Marble Creek, which travels through the National Forest for about 20 miles, is
named for its colorful deposits of dolomite, which was mined and used as "Taum
Sauk Marble" many years ago.  

The mineral dolomite is the main component of the sedimentary rock that is
also called dolomite. It is similar to the mineral calcite but contains
magnesium as well as calcium. Just based on looks, the rock dolomite is often
impossible to distinguish from limestone, which is composed mainly of calcite.

Previously, a grist mill operated in the area operated until 1935. Remains of
the grist mill dam and building are still visible today.

The site is remote, with the nearest town about 20 minutes away and there is
no cell service.

This is a great campground to visit if you are looking for a quiet visit to
the forest. This is also a great place for swimming and fishing. Campsites are
shaded by the tall trees around the area. There are several Creekside sites
available.

Located in the campground is the main trailhead for the Marble Creek Section
of the Ozark Trail. The trailhead is across highway D, directly across from
the campground entrance.

Marble Creek, which travels through the National Forest for about 20 miles, is named for its colorful deposits of dolomite, which was mined and used as &quot;Taum Sauk Marble&quot; many years ago.&nbsp;&nbsp;The mineral dolomite is the main component of the sedimentary rock that is also called dolomite. It is similar to the mineral calcite but contains magnesium as well as calcium. Just based on looks, the rock dolomite is often impossible to distinguish from limestone, which is composed mainly of calcite.Previously, a grist mill operated in the area operated until 1935. Remains of the grist mill dam and building are still visible today.The site is remote, with the nearest town about 20 minutes away and there is no cell service.This is a great campground to visit if you are looking for a quiet visit to the forest. This is also a great place for swimming and fishing. Campsites are shaded by the tall trees around the area. There are several Creekside sites available.Located in the campground is the main trailhead for the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mtnf/recarea/?recid=21854" target="_blank">Marble Creek Section of the Ozark Trail</a>. The trailhead is across highway D, directly across from the campground entrance.

_**Campgrounds:**_

  * Single - $15.00/night

_**Day Use:**_

  * $5.00 per vehicle per day

There is a 50% discount for camping for anyone with an Interagency Access or
Senior Pass. Interagency passes cover the full day use fees, excluding busses.

Bird's eye view of the campground

Marble Creek Recreation Area

## Overview

Silver Mines Campground is located on the St. Francis River in the Mark Twain
National Forest. It offers a variety of recreational opportunities and
abundant historic and geological wonders.

## Recreation

Parts of the river are available for swimming, while other portions provide
good fishing. Whitewater kayaking is a popular activity during the springtime
when water runs high. Depending on water levels, the state holds an annual
kayaking competition the third weekend of March.  
  
The 2-mile Silver Mines Trail follows both sides of the river, leading to
various picnic areas. A 1.2-mile trail spurs to a popular conservation area,
where visitors can view spectacular rock formations along the river.

## Facilities

The campground offers dozens of single-family campsites, as well as large
group sites, all available for tent and RV camping. Some sites have 30-amp
electric hookups. The large group site can accommodate up to 74 people.
Additional sites are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.  
  
  
  
Picnic tables and campfire rings with grills are provided, as are accessible
vault toilets and drinking water. Parking spurs vary from asphalt, to grass,
to gravel or dirt.

## Natural Features

This beautiful area is located along the St. Francis River, the only river in
Missouri classified as a whitewater river. It is widely used for kayaking
during springtime. The campground is located at a historic mining operation
and is known for its Precambrian granite and felsite rocks. A variety of
wildlife makes its home in the area.

## Nearby Attractions

The Millstream Gardens Conservation Area is located eight miles west of
Fredericktown, or four miles west of the campground, on Highway 72. It is home
to the scenic Tiemann Shut-ins and other spectacular sights along the
riverbed.

<h2>Overview</h2>
Silver Mines Campground is located on the St. Francis River in the Mark Twain National Forest. It offers a variety of recreational opportunities and abundant historic and geological wonders. <h2>Recreation</h2>
Parts of the river are available for swimming, while other portions provide good fishing. Whitewater kayaking is a popular activity during the springtime when water runs high. Depending on water levels, the state holds an annual kayaking competition the third weekend of March.
 
The 2-mile Silver Mines Trail follows both sides of the river, leading to various picnic areas. A 1.2-mile trail spurs to a popular conservation area, where visitors can view spectacular rock formations along the river. <h2>Facilities</h2>
The campground offers dozens of single-family campsites, as well as large group sites, all available for tent and RV camping. Some sites have 30-amp electric hookups. The large group site can accommodate up to 74 people. Additional sites are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Picnic tables and campfire rings with grills are provided, as are accessible vault toilets and drinking water. Parking spurs vary from asphalt, to grass, to gravel or dirt.
<h2>Natural Features</h2>
This beautiful area is located along the St. Francis River, the only river in Missouri classified as a whitewater river. It is widely used for kayaking during springtime. The campground is located at a historic mining operation and is known for its Precambrian granite and felsite rocks. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area.
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
The Millstream Gardens Conservation Area is located eight miles west of Fredericktown, or four miles west of the campground, on Highway 72. It is home to the scenic Tiemann Shut-ins and other spectacular sights along the riverbed.

Kayakers Playing Around Old Minig Company Dam

Kayakers by old mining company dam on St. Francis river

Winter time view of St. Francis River

St. Francis River Uptream From Footbridge

Turkey Creek Picnic Area at Silver Mines

St Francis River

Footbridge Crossing St. Francis River

Hawk Perched on Sign at Silver Mines

Wading by Old Dam

Silver Mines

Silver Mines offers a variety of recreational opportunities and is abundant
with historic and geological wonders. This beautiful area is located along the
St. Francis River, the only river in Missouri classified as "white water," and
is used for kayaking during the spring high waters. People enjoy hiking and
fishing along the river throughout the year.

Silver Mines is located at a historic mining operation and is known for its
Precambrian granite and felsite rocks. Silver Mines Recreation Area is named
for the abandoned "Einstein Mine", which was mined for Silver, Tungsten and
Lead. The Einstein Silver Mining Company began mining in 1877, and mining
ceased completely in 1946.

Nearby visitors can visit other natural attractions in the area, including
Elephant Rocks State Park and Johnsons Shut-ins State Park.

Millstream Gardens Conservation Area, located up-river from Silver Mines, is
the put-in for those looking to experience the white water on the St. Francis
river.

This is a large recreation area, and particularly busy during the spring.
However, visitors who come during the fall months will be treated to
spectacular fall color along the St. Francis River.



_**Site Map**_

A printable Recreation Area Map.

Silver Mines offers a variety of recreational opportunities and is abundant with historic and geological wonders. This beautiful area is located along the <a href="https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/natural-areas/st-francis-river" target="_blank">St. Francis River</a>, the only river in Missouri classified as &quot;<a href="https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=07037500" target="_blank">white water</a>,&quot; and is used for kayaking during the spring high waters. People enjoy hiking and fishing along the river throughout the year.Silver Mines is located at a historic mining operation and is known for its Precambrian granite and felsite rocks. Silver Mines Recreation Area is named for the abandoned &ldquo;Einstein Mine&rdquo;, which was mined for Silver, Tungsten and Lead. The Einstein Silver Mining Company began mining in 1877, and mining ceased completely in 1946.Nearby visitors can visit other natural attractions in the area, including <a href="https://mostateparks.com/park/elephant-rocks-state-park" target="_blank">Elephant Rocks State Park</a> and <a href="https://mostateparks.com/park/johnsons-shut-ins-state-park" target="_blank">Johnsons Shut-ins State Park</a>.Millstream Gardens Conservation Area, located up-river from Silver Mines, is the put-in for those looking to experience the white water on the St. Francis river.This is a large recreation area, and particularly busy during the spring. However, visitors who come during the fall months will be treated to spectacular fall color along the St. Francis River.&nbsp;Site MapA printable <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5308202.pdf">Recreation Area Map</a>.

_**Day-Use Fee:**_

  * $5 per vehicle,
  * $10 per bus,
  * $40 for season pass;

_**Camping Fees:**_

  * $15 for single non-electric,
  * $25 for double non-electric, 
  * $20 for single electric,
  * $35 for double electric;

_**Group campsite**_

  * $50 to $100 depending upon number of campers.

Silver Mines Recreation Area

**In 2012** , The Mark Twain National Forest completed soil sampling in many
areas of Southeast Missouri lead mining area. A few recreation sites were
found to have elevated concentrations of lead, but there was not a clear trend
indicating where we would find lead.

In **Fall 2014** , we partnered with the Missouri Department of Natural
Resources to sample every campsite and day-use area at in the area for lead
(Pb) in surface soil and crushed rock, which led to the current action.

In the **Summer of 2015** , we capped contaminated areas at 100 campsites and
day use areas. The intent of this action is to reduce human contact with lead
in soils by putting down a layer of clean material that has low lead
concentrations. This project was a clean-up action under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and is
categorized as a Time Critical Removal Action

The Forest Service plans to review the protectiveness of a CERLCA Time
Critical Removal Action after elevated levels of lead (Pb) were discovered.
This protectiveness review will allow us to determine if any additional work
needs to be conducted at these sites.

The risks of lead exposure at these sites are generally considered to be low,
especially if you are only at these sites a couple of times a year.

Read More about the Five Year Review of Time Critical Removal Action

In 2012, The Mark Twain National Forest completed soil sampling in many areas of Southeast Missouri lead mining area. A few recreation sites were found to have elevated concentrations of lead, but there was not a clear trend indicating where we would find lead.In Fall 2014, we partnered with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to sample every campsite and day-use area at in the area for lead (Pb) in surface soil and crushed rock, which led to the current action.In the Summer of 2015, we capped contaminated areas at 100 campsites and day use areas. The intent of this action is to reduce human contact with lead in soils by putting down a layer of clean material that has low lead concentrations. This project was a clean-up action under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and is categorized as a Time Critical Removal ActionThe Forest Service plans to review the protectiveness of a CERLCA Time Critical Removal Action after elevated levels of lead (Pb) were discovered. This protectiveness review will allow us to determine if any additional work needs to be conducted at these sites.The risks of lead exposure at these sites are generally considered to be low, especially if you are only at these sites a couple of times a year.Read More about the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/marktwain/natural-resources/forest-health/time-critical-removal-action">Five Year Review of Time Critical Removal Action</a>

Marble Creek Recreation Area

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