You usually need a boat to get to this Missouri landmark. Now it’s dry enough to walk

Nestled in the middle of the Mississippi River is a 400-million-year-old rock formation that’s typically only reachable by boat, according to Missouri officials.

But as water levels drop during the drought, a path to this state landmark has been exposed.

Now lots of people are journeying to the formation by foot.

Tower Rock Natural Area includes 32 acres of trees, mostly on the Missouri bank of the river, and a “vertical geologic formation known as ‘Tower Rock’ in the river channel.”

While Tower Rock can usually only be accessed by a boat, the “large limestone outcrop” has been accessible by foot before, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation. This happens when the Mississippi River hits “extremely low” water levels.

Visitors can typically reach it by foot if the water level is below 1.5 feet at the Mississippi River’s Chester gauge. On Oct. 21, the water level was below 1 foot.

This has made Tower Rock “a pretty popular location lately,” state officials said in a Facebook post. Photos shared by the conservation department show groups of tourists reaching the formation by walking across an uncovered rock path.

“We want folks to enjoy Tower Rock,” Southeast Regional Administrator Matt Bowyer said in a news release. “But the parking lot of the actual area is relatively small, so space is limited. If you are parking along the county road to access the area, please remember to not further restrict access to other visitors or neighboring landowners.”

Visitors are asked not to climb the rock formation due to safety reasons.

If you visit, Missouri Department of Conservation asks that you also:

• Do not park or walk on railroad tracks
• Leave the vegetation alone
• Be careful while exploring the formation
• Bring all your belongings and trash back

“The Mississippi River is still a very dangerous waterbody, even during low conditions,” Bowyer said. “Please use caution.”

Tower Rock is usually about 60 feet above the river level, experts said. It was designated as a natural area in 1972. Road access to the natural area is difficult when the Chester gauge reaches 32 feet.

Elainna Froemsdorf is one of many who has taken advantage of the low river to visit Tower Rock, according to KFVS. She took her grandchildren with her, making this a family tradition.

“They’re the third generation,” she told the news outlet. “I’ve walked across and gone around Tower Rock, my daughter got to cross and go around Tower Rock and now my grandchildren have gotten to walk across and go around Rower Rock.”

Tower Rock is in Perry County, about 100 miles south of downtown St. Louis.

This story was originally published October 21, 2022 at 2:09 PM with the headline "You usually need a boat to get to this Missouri landmark. Now it’s dry enough to walk."