Spirited voting by readers promoting their favorite outdoor businesses, people and places brought numerous new faces and places to the fore in the Third Annual Traveler Readers Choice Awards, though some winners will still be quite familiar to most readers.

Publisher Emery Styron offered congratulations to the winners and urged readers to use the entire list as a guide for seeking out the best in Missouri’s outdoors.

“Pay extra close attention to the lesser-known “also nominated” listings,” Styron said. “That’s where you find some of the hidden jewels of our region — people or places well-known to locals, but unknown to most others.”

Winners will receive certificates they can display in their offices or businesses and will be profiled in Traveler next summer.

Every vote received in any category is considered a nomination. Winners are those who received the most nominations in any category. All nominations received are listed.

Favorite Float Stream

Winner: Current River. Readers liked these stream stretches, in order of popularity: Pulltite to Round Spring, Akers to Pulltite, Wehmeyer to Big Spring. Runner up: Black River. Favorite stretches: Brawley Hollow to K Bridge, Twin Rivers to Smiley Face, Lesterville to Centerville, Lesterville to Graniteville. Also nominated: Jacks Fork, favorite stretches: Alley to Eminence, Alley to Two Rivers, Buck Hollow to Bay Creek, Bay Creek to Alley; Huzzah, favorite stretches: Steelville to Valley Resort; Gasconade.

Favorite Fishing River or Lake

Winner: Current River. Readers mentioined Van Buren, Goose Bay, Montauk State Park and above Pulltite as favorite accesses. Runner up: Black River. Also nominated: Meramec, Catawissa CA gravel pits; St. Francis, Roselle access in Madison County; Montauk State Park; Jack’s Fork at Eminence and Two Rivers; Huzzah Creek at Steelville; Big River for its easy access; and Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau.

Favorite Public Park

Winner, Alley Spring, west of Eminence. Runner up: Johnson Shut-Ins State Park, Middlebrook. Also nominated: Gooseneck, Sam A. Baker State Park, Big Spring Park, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Eminence Ball Park, Hawn State Park, Hawes Campground in ONSR, St. Francois State Park, Trail of Tears State Park, Fort Davidson State Historic Site, Elephant Rocks, Big Spring, Watercress Park in ONSR and Rothwell Park at Moberly.

Favorite Private Park

Winner: Tie – Deer Run Lake in Madison County and Maramec Spring Park, St. James. (Readers evidently didn’t understand what we were after here; Most of the nominations were public parks including Alley Spring, Round Spring and Sam A. Baker State Park.)

Favorite Camping Spot

Winner: Tie – Brawley Hollow, Black River, and Jerktail Landing, Current River. Runner up: Alley Spring. Also nominated: Pea Ridge CA, Washington County; Marble Creek, Madison County; Watercress Park, Van Buren; Woods Hole, Current River; Goosebay, Current River; Twin Rocks, Eminence; Bay Creek, Eminence; Shawnee Creek, Eminence; Maramec Spring, St. James; St. Joe State Park, Park Hills; River Campground, Trail of Tears State Park; Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park; Black River; Bearcat’s Getaway, Black River; K Bridge Campground, Black River; Pin Oak Campground, Van Buren; Paint Rock Bluff, Current River; Lake of the Ozarks Outpost Cabins.

Favorite Hiking Trail

Winner: Alley Spring. Runner-Up: St. Joe State Park, Park Hills. Also moninated: Ozark Trail; Multi-use Trail, Meramec CA, Sullivan; City Lake Trail, Fredericktown; Silver Mines, Madison County; Licklog Trail, Eminence; Shepherd’s Point, Trail of Tears State Park; Katy Trail.

Favorite Natural Outdoor Place

Winner: Twin Pines Conservation Nature Center, Winona. Runner up: Alley Spring. Also nominated: Silver Mines Recreation Area, Madison County; Coward’s Hollow, Carter County; Marble Creek, Madison County; Amidon CA, Madison County; Grassy Hollow, Eminence; Blue Spring, Eminence; Current River; Pickle Spring, Ste. Genevieve; Hickory Canyon, Ste. Genevieve; Black River; Elephant Rocks, Graniteville; Johnson’s Shut-Ins; Runge Conservation Nature Center, Jefferson City.

Favorite Motel

Winner: Shady Lane Cabins & Motel, Eminence. Runner up: Fort Davidson Motel, Pilot Knob. Also nominated: Drury Inn, Cape Girardeau; St. James Ridge; The Landing, Van Buren.

Favorite Campground or RV Park

Winner: Shawnee Creek, Eminence. Runner up: Pulltite Campground, Current River. Also nominated: Lost Creek Lodge, Greenville: Big Spring River Camp, Van Buren; Marble Creek Campground, Madison County; Circle B Campground, Eminence; Watercress Park, Van Buren; Jacks Forks, Eminence; Alley Spring, Eminence; Shady Lane Cabins & Motel, Eminence; Hawn State Park, Ste. Genevieve; St. Joe State Park, Park Hills; Kyle’s Campground, Lesterville; Big Creek RV Park, Annapolis; Huzzah Valley Resort, Steelville; Twin Rivers Landing, Lesterville; K Bridge Campground, Annapolis; Sam A. Baker State Park, Patterson; Big Spring RV Park, Van Buren; Lake of the Ozarks State Park.

Favorite Bed & Breakfast

Winner: Maple Tree Inn, Eminence. Runner up: DragonFly-In, Ironton. Also nominated: White House, Eminence; The Knapp House, Eminence; Cedar Stone Lodge, Eminence.

Favorite Resort

Winner: Maple Tree Inn, Eminence; Runner up: The Landing, Van Buren. Also nominated: Shady Lane Cabins &  Motel, Eminence; T&T, Eminence; Lake of the Ozarks; Kyle’s Campground, Lesterville; Twin Rivers Landing, Lesterville; Ozark Outdoors, Leasburg; Lodge on the Current, Van Buren; Tan-Tar-A, Lake of the Ozarks.

Favorite Sporting Goods Dealer

Winner: Arcadia Sporting Goods, Arcadia. Runner up: Fast Stop, Eminence. Also nominated: Denny Dennis, Fenton; Court Square Pawn, Fredericktown; Rut n Strut, West Plains; Wal-Mart, Kirkwood; Wal-Mart, Mountain View; Bass Pro, Springfield; Dunn’s, Pevely; Riverways, Van Buren; Norma’s Guns, Ironton.

Favorite Camping Vehicle Dealer

Winner: James Brewer, Eminence. Runner up: Tim’s Auto, Eminence. Also nominated: Bourbon RV, Bourbon, Midwest RV, Arnold.

Favorite Boat Dealer

Winner: Ernie’s Sales & Service, Ellington. No runner up. Also nominated: R&L Marine, Piedmont; Buckshot Marine, Van Buren; Tim’s Auto, Eminence; Brannan’s Marine, Fenton; Dunn’s, Peveley.

Favorite Bait Shop

Winner: Barney’s, Graniteville. Runner up: Fast Stop, Eminence. Also nominated: Don’s Bait & Tackle, St. Clair; Wal-Mart, Kirkwood; Traden Post, Ste. Genevieve; Paul’s Bait & Tackle, St. Louis; 21 Express, Graniteville.

Favorite Canoe Outfitter

Winner: Harvey’s Alley Spring Canoe Rental, Eminence. Runner up: The Landing, Van Buren. Also nominated: Eminence Canoe, Cottages & Camp, Eminence; Boiling Spring Campground, Dixon; Windy’s, Eminence; Bearcat’s Getaway, Lesterville: Jeff’s Canoe Rental, Annapolis; Twin Rivers Landing, Lesterville; One-Eyed Willy’s, Lebanon.

Favorite Outdoor Service Provider

Winner: Brawley’s Powderhorn, Winona. Runner up: Bob’s Garage, Eminence. Also nominated: Bass Pro, Springfield; Keller Taxidermy, St. Mary; Ernie’s Sales & Service, Ellington; Shooting Range, Ellington; Tyler’s, Eminence; LJ’s Taxidermy, Fredericktown; ATV Broken Toys, Ironton.

Favorite Outdoor Artist or Photographer

Winner: Noppadol Paothong, Missouri Department of Conservation. Runner up: Al Agnew, Ste. Genevieve. Also nominated: Bryan Culpepper, Van Buren; Pat Orr, Van Buren; Reva Dow, Birch Tree; Thad Burrus, Springfield; Jim Brandenburg, Minnesota.

Favorite Park Person, Ranger or Conservation Agent

Winner: Justin Emery, Missouri Department of Conservation, Shannon County. Runner up: Marty Towery, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Van Buren. Also nominated: Tom Nagel, MDC; Jody Towery, OSNR; Gregg Hitchings, MDC, Ironton; Denise Dowling, Trail of Tears State Park, Cape Girardeau; Melanie Carden-Jessen, MDC, Winona; Brad Conway, ONSR, Van Buren; Rick Drummond, MDC, Van Buren; Clint Dalbom, MDC, Eminence; Brad Hadley, MDC, Eminence; and Scott Bumgardaner, MDC, Madison County.

Favorite Outdoor Writer or Storyteller

Winner: The late Mitch Jayne, Eminence. Runner up: Tie – Bob Todd, Emery Styron, Larry Dablemont.

Also nominated: Jo Schaper, Ray Eye, Marty Eye, Missouri Department of Conservation.

Favorite Hunting or Fishing Guide

No winner. Dale Kipp, Van Buren, and Alex Rutledge, Birch Tree, were nominated.

Favorite Place for Breakfast

Winner: Calahan’s, Arcadia. Runner up: Tie – Float Stream Restaurant, Van Buren, and Ruby’s T&T, Eminence. Also nominated: Hen House, Bourbon; Bozlee’s, Frederickton; The Knapp House, Eminence; Margie’s Place, Eminence; Kozy Kitchen, Bloomsdale; Belgrade Country Cafe, Belgrade; Beck’s, Fulton; Hitchin’ Post, Pilot Knob; Flossie’s Apple Barrel, Winona; Waffle House; Aunt Mary’s Cafe, Arcadia; Crock & Barrel, Columbia.

Favorite Place for Lunch

Winner: Calahan’s, Arcadia. Runner up: Tie – Dairy Shack, Eminence, and Ryno’s, Ironton. Also nominated: Du Kumm Inn, Sullivan; Half-Time Grill, Fredericktown; Stray Dog BBQ, Van Buren; Fast Stop, Eminence; Margie’s Place, Eminence; Ruby’s T&T, Eminence; Little Country Store, Fruitland; outdoors along any river; Beck’s, Fulton; Jolly Cone, Van Buren; Red Lobster, Columbia.

Favorite Place for Dinner

Winner: Stray Dog BBQ, Van Buren. Runner up: Calahan’s, Arcadia. Also nominated: Vance Vineyards, Fredericktown; Ozark Orchard, Eminence; Margie’s Place, Eminence; Copper Mine Saloon, Ste. Genevieve; Kozy Kitchen, Bloomsdale; Dairy Shack, Eminence; Flossie’s Apple Barrel, Winona; Off the Hook, DeSoto; Rockbridge Restaurant, Rainbow Trout & Game Ranch, Rockbridge; Dorman L. Steelman Lodge, Montauk State Park; Ryno’s, Ironton; CC’s City Broiler, Columbia.

Favorite Place for Barbecue, Steak or Fish

Winner: Stray Dog BBQ, Van Buren. Runner up: Calahan’s, Arcadia. Also nominated: Olympic Steakhouse, Fredericktown; Baylee Jo’s Barbecue, Ironton; “Steakhouse, Eminence” (Editor’s note: We don’t know of such a place); Ozark Orchard, Eminence; Ruby’s T&T, Eminence; Float Stream Restaurant, Van Buren; Midway Bar & Grill, Ste. Genevieve; Ryno’s, Ironton; and Bandanna’s, Osage Beach.

Favorite Place for Desssert

Winner: Dairy Shack, Eminence. Runner up: Slice of Pie, Jefferson City. Also nominated: Scoops, Fredericktown; Calahan’s, Arcadia; Captain Jack’s, Eminence; Kozy Kitchen, Bloomsdale; Blue Owl Restaurant & Bakery, Kimmswick; Ryno’s, Ironton; Sonic (no location listed), The Landing, Van Buren.

Favorite Place for a Drink

Winner: Tie – The Landing, Van Buren; Ryno’s, Ironton; Captain Jack’s, Eminence. Runner up: Tie – Stray Dog BBQ, Van Buren; Margie’s Place, Eminence; and Dry Bean Saloon, Eminence. Also nominated: Bauhaus Kaffee, Farmington; The Pub, Eminence; Dew Drop Inn, Bloomsdale; William Wakefield’s backyard, Affton; Hunter Valley Winery, Cape Girardeau; Sand Creek Winery, Farmington; Stix & Steins, Farmington; home; Mr. D’s Lounge, Tan-Tar-A, Lake of the Ozarks.

Special thanks goes to Jo Schaper for compiling the information on ballots.