Most Missouri Sounds You'll Ever Hear

We all have those sights, tastes, and sounds that remind us of our beloved Missouri – from a baseball hitting the bat to the melody of the spring peepers announcing their arrival each spring. Some of the most Missouri sounds we’ll ever listen to, however, are those we hear when we’re out exploring the forests, fields, and prairies that dot the state. These sounds, for example, are sure to remind you of the prairie.

Prairies once covered more than a quarter of the Missouri landscape but, unfortunately, that number has significantly dwindled to less than one percent in the 21st century. Today, Missouri is home to a dozen types of prairies, including tall grass, loess hill, and wet prairie.

While you can find prairies all over Missouri, they’re most common in the western part of the state, the Missouri Department of Conservation asserts, and “north of the Missouri River.”

At just under 4,000 acres, Prairie State Park in Mindenmines is an idyllic destination to experience a Missouri prairie. A leisurely hike will take you past grazing bison, wildflowers in season, and tall grasses. You’ll also be able to hear those comforting and familiar sounds.

Listen for the distinct sound of frogs. Several species of frogs, including the northern cricket frog and the southern leopard frog, call prairies in Missouri home. You might even see (and hear) a Great Plains narrowmouth toad.

A trickling of a stream’s water, tall grass rustling in the breeze, and the songs of the birds – scissor-tailed flycatchers, American kestrels, and eastern meadowlarks – and greater prairie-chickens all contribute to the soundtrack of the prairie.

As day turns to night, the crickets will chime in with their chirping.

Listen to some of the sounds of the prairie on the official website of The Missouri Prairie Foundation.

Do you agree these are some of the most Missouri sounds you’ll ever hear? Which are your favorite? Let us know in the comments! Hear some of those beautiful Missouri sounds when you visit Prairie State Park in Mindenmines, Missouri. Listen for more of those comforting sounds on one of the best hiking trails in Missouri. Find a comprehensive list, including photos and hiker reviews, on AllTrails.

Prairie State Park Is An Underrated Park That Just Might Be The Most Beautiful Place In Missouri

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These Are The Most Missouri Sounds You'll Ever Hear, And We Can't Stop Listening

Beth Price-Williams

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