Here’s The Ultimate Bucket List For Missourians Who Are Obsessed With Nature
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
We Missourians don’t have to travel far to find ourselves among nature. Missouri’s brimming with natural wonders, many we’ve been to numerous times and some we still have yet to visit. The following ultimate nature bucket list in Missouri features just a sampling of the most spectacular destinations in our state.
Elephant Rocks certainly deserves a spot on the nature bucket list. A series of granite rocks that date back more than 1.5-billion years, the rocks are shaped like elephants lined up in a circus train. Kiddos - and even some adults - climb the rocks, and they're perfect for photographing too.
The Black River, in Lesterville, is perhaps best known for its crystal clear water. It's also an idyllic destination for those who love adventure on the water. Float down the river, for example, in a kayak, a canoe, or a tube.
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Lace up your hiking boots for a scenic hike along the Mina Sauk Falls Trail, which spans just 2.9 miles. Along the way to the 132-foot Mina Sauk Falls, you'll pass such natural beauty as wildflowers and large boulders. You'll arrive at the waterfall about halfway through the hike.
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You'll definitely want to check out Grand Gulf State Park, also known as Missouri's very own Little Grand Canyon. The 322-acre state park is home to a collapsed cave system, which spans one-mile. It also features 130-foot canyon walls. Follow the Interpretive Loop Trail to explore the majestic natural wonder.
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Ha Ha Tonka State Park boasts both natural and man-made beauty. Home to the remnants of Ha Ha Tonka Castle, which you can see via the Castle Trail, the park also offers such natural features as a natural bridge, the 12th largest spring in the United States, and patches of flowers. Enjoy a picnic at one of the tables, or watch the kiddos play at one of several playgrounds, too.
Rocky Falls is a beautiful destination any time of the year - flanked by the colors of fall or shimmering under a spring sun. However, if you're looking for a way to enjoy nature and to cool down on a hot summer day, make Rocky Falls your destination. Admire the waterfall that drops 40 feet into a clear pool of water. Swim or wade in the water to stay cool all day long.
Missouri's home to an abundance of gorgeous water - from crystal clear to beautiful blue. To see some of the bluest water in the state, you just need to set off on the nearly three-mile Blue Spring Trail that leads to Blue Spring in Eminence. The breathtaking spring measures more than 300 feet, earning it a nod as one of the United States' deepest springs.
Lounge on the 20,000-square foot sandy beach at Wakonda State Park, which leads into Wakonda Lake. The pristine beach, in fact, is the biggest natural sand beach in Missouri. Open seasonally, the beach also features restrooms and showers.
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Although Table Lake Rock itself is man-made, the views from it are all natural. If you want to catch a sensational sunrise or sunset, find a spot along or on the lake. Table Rock Lake also features safe spots for swimming and is a popular destination for boating and floating.
What else would you add to the ultimate nature bucket list in Missouri? Let us know in the comments! For more beauty among nature, stop by 165 Scenic Overlook in Branson.
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Featured Addresses
Elephant Rocks State Park, Missouri 21, Belleview, MO, USA
Black River Township, MO, USA
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, Hwy. CC, Middle Brook, MO 63656, USA
Grand Gulf State Park, State Hwy W, Koshkonong, MO 65692, USA
Ha Ha Tonka State Park, 1491 Missouri D, Camdenton, MO 65020, USA
Rocky Falls, Winona Township, MO 65588, USA
Blue Spring, Eminence Township, MO 63638, USA
Table Rock Lake, United States