St. Louis / Il Bluffs / MO Mining Country Loop

Motorcycle Roads & Rides > Routes > United States > Missouri

Average Rating - This road has been rated by 3 visitors

State: Missouri
Date Submitted: August 1, 2009
Submitted by: Noel Moss
Motorcycle Road Length: 208 Miles

Written Directions

Cross the Poplar Street Bridge from St. Louis to Illinois and take the first exit on the right to Route 3. In Dupo, cut off to a parallel rouad through town and continue South to Columbia. Pick up the Bluff Road to Prairie du Rocher and Modoc just past the Route 3 overpass. The Modoc Ferry to Ste. Genevieve, MO costs $6 for motorcycle/trike and riders. Follow the signs in Ste. Genevieve to Missouri Rt. 61 but then cut off on Route 32 West when you get near I-55. Take Route 32 West to Route 21 North. Route 21 becomes Tesson Ferry Road in St. Louis County.

Scenery

After riding through about 10 miles of industrial wasteland in East St. Louis, Cahokia and Dupo, the route follows the Mississippi River flood plain below the river bluffs from Columbia, IL to Prairie du Rocher, IL. Nice flat road in Illinois with good views of the fertile bottom land. Stop at Ft. Chartres State Park (colonial era restored French/British fort). Great place for a picnic lunch. Continue along the Bluff Road to the Modoc Ferry to Ste. Genevieve, MO. Beautiful rolling hills and gentle curves along Missouri routes 32 and 21, passing through the lead mining region, before returning to St. Louis.

Pack a picnic lunch if you plan to do this trip in one day. Its an all day affair, at least 6 hours.

Road Quality

Flat along the Bluff Road in Illinois with a bit of loose gravel here and there and a couple of rough railroad crossings. Watch out for possible clearance issues on the Modoc Ferry loading ramps if you are on a trike.

Roadside Amenities

Amenities rating: Nothing along the Bluff Road in Illinois for the 50 mile stretch so fill up at the Shell station at the exit from Rt. 3 in Illinois if you are low on gas. Lots of places for food and fuel in Missouri. Check out the cafes in Ste. Genevieve. Consider spending a night at one of the B&Bs in town.

Additional Info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .

Nickname (optional) Noel Moss

Add a Photo Add a Video


Reviewed by Moe-Moe on March 13, 2012 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Moe-Moe
motorcycle_year: 2005
motorcycle_make: Yamaha V-Star 1100 Custom
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: This has become an annual ride for me. Bluff Rd from Columbia, IL to Prairie Du Rocher, IL is like a "right of passage" for local riders. This route in it's entirety allows you to enjoy several different types of landscapes; industrial waste-land of E. St. Louis (as mentioned), wide open farmland and huge bluffs on the IL side and tree-lined sweepers and twisties on the MO side. If you take the MoDoc ferry across the river to the historic town of Ste. Genevieve, MO consider stopping for lunch at the Anvil Restaurant & Saloon.
Was this review helpful? Yes \| No

Reviewed by Bikergrady on September 12, 2011 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Bikergrady
motorcycle_year: 1995
motorcycle_make: Harley Davidson FXSTSB
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: Good route, I ride the area all the time, great ride for seeing fall colors when the leaves start to change.
Was this review helpful? Yes \| No

Reviewed by Guest on December 6, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: tnfleming
Comment: This is a great route, popular and well-traveled. Two lane roads with pretty bluffs and farmland. No services really, but there is a bar/restaurant in prairie du rocher. Probably a little dangerous for sport bikers who drive fast since the roads are narrow with plenty of potential for a crash. That's why I love it.
Was this review helpful? Yes \| No