Steelville, MO

Tucked into the Ozark foothills at the junction of Highway 8 and Highway 19, Steelville is best known as the Floating Capital of Missouri. Life here revolves around the outdoors, especially once the weather warms up. With the Meramec River, Huzzah Creek, and Courtois Creek all right nearby, the town becomes a lively hub for kayakers, rafters, campers, and anglers drawn to some of the clearest spring-fed waters in the state.

ATTRThe original uploader was Americasroof at English Wikipedia . / CC BY-SA 3.0

Off the water, Steelville has an easygoing, close-knit small-town charm. The historic downtown features locally owned shops, family diners, and antique stores where neighbors regularly run into one another. Live music is also a big part of the local scene, thanks to shows at the Meramec Music Theatre and intimate concerts at the historic Wildwood Springs Lodge. For anyone looking for a quiet pace surrounded by wooded hills, great fishing, and endless river weekends, Steelville offers a classic Ozark lifestyle.