Blue Spring

Blue Spring is the 6th largest spring in Missouri and produces 90 million gallons of water per day that flow into the Current River. It is 310 feet deep which is deep enough to cover the Statue of Liberty. It is the deepest known spring in Missouri.

The Osage Indians called it Do-Ge-Ke-Thabo-Bthi meaning “Spring of the Summer Sky”. According to legend traced the origin of the spring to a battle for the hand of the local Osage Chiefs daughter. Which resulted in a deathbed vision of the daughter (who had been confined to a cave so she would not flee) seeing her dying suitor come in a rush of blue water.

Blue Springs is located off of Highway 106, 12 miles east of Eminence. When driving to a point of interest in the Ozarks you can expect the ride to be as interesting as the site you are headed to. Make sure to take note of the old barns, endless trees and tiny family cemeteries that make the trip so much more memorable.

Look for a sign that says Blue Springs, turn down a gravel road for three miles of stunning forest. The end of the road has a parking lot, picnic benches and restroom facilities. There is a .4-mile walk to the springhead. The trail is very easy to navigate; even a wheel chair could handle it. The trail follows the bank of the Current River on the right with many underwater plants and fish. On the left is thick foliage filled with wild life and birds such as the Swainson’s warbler, American redstart, northern parula, kingfisher, red shouldered hawk, ovenbird, wood thrush and yellow throated warbler. The forest is filled with a multitude of trees including Sycamore Box Elders and River Birch covered in green moss. Intertwined are vines and colorful wildflowers.

Upon arrival to the springhead expect to be amazed by the magnificent indigo blue water that is created from the water excavating the earths limestone and dololmite. A combination of the minerals and depth of the spring is what creates the richness of the blue.

Conveniently there are two wooden walkways built out so that you can take a close up view or view from the cliff above into the deep abyss. The water remains undisturbed and clear which allows you to see the depth.

Belinda Zasio is a freelance writer/photographer from Los Angeles, CA.