It’s time for a road trip! Are there any two sweeter words in the English language? Probably not, right? Road trips are just good for the soul as you hit the open road in search of adventure. And, you’ll find plenty of adventure – and breathtaking destinations – right here in Missouri. Gas up your car, pack your bags, and hit the highway on one of the most scenic road trips in Missouri, our epic excursion that will take you to all seven wonders of the Show-Me State and some of the best outdoor adventures in Missouri. Let’s go!

Map Out Your Road Trip
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Get ready for an epic adventure in Missouri as you visit some of the state's most awe-inspiring wonders. Visit all seven wonders, or tailor your trip to your specific interests and needs. Follow this itinerary for directions to the seven wonders of Missouri. Are you ready? Off we go!
1. The Gateway Arch
The Gateway Arch, Gateway Arch, St. Louis, MO 63102, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
First stop: The Gateway Arch, which promises spectacular, sweeping views of St. Louis. Climb aboard a tram for the ride to the top - 630 feet - of the "tallest man-made monument" in the U.S. Snap photos of your view before heading back down to the bottom for a visit to the Museum at the Gateway Arch, which tells the story of those - from Native Americans to the explorers - who helped build our country.

Take a tour of Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis, MO and the iconic Gateway Arch in this video from through My Lens:
2. Onondaga Cave State Park
Onondaga Cave State Park, 7556 Missouri H, Leasburg, MO 65535, USA
Dave Thomas/Flickr
Missouri's home to amazing natural wonders, including Onondaga Cave State Park, with the cave named a National Natural Landmark. Join one of the one-mile guided tours of one of the best caverns to explore in Missouri, which usually lasts an hour and a half. Slip on comfortable, sturdy shoes and wear a jacket. The cave maintains a temperature of 57 degrees Fahrenheit all year.
3. Clifty Creek Natural Bridge
Clifty Creek Natural Bridge, 21671 MO-28, Dixon, MO 65459, USA
Anne Lindgren / iStock via Getty Images Plus
Marvel at the sheer beauty of the 40-foot-long natural bridge that sits over Clifty Creek. But, the bridge is just the start of your adventure at Missouri's first natural area, established in 1971. Head out on the Clifty Creek Natural Area Trail, a 2.5-mile loop trail, that will take you through the forest and to the natural bridge. Start the trail at the parking lot.

Join The Hiking Turtles as they check out the Clifty Creek Natural Bridge near Rolla, Missouri:

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4. Johnsons Shut-Ins State Park
Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, 148 Taum Sauk Trail, Middle Brook, MO 63656, USA
Robert the Noid/Flickr
Join the hundreds of thousands of visitors who flock to Johnsons Shut-Ins State Park, which spans more than 8,700 magnificent acres, each year. Home to more than 850 species of plants, the sprawling state park's masterpiece just might be its shut-ins. Cool off with a swim - at your own risk, of course - in the shut-ins, a natural water park boasting natural waterslides and swimming holes. (Don't forget your water shoes.)
5. Mina Sauk Falls
Mina Sauk Falls, Arcadia Township, MO 63650, USA
Randy Watson/Flickr
Wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes as you embark on the three-mile Mina Sauk Falls Trail. The picturesque trail travels to the top of Taum Sauk Mountain, 1,772 feet above sea level and the highest point in Missouri. Stop to snap photos before trekking to Mina Sauk Falls, Missouri's largest waterfall with a drop of 132 feet.
6. Elephant Rocks State Park
Elephant Rocks State Park, 7390, 7406 MO-21, Belleview, MO 63623, USA
Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Embark on the one-mile Braille Trail, which provides easy access for those with physical and visual disabilities, that will lead you to the masterpiece of Elephant Rocks State Park. The spectacular granite boulder formations, formed more than a billion and a half years ago, look like elephants on a circus train. Elephant Rocks provide the perfect climbing spot for kids and an ideal backdrop for selfies. Start planning your next family vacation to Elephant Rocks by booking this cool log cabin only a few miles from the park.
7. Mingo National Wildlife Refuge
Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, 24279 MO-51, Puxico, MO 63960, USA
Wikipedia/Public Domain/USFWSmidwest
Our final stop on this epic road trip is Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. Start your visit to this natural wonder at the Visitors Center, where you can learn more about the refuge and view exhibits. Then, explore the nearly 8,500 wildlife refuge. Set off on foot; go horseback riding, or bike along the trails. Wildlife watching, kayaking, and berry picking are also popular activities at the wildlife refuge.

Let's head to the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge to round out or list of seven natural wonders of Missouri in this video from My Corner Online:

How many of the seven wonders of Missouri have you been to? Share some of the best outdoor adventures in Missouri you’ve enjoyed in the comments! Do you like scenic road trips in Missouri? Then, hit the highway on this road trip to the most beautiful small towns in Missouri.

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scenic road trips in Missouri

Sarah | July 17, 2021

What are some must-visit attractions in Missouri?

Some of the must-visit attractions in Missouri include:

 

Hands down, Missouri's Gateway Arch ranks at the top of the list of the state's must-visit attractions. The Gateway Arch in Missouri sits among the most majestic and most photographed landmarks in the country, and it really is a wondrous sight to behold. The Arch has been a permanent part of the St. Louis skyline since it opened on October 28, 1965. Since that day, it has welcomed more than 135 million visitors from around the world who come to revel in its grandeur. Also in St. Louis, City Museum is one of the coolest children's museums in the country, and a must-visit if you have kids! Tucked in a 600,000-square-foot museum, once the home of a shoe warehouse, City Museum dates back to the early 1990s. The museum is an art installation and a playground that has over 30 slides, tons of hands-on fun, and so much more!

What are the most beautiful natural wonders in Missouri?

Some of the most beautiful natural wonders in Missouri include:

 

Missouri is full of breathtakingly beautiful natural wonders, as evidenced by the above scenic road trip. Some of the Show-Me State's most glorious natural wonders can be witnessed for free, too! Such gems include parks like Elephant Rocks State Park and Grand Gulf State Park, some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Missouri such as Mina Sauk Falls and Rocky Falls, and the geological wonder that is Clifty Creek Natural Bridge.

What are Missouri's most beautiful places?

Some of Missouri's most beautiful places include:

 

Missouri is an incredibly beautiful state, and there are so many glorious places to explore and experience! For some of the bluest water in Missouri, plan a visit to the absolutely breathtaking Blue Spring, the deepest spring in the state. It's also the eighth largest in the state and, if you've never seen it, it will likely take your breath away. Blue Spring attracts visitors from near and far who want to revel in this stunning, 310-foot-deep, cerulean blue natural oasis. Another stunner of a place? Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, which features glorious natural waterslides which, at the height of summer, offer visitors a refreshing, resplendent treat. 

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