Bollinger Mill State Historic Site Guide

Have you ever been to the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site in Missouri before?

This quiet and scenic historical site can be found right off Highway 34 near Burfordville, Missouri. It features a museum, an old mill site, a scenic creek, plenty of signage, and even a hiking trail. Most people pass this amazing historical gem up and really miss out.

In this guide, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about visiting and enjoying the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site.

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Trail Snapshot

Important trail information that you should know:

• Location: Bollinger Mill State Historic Site
• Trail Length: 0.6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 90 feet
• Type: Out-and-Back
• Average Time: 0.5 hours
• Difficulty: Easy
• Pets Allowed: No
• Restrooms: Yes
• Parking: Plenty
• Road Conditions: Paved road, gravel parking lot
• Best Seasons: All Seasons

PRO TIP: Towards the back of the parking area is a small cemetery trail. Take it. It’s a nice little 0.6-mile out-and-back hike to a historical cemetery attached to the mill’s history. Visit the mill on a cooler day (not really hot like we did) so you can see all the floors.

Why the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site is Worth Visiting

The Bollinger Mill State Historic Site is really a hidden historical gem that everyone should try to experience.

This site pre-dates the Civil War, which makes it extremely historical. The state acquired the land and turned it into a park in 1967, and now visitors can enjoy tours, hiking, picnicking, and even fishing along the creek. It also has one of the last covered bridges in the area and has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The Bollinger Mill State Historic Site features a rich and interesting historical timeline:

• George Frederick Bollinger acquired the land in 1797 and, in 1800, started building the log dam.
• In 1825, Bollinger rebuilt the mill and dam using limestone.
• In 1842, Bollinger passed away, and his children operated the mill until the Union Army burned it down during the Civil War.
• It was rebuilt to specifications in 1867 by Solomon R Burford.
• In 1897, the Cape County Milling Company ran the mill until 1953, when it was sold to members of the Bollinger Family.
• After that, it eventually became state land and opened to the public.

If you enjoy sightseeing, covered bridges, old mill sites, old cemeteries, and historical gems, then you need to visit the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site in Burfordville, Missouri.

Trail Map + Directions

The Bollinger Mill State Historic Site in Burfordville, Missouri, is very easy to get to.

From Jackson, Missouri:

• Take MO-72 for 1.5 miles.
• Turn left on MO-34 W and take it for 5 miles.
• Turn left on State Highway OO
• Continue straight on State Highway HH
• Turn right onto Bollinger Mill Road
• You’ll shortly reach the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site.

You can also use this Google Maps Link to get to the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site from Jackson, Missouri.

All roads leading to the site are paved. The parking lot is gravel but kept in very good condition. There are plenty of parking spaces available, including handicap spaces.

During wintry and flash flooding conditions, this area may be inaccessible. Please check with the Park Office at 573-243-4591 before you visit to ensure it is open, no matter what the weather conditions.

If you’re coming from Southern Illinois or another farther away destination, I suggest you take backroads all the way to this site for a very quiet, pleasant, and scenic drive around rural Missouri.

What You’ll See at the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site

The Bollinger Mill State Historic Site is a small site with a lot to see, which is why you need to go visit it if you haven’t yet.

For starters, there is a 4-story brick mill built in 1867 that serves as the museum. It’s free to enter, and you can usually explore each story depending on the temperatures outside. They have a gift shop inside, and I recommend you bring some cash and get yourself some cool merchandise and keepsakes. There are tons of artifacts and historical signage in the museum, and you can even go down into the basement to see the mill area, which was really neat.

Guided tours are $4 for children and $5 for adults.

An 1858-1868 covered bridge also exists at the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site. You can walk all the way through it and enjoy seeing how it was made. This bridge is the oldest of four surviving covered bridges in the state of Missouri, and that’s worth visiting alone.

There is a beautiful creek that runs through the site and a mill called Upper Whitewater Creek. There are a lot of scenic views of the creek and plenty of access for you to see it. When we visited, quite a few people were fishing at the creek.

There are plenty of places to have a picnic at the site. The picnic areas even have grills that visitors can use. It’s free to use the picnic area at Bollinger Mill State Historic Site.

There is a short trail at the back of the property that leads to a very historic cemetery attached to the history of the mill. It’s around 0.6 miles with 90 feet of elevation gain, and it’s an out-and-back with a nice hill to climb up at the start. I recommend you stay on the trail (it’s a wide trail) as stinging nettle grows wild on each side of the path, and that doesn’t feel good to rub up against.

How Difficult is the Cemetery Trail at Bollinger Mill State Historic Site

The Cemetery Trail at the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site is fairly easy to moderate for some people.

I say moderate for some people because there is a hill at the start that goes up to the cemetery, and that might be difficult for some people. The trail is mainly dirt, and there are so many uneven areas along the way. The elevation gain is around 90 feet.

The trail itself is a 0.6-mile out-and-back (a little over a half mile in length to and from the cemetery).

As I said before, stay on the trail at all times. The beginning of the trail is wide, but there is stinging nettle on each side of the trail. If you get into that stuff, it can be pretty painful.

Best Time to Visit the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site

I think any time would be best to visit the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site as long as the roads are passable and you’re able to reach the site.

In the spring, you can enjoy wildflower and easter flower blooms around the site and cemetery area. In the summer, everything is green, and there is plenty of wildlife to view. The fall is going to give you colors and scenic views. Winter is nice because you can see everything, and some snow and ice would probably make the area look pretty magical.

Just remember to call the Park Office at 573-243-4591 before you visit to make sure the site is open to visitors.

What to Bring on This Visit

Since the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site is small and the trail is very short, you typically don’t need to bring all 10 essentials of hiking.

I would at least bring comfortable footwear, breathable clothing for the season, plenty of water, and a snack just in case you need to fuel up.

You definitely want to bring a camera with you to take photos and videos of the area.

Safety Notes and Warnings

Please make sure you follow the rules when visiting the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site.

• Children must accompany responsible adults at all times.
• No outside food or drinks are allowed in the mill building.
• Smoking is prohibited on this site.
• Pets are prohibited from this site.
• Guided tours are limited to 10 people in a group and last for 45 minutes.
• The site is for day use only.
• The site is closed on Mondays and most holidays.

Please use common sense when visiting the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site. Put safety first, watch your step, and don’t do anything that would risk your safety during your visit.

Photography Tips

The Bollinger Mill State Historic Site is an excellent area for photography and video.

I am not sure if drones are allowed at this site. Please call the Park Office at 573-243-4591 and ask before bringing and using a drone at this site. Note that using a drone in restricted areas can result in criminal charges.

There is a lot to photo and video at the mill, creek, cemetery, and covered bridge locations around this site.

Nearby Trails to Hike

There are a few hiking trails located near the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site that you might want to check out.

Cape Woods Conservation Area has a trail that runs through it where you can hike, jog, and bike.

Tywappity Community Lake offers a hiking trail around the entire lake.

Trail of Tears State Park also offers some good hiking trails. We have hiked the Mississippi Overlook Platform (very short and ADA-friendly), the Shepard Point Trail (very hilly), and the Peewah Trail (longer and more wilderness-like), and enjoyed them very much. They also have a really nice welcome center and gift shop.

You could easily hike some of these trails and add the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site for a side stop and make a day out of it.

Who is the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site Best For?

The Bollinger Mill State Historic Site is great for just about anyone who likes sightseeing, shorter activities, and history.

The area is not completely ADA-compliant. However, there are some areas that would be accessible to wheelchair users and people with mobility issues.

This would be a great location for families with children wanting to learn more about the area’s history. Historians would also love this area, especially the museum and covered bridge site.

If you like shorter hikes that are a little challenging, the cemetery trail would definitely be for you.

What To Do Near the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site

The nearby city of Jackson, Missouri, has plenty of activities to do and is very close to the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site.

If you need lodging in the area, dining options, and things to do, Jackson has you covered.

Final Verdict for the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site

My wife and I really enjoyed visiting the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site.

The museum was very educational. The staff was extremely friendly and didn’t care to cater to us on a day when the humidity was over 100 degrees. The covered bridge and cemetery trail were also very fun adventures to enjoy.

I recommend visiting this site if you’ve never been before. I also think it would be a great site to visit during every season. Each season probably has something new to offer to visitors.

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And until next time, I’ll see you on the trail!

Watch the videos for this trail!

Below is a recent video that we filmed while enjoying this area.

Check out the trail gallery!

Enjoy these photos taken around this area!