Hunting
The Arcadia Valley Area has some of the best hunting land in Missouri. With the various terrain of the St. Francois Mountains and Ozark Valleys brimming with forests, rivers, lakes and streams; this diverse habitat provides homes for a multitude of wildlife.
The Iron county section of the Mark Twain National forests are some of the best hunting grounds in Missouri. Deer, turkey, quail, ducks, geese, rabbits, raccoons, and squirrels are just a few of the species that abound in these beautiful forests and lakes.
In addition, hog hunting in Iron County is quickly gaining popularity, with some of the best hog hunting areas in Missouri. The Missouri Department of Conservation has given open season year round on the hunting of feral hogs, with no permit requirements (except during turkey and deer seasons). This allows for open hunting on both private and public lands. There are groups in the area that are continually organizing hog hunts. Consider grabbing a few friends and coming to the Arcadia Valley area to help manage the feral hog population. We even have all of your needed hunting supplies at Arcadia Valley Sporting Goods, which boasts of having over 1900 guns in stock.
Staying at Fort Davidson Hotel keeps you in the center of these great hunting areas in Arcadia Valley. Experience a great day of hunting followed by a restful nights sleep. Happy Hunting!
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
Climb to the top of Taum Sauk Mountain State Park and be on top of Missouri – literally. The park’s 7,500 acres include the highest point in the state. Located in the St. Francois Mountains, the park’s glades provide a beautiful, solitary experience for hikers. A series of trails, including a portion of the Ozark Trail, wind through the park’s picturesque setting and provide awesome views of the surrounding countryside; including the state’s tallest waterfall & its deepest valley which can all be seen on an afternoon hike. 
(8 miles south on Hwy 21, then take Hwy CC)
The park has a rustic campground, a paved trail to the highpoint, picnic facilities, and a lookout tower from which a good view can be had; the dense forest on the mountain obscures the view from most other vantage points.
Mina Sauk Falls, the highest waterfall in Missouri, is on Taum Sauk and can be visited by hiking a rugged trail that makes a three-mile (5 km) loop from the highpoint parking area. The falls have cascading waters only during times of wet weather; at other times they are reduced to a trickle or less.
The Taum Sauk Section of the Ozark Trail is 35 miles long and runs through the heart of the ancient St. Francois Mountains. One of the most popular and scenic portions of the Taum Sauk Section is the 14.5 miles between Taum Sauk Mountain State Park and Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park. This rugged portion of trail through two state parks winds across mountains of oak-hickory woodland dotted with shortleaf pine trees, bluffs and rocky glades.
Head south on State Route 21 from Arcadia, Missouri for about 4 and a half miles. Turn right onto Highway CC which is signed for Taum Sauk Mountain State Park. Along Highway CC you will see an Adopt-A-Highway sign listing the highpointers club and it’s founder Jack Longacre who apparently lived in this area. After a few miles the pavement will end near a fork in the road. To the left is a lookout tower with wonderful views, to the right is Taum Sauk Mountain State Park. Once in the park there will be a viewing platform on the right side of the road that includes a panoramic photo labeling the peaks and valleys before you. At the end of the road is parking for many vehicles.
