One of the most significant natural features in Missouri, Greer Spring, is the second largest spring in the state with a mean daily discharge of approximately 210 million gallons/day. The trailhead is located 18 miles south of Winona and 8 miles north of Alton on MIssouri Highway 19 about 1.5 miles south of the Highway 19 bridge that crosses the Eleven Point River and just north of the tiny town of Greer.
The United States National Forest Service maintains the trail to the spring. A parking area on the side of Highway 19 provides parking for the trail. Visitors to the spring are common despite a mile-long hike. The trail is well marked and easy to follow, there is an elevation change to reach the spring however the hike is fairly easy.
Greer Spring also has the longest spring branch of all the first magnitude springs in the state, flowing just over a mile before entering the Eleven Point River. This is a state and nationally significant geologic feature of a phreatic spring.
In addition to the geologic significance of Greer Spring, it is a significant aquatic natural community supporting a diverse assemblage of native fish species and aquatic invertebrates, including some species of conservation concern such as the cold-water crayfish.
The flora of the spring branch and associated Ozark fens is diverse as well. Greer Spring is critically important to the hydrology of the Eleven Point River, a National Wild and Scenic River.
This is a fun hike and the trip down to the spring and back took just about 90 minutes. The trail is very well maintained and the spring and area surrounding it are gorgeous! Other nearby attractions include Big Springs and Grand Gulf State Park.
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