Introduction to Missouri state parks

Some generalities about Missouri state parks, known for trails, mountains, etc, then list them out.

Lake of The Ozarks State Park Missouri

Lake of the Ozarks State Park

Park Address: 0170, 403 MO-134, Kaiser, MO 65047

Park Description: Lake of the Ozarks State Park is a Missouri state park on the Grand Glaize Arm of the Lake of the Ozarks and is the largest state park in the state.

Lake of the Ozarks State Park Visitors Guide

Table Rock State Park Missouri

Table Rock State Park

Park Address: 158 E Ellison Ln, Pickens, SC 29671

Park Description: The park includes Pinnacle Mountain, the tallest mountain totally within the state.

Main Attractions and Hiking Trails: Carrick Creek Nature Trail, Table Rock Summit Trail, Lake Pinnacle

Table Rock State Park Visitors Guide

Ha Ha Tonka State Park Missouri

Ha Ha Tonka State Park 

Park Address: 1491 Missouri D, Camdenton, MO 65020

Park Description: Alluding to the natural springs on the property, "ha ha tonka" was said to mean "big laugh" or "smiling waters.

Main Attractions and Hiking Trails: Tonka Spring, Castle, Devil's Kitchen Trail, Turkey Pen Hollow Trail, Oak Woodland Interpretive Trail

Ha Ha Tonka State Park Visitors Guide

Elephant Rocks State Park Missouri

Elephant Rocks State Park

Park Address: 7390, 7406 MO-21, Belleview, MO 63623

Park Description: The state park is named for a string of large granite boulders which resemble a train of pink circus elephant

Main Attractions and Hiking Trails: Braille Trail, Fat Man's Squeeze, Boulder Maze

Elephant Rocks State Park Visitors Guide

Johnson's Shut-Ins

At the waterfall at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park

Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park

Park Address: 148 Taum Sauk Trail, Middle Brook, MO 63656

Park Description: The term "shut-in" refers to a place where the river's breadth is limited by hard rock that is resistant to erosion.  

Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park Visitors Guide