Rock Port wind farm generates powerful vistas
The town earned national attention by being the first to be 100% wind powered.
The city of Rock Port, in northwest Missouri, gained a first in 2008 when it announced it was fully powered by wind. Only four turbines generated enough electricity to run the small town off of I-29 in Atchison County. Since then, dozens of windmills have been added. How can you see them?
There is no official tour and the turbines are on private property. However, the giant wind farm is crisscrossed by numerous public gravel roads that you can access. If you’ve never been up close and personal with windmills, the reality is stunning. The average power-generating turbine is 280-feet tall. That’s a mountain around these parts. Multiply them across the entire horizon and it’s a sight to behold. This waypoint can be combined with several scenic Northwest Missouri hiking locations (see below).
In addition, this part of Missouri is in the rolling Loess Hills. Think of rolling hills, fields and clouds heading off into eternity. Enjoy!
Directions
Drive to Rock Port, Missouri (not to be confused with Rocheport), then drive east on state Highway 136 about four miles and you’ll begin seeing windmills. Drive, explore, park and photograph. Don’t trespass or violate and safety regulations. As we tell our kids, look with your eyes, not your hands.
Other area attractions
This pin in this map is in the center of the Atchison County wind farm near Rock Port, Mo.