooded slopes. They can be found throughout the state, except for the Bootheel. The waters of Pickle Springs flow through enchanting natural areas and a state park, dense with rare plants, animals and geologic features. Hike the Trail Through Time at Pickle Springs Natural Area for a 2-mile journey past waterfalls, rock shelters, a double arch, towering bluffs, canyons and amazing rock outcrops.
Spring is the best time to see waterfalls and wild azaleas, which bloom at both areas.
During the summer, rattlesnake plantain and six other orchids, partridge berry, farkleberry and lowbush blueberry bloom and display their fruit. During your visit, notice the shortleaf pine, Missouri's only native pine tree. Moist soils along Pickle and Bone creeks and River aux Vases grow many ferns and rare plants, including cinnamon fern, maidenhair fern, hay-scented fern and club moss. Woodland songbirds move about in the trees and shrubs along the trail. Watch for fence lizards, five-lined skinks, box turtles and leopard frogs among the rocks in summer.