Dora, MO

Travel Guide

Hodgson Water Mill in Ozark County, Missouri #ozarks #missouri #historicmills
Hodgson Water Mill in Dora, MO. One of my favorite places. Hodgson Mill products (flour, cornmeal, etc) are still sold in stores too! #mill #spring #missouri
I had been seeing this mill pop up on Facebook and discovered that it was only about an hour away! Such a beautiful spot. There are picnic tables, bridges and trails. People swim in the water as well! A true gem tucked away in the Ozark mountains! Hodgson Water Mill, only a few minutes away through famous Ozark County scenery. From Dawt, return to PP Hwy. and turn left on PP to H Hwy. Turn left on H and go north to Hwy. 181. Turn left again on Hwy. 181 to Hodgson Mill. Built in 1861 to harness the power of a massive spring flowing into Bryant Creek and rebuilt in 1897, the tall, three-story frame building nestles against a bluff of the Bryant. Though the mill no longer grinds grain, it still houses the old milling machinery. (The nationally distributed line of stone-ground bakery products bearing the Hodgson name is now produced at a modern mill in nearby Gainesville.) The spring still spews nearly 3,000,000 gallons of clear, cold water a day. Besides the mill, it once powered a cotton gin, a lumber mill, and a clothing factory. In pre-REA days, the power of the water also generated electricity for all the mill-site enterprises. And, once upon a time, thanks to the constant 58 degree temperature of the spring, the mill was a popular site for neighborhood dances. Issuing from the bluff under the mill building, the spring is still picturesque. It nourishes native ferns and mosses clinging to crevices in the sheer rock wall. Some of the water is diverted to the mill pond, where watercress and other marine plants thrive. Inside the mill building, an opening to a cave in the face of the bluff provides natural air conditioning. A modern day facility in nearby Gainesville, MO is still producing and distributing the all natural stone ground flours of the past under the Hodgson Mill name. #LIFEATEXPEDIA #WATERMILL #LOCALSIGHTS #OZARKMOUNTAINS #IHEARTTHEOZARKS
I had been seeing this mill pop up on Facebook and discovered that it was only about an hour away! Such a beautiful spot. There are picnic tables, bridges and trails. People swim in the water as well! A true gem tucked away in the Ozark mountains! Hodgson Water Mill, only a few minutes away through famous Ozark County scenery. From Dawt, return to PP Hwy. and turn left on PP to H Hwy. Turn left on H and go north to Hwy. 181. Turn left again on Hwy. 181 to Hodgson Mill. Built in 1861 to harness the power of a massive spring flowing into Bryant Creek and rebuilt in 1897, the tall, three-story frame building nestles against a bluff of the Bryant. Though the mill no longer grinds grain, it still houses the old milling machinery. (The nationally distributed line of stone-ground bakery products bearing the Hodgson name is now produced at a modern mill in nearby Gainesville.) The spring still spews nearly 3,000,000 gallons of clear, cold water a day. Besides the mill, it once powered a cotton gin, a lumber mill, and a clothing factory. In pre-REA days, the power of the water also generated electricity for all the mill-site enterprises. And, once upon a time, thanks to the constant 58 degree temperature of the spring, the mill was a popular site for neighborhood dances. Issuing from the bluff under the mill building, the spring is still picturesque. It nourishes native ferns and mosses clinging to crevices in the sheer rock wall. Some of the water is diverted to the mill pond, where watercress and other marine plants thrive. Inside the mill building, an opening to a cave in the face of the bluff provides natural air conditioning. A modern day facility in nearby Gainesville, MO is still producing and distributing the all natural stone ground flours of the past under the Hodgson Mill name. #LIFEATEXPEDIA #WATERMILL #LOCALSIGHTS #OZARKMOUNTAINS #IHEARTTHEOZARKS
One of Missouri's iconic photography landscapes near Sycamore. Morning for shade, afternoon for full sun.
Tranquil Log Cabin adjacent to Mark Twain National Forest + minutes to the river

Tranquil Log Cabin adjacent to Mark Twain National Forest + minutes to the river

Pottersville MO
Stay at this cabin in Dora. Enjoy an in-room coffeemaker, in-room fireplaces, and air conditioning. Popular attraction McGarr Ridge Trailhead is located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (32 reviews)
Very relaxing, cabin in the woods!… de-compress and recharge, greatly appreciated!

Reviewed on Feb 16, 2026

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Tranquil Log Cabin adjacent to Mark Twain National Forest + minutes to the river
Secluded cabin adjoins Mark Twain National Forest

Secluded cabin adjoins Mark Twain National Forest

Dora MO
$229 nightly
The price is $243 total per night from Mar 26 to Mar 27
$243 total
Mar 26 - Mar 27
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this cabin in Dora. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attraction McGarr Ridge Trailhead is located nearby.
Secluded cabin adjoins Mark Twain National Forest
Holiday Inn Express & Suites West Plains Southwest by IHG

Holiday Inn Express & Suites West Plains Southwest by IHG

2.5 out of 5
1301 Preacher Roe Blvd West Plains MO
$131 nightly
The price is $150 total per night from Apr 12 to Apr 13
$150 total
Apr 12 - Apr 13
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in West Plains. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (383 reviews)
The rooms and staff were great! The heated poop wasn’t working though. The water was cold. Other than that we had an amazing stay

Reviewed on Mar 17, 2026

Holiday Inn Express & Suites West Plains Southwest by IHG
See all 124 properties in Dora
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Tranquil Log Cabin adjacent to Mark Twain National Forest + minutes to the river

Tranquil Log Cabin adjacent to Mark Twain National Forest + minutes to the river

Pottersville MO
Stay at this cabin in Dora. Enjoy an in-room coffeemaker, in-room fireplaces, and air conditioning. Popular attraction McGarr Ridge Trailhead is located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (32 reviews)
Very relaxing, cabin in the woods!… de-compress and recharge, greatly appreciated!

Reviewed on Feb 16, 2026

Tranquil Log Cabin adjacent to Mark Twain National Forest + minutes to the river
Secluded cabin adjoins Mark Twain National Forest

Secluded cabin adjoins Mark Twain National Forest

Dora MO
Stay at this cabin in Dora. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attraction McGarr Ridge Trailhead is located nearby.
Secluded cabin adjoins Mark Twain National Forest
Loft house with 4 beds and access to our park and outdoor Pavilions and more

Loft house with 4 beds and access to our park and outdoor Pavilions and more

Drury MO
Stay at this vacation home in Drury. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Bryant Creek State Park and Rockbridge Rainbow Trout ...
10/10 Exceptional! (20 reviews)
This stay was great! I forgot something and she was able to get me what I needed. The whole homestead is BEAUTIFUL! Would highly recommend.

Reviewed on Feb 14, 2026

Loft house with 4 beds and access to our park and outdoor Pavilions and more
See all properties in Dora
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Cities near Dora

These old water mills take us back to the 1700 to 1800"s

Tecumseh

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