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In the midst of today’s urban growth, make the great escape to Missouri’s wilderness – Taum Sauk Mountain State Park. The park includes untamed, unspoiled land that provides solitude and a wilderness quality hard to find in today’s crowded world.
Located in the St. Francois Mountains, Taum Sauk Mountain State Park stands above others – literally. The park’s namesake, Taum Sauk Mountain, rises to 1,772 feet above sea level, making it the highest point in Missouri. It is an easy walk from the parking lot to the highest point.
The moderately rugged Mina Sauk Falls loop trail takes visitors to the state’s tallest waterfall. In wet weather, Mina Sauk Falls drops 132 feet down a series of rocky volcanic ledges into a clear, rock-bottom pool at the base. In any weather, this trail offers spectacular views of the state’s deepest valley to the west, which has up to 700 feet of vertical relief between the creek and the tops of the mountains crowding in on all sides. Below, the crystal-clear Taum Sauk Creek flows the length of the park. With its undeveloped watershed, this creek has been recognized as a State Outstanding Resource Water for its aesthetic and scientific value.
OZARK TRAIL
One mile below the falls along the Taum Sauk Section of the Ozark Trail lies Devil’s Tollgate. This eight-foot-wide passage takes visitors through 50 feet of volcanic rhyolite standing 30 feet high. The Ozark Trail continues on to nearby Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, covering a total of 12.8 miles, providing solitude and scenery to hikers and backpackers. The 33-mile Taum Sauk Section is part of the Ozark Trail, which will eventually connect St. Louis with the Ozark Highlands Trail in Arkansas.
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park features a campground with basic campsites. The nearby picnic area allows visitors to relax and enjoy lunch under the trees. An overlook provides an opportunity to view the expansive mountainous landscape to the north. Drinking water and a vault toilet are available. A special-use camping area is available for use by non-profit organized youth groups.
PARK HOURS & FEES
Contact Park
PARK PHONE
573-546-2450
PARK ADDRESS
Hwy CC
Ironton, MO 63656
For more information about this state park click HERE.
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