Edward "Ted" and Pat Jones - Confluence Point State Park

It's amazing how many people have lived their entire lives in the St. Louis area and have never once seen where the Mississippi and Missouri rivers meet just a few miles north of the city. Well, not too surprising since the Confluence Point State Park where the rivers meet used to be private property until fairly recently.

Now you can visit this park at the confluence to see exactly where the rivers meet. You'll notice the more muddy waters of the faster flowing Missouri River compared to the Mississippi River which is dammed upstream at Alton. Its a nice little walk (10 minutes?) from the parking lot on a concrete pathway along the Missouri River to the confluence. I've pushed a wheelchair here without too much effort.

The road leading to Confluence Point State Park is a rock road and will probably remain that way since the area often floods. Also, be sure to check ahead to make sure the park is open since it is closed during times of high water. At the parking lot, there are non-flush toilets plus a small open pavilion with informational boards about the area.

You can easily find the entrance leading to the rivers. Its at the gas station closest to the Missouri side of the Clark Bridge (Mississippi River) which connects to Alton, Illinois. From there, you can follow the signs to Confluence Point State Park. But be aware that most of the drive is through private farm land, so please respect private property by not stopping along the farm fields.