Boone’s Lick State Historic Site preserves one of Missouri’s most significant frontier landmarks — the salt lick that drew Daniel Boone’s sons, Nathan and Daniel Morgan Boone, to establish a commercial salt-making operation in the early 1800s. Spread across 51 acres in Howard County, this compact historic site packs an outsized story into a short, rewarding visit.

The salt springs here weren’t just a curiosity — they were an economic engine. Salt was essential for preserving meat on the frontier, and the Boone brothers’ operation helped fuel westward expansion along what became known as the Boone’s Lick Trail, a major migration route into central Missouri. Interpretive signs along the trail walk you through this history as you hike down to the still-bubbling salt springs, where mineral-rich water continues to seep from the bluffs just as it did two centuries ago.

The short trail to the springs winds through bottomland forest along a creek, making it accessible for families and casual walkers. Birding is solid in the wooded corridors, and the wildflower displays in spring are worth the trip alone. Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the textured limestone outcroppings near the springs.

Spring and fall deliver the most comfortable conditions, with autumn color reflecting beautifully off the creek. Summer visits work but bring mosquito repellent — the bottomland stays damp. There are no camping facilities on-site, but nearby Arrow Rock State Historic Site offers additional lodging and dining options just a few miles away.

Explore Nearby

• Mark Twain National Forest — National Forest in Missouri
• Union Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Missouri
• Sandy Creek Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Missouri
• Thousand Hills State Park — Dark Sky Site in Missouri
• Stacy Park — Dark Sky Site in Missouri