Cool hidden spots you didn’t know existed
Missouri has spots you might have driven past or heard about but never explored. They are packed with history, natural beauty, and unique features.
If you’re a longtime resident, you know what we’re talking about. These underrated places are worth a closer look.
Elephant Rocks
Walk through billion-year-old granite boulders at Elephant Rocks.
The “Elephant Parade” formation, a line of rocks resembling a group of elephants, is easy to miss without taking the Braille Trail.
Near the old Engine House ruins, look for the faded graffiti left by quarry workers from the 1800s. These rocks were once used to build bridges and buildings across the Midwest.
Ha Ha Tonka
Ha Ha Tonka sits on a limestone bluff overlooking the Niangua River.
Few visitors know about the Balancing Rock near the Spring Trail, a massive boulder perched impossibly on the edge of a drop-off.
The park’s sinkholes and caves formed over thousands of years due to karst erosion, making it one of the most geologically unique areas in the Ozarks.
Onondaga Cave
Onondaga Cave features flowstones, draperies, and one of the largest stalagmites in the Midwest, the King’s Canopy.
The cave also contains rare aragonite crystals, which you can spot in smaller chambers during guided tours.
Outside the cave, hike to Vilander Bluff for a view of the Meramec River winding through some of the oldest dolomite cliffs in the region.
Johnson’s Shut-Ins
The rock pools at Johnson’s Shut-Ins were carved out of rhyolite, a volcanic rock found only in a few parts of Missouri.
If you hike the Horseshoe Glade Trail, you’ll pass through rare glade ecosystems filled with wildflowers like blazing stars and prickly pear cacti.
For a quieter experience, stick to the north side of the shut-ins, where the river flows gently through smaller pools.
Katy Trail
Katy Trail near Rocheport includes the 243-foot-long MKT Tunnel.
This 1893 wonder is home to bald eagles in the winter, so bring binoculars if you visit during colder months.
Near McBaine, stop at the famous “Big Tree,” a bur oak estimated to be over 350 years old, and one of the largest in the state.
Big Spring State Park
Big Spring pumps 286 million gallons of water daily, making it one of the largest springs in the country.
The turquoise color comes from dissolved limestone, and the water temperature stays at a constant 58°F year-round.
Follow the less-used Slough Trail for a quiet walk through floodplain forests. Keep an eye out for beavers building dams near the spring outlet.
Meramec State Park
Fisher Cave’s limestone walls contain fossils of ancient sea creatures that lived here over 300 million years ago. Take a flashlight to spot tiny, crystal-clear cave shrimp in the underground pools.
For a more secluded hike, the Natural Wonders Trail leads to a scenic overlook that’s rarely crowded, even on weekends. It’s a great spot for watching river otters along the Meramec.
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