Rolling Stone

Looking for an Adventure? Explore Six of Missouri’s Top Outdoor Attraction­s

- By Suzy Evans

The following is one piece in a four-part series highlighti­ng all that Missouri has to o er in the worlds of food, art, music and adventure. Missouri – or “Mo,” as we refer to her – has no shortage of places to explore, so whatever you’re after, there’s a Mo for every M-O.

Missouri is full of outdoor wonders, with 88 state parks, six national parks, and many other excursions o the beaten path. Ranked among the top state park systems in the nation, Missouri oers a breadth of adventures, from scenic vistas to picturesqu­e hikes, and there are many dierent ways to experience all that the “ShowMe” State has to oer.

Here’s a look at some of the highlights of Missouri’s wildlife, parks and more where you experience the great outdoors and take full advantage of the state’s widerangin­g landscape.

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

Lampe, MO

Is 10,000 square miles of nature enough for you? Well, that’s what you’ll get at a visit to this sprawling Ozark Mountain oasis, where you’ ll find activities and excursions for everyone in your crew. Dogwood Canyon is one of the oldest landforms in the United States, and with settlers’ log cabins in view, you can explore the habitat with activities like horseback riding, fishing, hiking, wildlife tours and more. You can also visit the conservati­on center or the onsite restaurant, and there’s even a custombuil­t treehouse courtesy of Animal Planet’s Treehouse Masters. The park is open every day, and tickets start at $15 for kids, though there’s an additional charge for some activities such as horseback riding and the wildlife tram tour. If you can’t fit all the fun into just one day, consider a park membership so you can keep coming back for more.

Prairie State Park

Mindenmine­s, MO

One of the state’s beloved state parks, this destinatio­n oers the best outlets to become one with nature, from camping to birdwatchi­ng. Catalog some of the local wildflower­s or take a walk along one of the park’s many trails. The park is named for the tallgrass prairie which used to cover a third of the state and now makes up less than 1%, but don’t worry. Some of those swaying fields are still preserved here today so you can experience the land’s natural beauty as it once was.

You can check out the park’s event calendar, where you’ ll find exciting upcoming happenings like scavenger hunts, guided hikes, and a lecture series. As you bounce from one activity to the next be sure to look out for the resident bison herd that roams this 4,000acre paradise.

Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

Mound City, MO

If quarantine has got you playing a lot of Animal Crossing and you’re looking for encounters of the furry, feathered and fishy varieties, this wildlife preserve is your best bet. Loess Bluffs was establishe­d in 1935 by Franklin D. Roosevelt as a refuge for migratory birds, and it is still one of the top areas for birdwatchi­ng in the U.S. Fishing, photograph­y and more are all on the agenda here. You can also go hiking and explore the local flora and fauna including Indian grass, big bluestem, beardtongu­e and skeleton plant, among a host of others. (I, for one, am particular­ly intrigued by the last two.)

Ha Ha Tonka State Park

Camdenton, MO

Natural wonders abound in this storied state park, which features everything from hiking trails to an abandoned stone castle. Named for said castle, a 20thcentur­y stone mansion, Ha Ha Tonka State Park also boasts caves, sinkholes, geological formations and stunning blus overlookin­g the Lake of the Ozarks. Even if you’re not a skilled outdoorspe­rson, there are boardwalks that make some of the trails accessible to all visitors, along with convenient picnic areas for lunch or a quick snack before a nature walk.

Chaumette Vineyards & Winery

Ste. Genevieve, MO

Who needs Europe when you can just pop over to Missouri to enjoy a bestinclas­s luxury winetastin­g vacation? This resort destinatio­n oers local wines grown in the region’s rolling hills in a tasting room that’s open yearround. And in the summer months, you’ll often encounter outdoor entertainm­ent to make your visit all the more memorable.

When you’re not sampling the latest varietals, you can try some surroundin­g hikes. Book a villa and dine at the Grapevine Grill to make a weekend of your experience. The best part? You won’t have to drive home after a day of sampling all that Chaumette Winery has to oer.

Elephant Rocks State Park

Belleview, MO

Rocks that resemble elephants? Yes, please. These natural geological formations look like they stepped right out of the circus, when in fact they were formed from 1.5billionye­arold granite. Whether you’re a geology bu or just have kids that love climbing boulders, Elephant Rocks State Park is a wonder that must be seen. Take the Braille Trail, designed to accommodat­e visitors with visual and physical disabiliti­es, and then spend some time exploring the area before or after setting up for a picnic to make a day of it. You won’t find another place like Elephant Rocks State Park, so these rocky wonders are a can’tmiss item on your Missouri bucket list.

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