New amenities at Mormon Trail afford scenic views

Adair County Conservation Director Dominic Johnson said his department is celebrating the completion of a two-part project that continued enhancements at Mormon Trail County Park near Bridgewater this summer.

The park, which boasts the lake and many other amenities, welcome a new shelter house and a new restroom facility to its list of items that draw campers in.

“It feels good to add another shelter house. I think it’s an awesome location, overlooking the beach,” Johnson said. “When people need to take a break from the sun or they have different family reunions and gatherings, it will be a cool spot overlooking the beach and the lake. We’re excited to continue doing these improvements. The new bathroom will be a big asset to people who go to the beach so they don’t have to walk back up to the shower house.”

Johnson said the building of both structures went according to schedule and local contractors were used. A combined cost of the projects came in at about $78,000, paid for from $70,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money and a $10,000 Empowering Adair County Grant.

Camping numbers around the state have begun to normalize after COVID-19 and fall within an average range, however Adair County is staying above that trend a little.

Over the Labor Day weekend, whic his known as the proverbial end to summer, camping was still very strong, with Lake Orient and Mormon Trail campgrounds near or at capacity.

“We’re still staying pretty much the same as our COVID numbers, but across the state, as an average, camping is starting to go down to those pre-COVID numbers,” Johnson said.