10 Missouri State Parks in 10 Days
- Adventure awaits at Missouri’s state parks
Jefferson City, Mo. – Visiting 10 Missouri State Parks in 10 days is an ambitious adventure that highlights the best of the Missouri Ozarks, from mountaintops to river valleys, with a few wineries in between. The schedule has plenty of built in down time to soak in a sparkling stream and to explore the subterranean treasures of the Cave State.
The adventure starts in one of Missouri’s most beautiful landscapes, Hawn State Park near Ste. Genevieve. The park is home to the 10-mile Whispering Pine Trail. Give those feet a break by dipping your toes into picturesque Pickle Creek, a designated natural area.
- Sam A. Baker State Park
From Hawn, the first overnight would be in a cozy cabin at Sam A. Baker State Park, which is south of Hawn. The next day take one of Missouri’s most challenging hikes, the 12-mile Mudlick Trail, which climbs to a mountaintop for a taste of wilderness. Or, you could take a leisurely stroll back on the Shut-Ins Trail and spend the day lolling in the deep pool below the bluff.
After a second night at Sam A. Baker, Day 3 is spent roaming over the giant formations at Elephant Rocks State Park and standing on the state’s highest point at Taum Sauk Mountain State Park.
Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park
A two-night stay at the new camper cabins or campground at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park leaves a full day to enjoy the park’s namesake – a playground of chutes, pools and spires carved in the ancient purple rock by the Black River.
Montauk State Park
On Day 5, go early to Montauk State Park for a little trout fishing. Spend two nights at the park’s lodge, and on the day in between, float the spring-fed Current River, which begins in the park. The stretch from Cedar Grove to Akers passes Welch Spring, which pumps 105 million gallons of crystalline water into the river each day.
Leaving Montauk, go underground at Onondaga Cave State Park to see one of America’s most spectacular caves, then head to Meramec State Park, which is home to impressive Fisher Cave, one of the more than 40 caves in the park.
Nights No. 7 and No. 8 rest in one of Meramec’s cabins, nestled under towering oaks. The day could be spent floating the Meramec River or hiking.
From Meramec, the adventure continues at Hermann, on the Missouri River in wine country. Day 9, bike a section of Katy Trail State Park, the nation’s longest rail-to-trail conversion. Check into one of the many bed and breakfasts and spend the final evening sampling German wines and food in Hermann.
Head east on Day 10 to Castlewood State Park near St. Louis, where the River Scene Trail offers the biggest bang for the buck, ending with a panoramic view from the bluffs overlooking the Meramec River Valley.
Relax and enjoy the scenery. You’ve earned it.
Why stop at 10 Missouri State Parks? Explore them all as you venture through the state. Of course, this will take more than 10 days, but you can break the trips into themes to make it easier to accomplish.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ State Parks Division has divided the state into six regions: Kansas City, Northeast, Central, St. Louis, Lakes and Southeast. Take it one region at a time; add another element to the idea and visit them all by theme.
Here are a few themes to get the mind going: Famous Faces.
This theme could include the Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site in Kansas City; Gen. John J. Pershing Boyhood State Historic Site in Laclede; Florida is home to the Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site; the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site is in St. Louis; and the Nathan Boone Homestead State Historic Site is in Ash Grove.
Natural attractions could be another theme. Start in the Southeast Region at Taum Sauk Mountain State Park in Ironton; Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park near Lesterville and Elephant Rocks State Park near Ironton; and Missouri’s “Little Grand Canyon” at Grand Gulf State Park in Thayer.
Whether you visit one or all, we guarantee a Missouri State Park or Historic Site will offer something of interest to the entire family. For more information on Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, go to www.VisitMO.com or call 800-519-4800 for your free Official Missouri Travel Guide..
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Additional links:
Missouri State Parks
www.MoStateParks.com
Pickle Creek
www.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places-go/natural-areas/pickle-creek
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Contact:
Sarah Luebbert
Missouri Division of Tourism
573-522-5501
Sarah.Luebbert@ded.mo.gov
