An Unforgettable Ride Awaits in Pulaski County, MO
To ride the open road is to imbibe the spirit of adventure and freedom. No other road in American history has represented those ideals better than Historic Route 66, which has carried bikers from the Windy City to the sunny shores of the Pacific Ocean for 100 years.
In Pulaski County, MO, Route 66 offers the most breathtaking vistas you’ll pass through while cruising down the century-old pavement. Here, the highway twists and winds for an exhilarating ride through the rolling Ozark hills. Discover a collection of experiences that elevates your road trip from a quick ride to a lifelong memory.
Take the very geography that has enchanted residents—as well as visitors-turned-residents—for millennia. The rising peaks of the Ozarks plunge into verdant valleys where crystal-clear, spring-fed waters snake between the hills.
But the Big Piney and Gasconade rivers aren’t just some geological wonders. Locals and tourists alike find rest and recreation in these waters. They are a serene getaway from the daily grind of everyday life.
Let the currents wash your worries away and take a break from a roaring engine beneath you as you drift peacefully downstream aboard the vessel of your choosing: kayak, canoe, paddleboard, raft, or inner tube. Or, if you’re up for a different type of thrill, cast a line into the very same waters, where you’ll find some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in the country. One battle with these stubborn bronzebacks will have you hooked.
Local Flavor Abounds
To explore the Mother Road is to travel through time itself and experience the legendary tales that have defined these communities since Route 66 was commissioned in 1926. The 33 incredible miles of mid-century Americana in Pulaski County, MO, start in the small hamlet of Devils Elbow bound by the Big Piney River. Cruise over the historical steel truss bridge, dedicated in 1924, and immerse yourself in an eclectic mix of tie rafter legends, colorful characters, and an exhilarating view of the 200-foot bluffs along the river’s edge.
Continue west and encounter a one-of-a-kind checkpoint in the Uranus Towne Center. Home to the iconic Uranus Fudge Factory, as well as a sideshow museum, ice cream shop, and mini-golf course, this destination has long been defined by its out-of-this-world attractions and cheeky humor.
In the World War II boomtown of Saint Robert, get an up-close look at authentic, mid-century neon signs at the county’s newest attraction: Route 66 Neon Park at George M. Reed Roadside Park. The only destination of its kind in Missouri, this park features a collection of authentic, restored neon signs that once stood over the Show Me State’s portion of the Mother Road. Lovingly restored to their former glory, these signs create a dazzling spectacle when the sun sets, lighting up the night sky for Route 66 travelers just as they did generations ago.
Down the road in Waynesville, the kitschy Frog Rock welcomes bikers to this historical city, dubbed the Birthplace of the Byway. Then-governor John Ashcroft designated Missouri’s portion of Route 66 as a historic district on July 10, 1990, making Missouri the first state to pass such legislation.
Tour historical sites like the 1903 Courthouse Museum—one of two period courthouses along Route 66 in Missouri—and the Old Stagecoach Stop, an impressive structure built in the 1850s. The Old Stagecoach Stop was originally a stop for the Burden & Woodson stage route and later a Union hospital during the Civil War and temporary soldiers’ housing during World War II. Snap a selfie in front of the city’s eight-foot Route 66 Shield and tour the masterfully painted murals by Ray Harvey adorning numerous Waynesville properties.
A Trip to Remember
Pulaski County is home to much more than Route 66 marvels and escapes into nature, though. At Fort Leonard Wood, tour the incredible history on display at the John B. Mahaffey Museum Complex, home to three separate museums honoring the work of the U.S. Army Engineer Corps, Chemical Corps, and Military Police.
Get an in-depth look at the history of the Frisco Railroad in Crocker, and pull over at numerous locally owned eateries boasting worldwide flavors and expansive menus before heading back down the Main Street of America toward your next adventure.
The Great American Road Trip awaits. Order your 2026 Getaway Guide for even more one-of-a-kind encounters, including relaxing float trips, thrilling fishing opportunities, military monuments and museums, and can’t-miss events you’ll want to plan your trip around.
Learn more and order your copy today at VisitPulaskiCounty.org.
