Hwy 21 South to Elephant Rock State Park

Motorcycle Roads & Rides > Routes > United States > Missouri

Average Rating - This road has been rated by 5 visitors

State: Missouri
Date Submitted: June 1, 2005
Submitted by: Anonymous
Motorcycle Road Length: 150 Miles

Written Directions

The
route starts on hwy 21 in the south west part of St Louis
(near towns like Arnold or Mehlville). I suggest you get
on I-270 and take exit #2 (Tesson Ferry Road/Highway 21)
and take Highway 21 south. The route starts as you pass
through
Paulina Hills, MO and continues south as you pass through
Hillsboro, through Washington State Park, through Potosi,
Belleview, and ends at Elephant
Rock State Park. You can continue if you like what you've
seen so far, down to Johnsons'
Shut-ins state park.

Scenery

Leaving south from St. Louis you quickly hit 2 lane winding road with a relaxed feel. Many turn-offs allow exploring the start of the Missouri ozarks. Elephant Rock State Park and a few miles further Johnsons' Shut-ins State Park are great place to relax and hike or take a dip in the river.

Road Quality

Just outside St. Louis the road has a bit of traffic. But after that it thins out and the road has a nice number of turns and elevation changes. Got to watch a few of the turns as you never know what's stopped ahead.

Roadside Amenities

Small town diners and ice cream shops along the way. And as always a bar or two.

Additional Info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather . - Missouri Division of Tourism (314-751-4133).

Nickname (optional) Anonymous

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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
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: This is one of my favorite local routes but if you like twisties you have to take the time to detour at Potosi (Hwy 8) and hit Hwy P, Hwy DD & Hwy 32 back to Hwy 21. You won't regret it!!
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Reviewed by Guest on April 20, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Kerry
motorcycle_year: 2008
motorcycle_make: Suzuki
motorcycle_type: Sport
Comment: Take 21 south make a right going east on 8 in potosi. Then make a quick left on p heading south again and take that to highway c. Then make a left this will take you back to 21 north. P is an awesome place to try your twisty skill. talk about hills and hard corners. This will test all riding abilities guaranteed.
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Reviewed by Guest on June 30, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: ADS
motorcycle_year: 2006
motorcycle_make: Kawasaki
motorcycle_type: Sport
Comment: Route P out of Potosi--Wonderful twisties!! As the previous commentator wrote---you can get back on 21 and continue onto Elephant Rock. After you gas up in Potosi--grab a bite at Peppers Restaurant before you catch P. Past the P turnoff--make a left between the funeral home and library on Route 8--in Bear Paw Plaza (shopping strip). Great burgers and "blue plate specials". Nice, clean big bathrooms and you can get a booth with a full view of the parking lot so you can keep one eye on your bike while munching down! If you have time after you do the P thing--and get back on 21 to Elephant Rock--you can do what we did and make a run to St. Genevieve-- back on 21 --to Route W (signs say NN) to 32 to Farmington--cross over Interstate 55. We tried to catch the Ferry across to Illinois (where we started) but alas were too late and missed the darn thing. Drowned our sorrows at Sara's Ice cream parlor in St. Genevieve at 124 Merchant Street Historic District and pulled out the tattered Missouri Map--did NOT want to go back up to do the 270/255 Tesson Ferry Road thing. Saw a bridge over at Chester-Illinois (home of the Popeye Statue) Ah haw--another way to cross the Mississippi!!! Took 61 south then route H (very nice--scenic--mild turns) then NORTH 51 to Illinois. A sweet ride for a mid summer 'd day!
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Reviewed by Guest on September 16, 2008 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Ike
motorcycle_year: 2001
motorcycle_make: BMW
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: Hwy 21 is very nice. But if you want a diversion with tighter twisties and good pavement, I enjoy jumping off at Potosi (West on Rt 8, a good place to get gas) and then immediately turning left onto Hwy P heading out of town. This will turn into Hwy DD. Turn left at Hwy 32 which will take you back to Hwy 21 just North of the park.
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Reviewed by Guest on February 5, 2008 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Aaron
motorcycle_year: 2007
motorcycle_make: Yamaha
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: Very nice ride with quite a few hills and nice scenery. Minimal traffic (except around Hillsboro and Potosi). Try it in the Fall when the leaves are changing - good stuff.
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