Hike To Missouri's Highest Point At An Underrated State Park Perfect For Camping

When people think of camping and hiking destinations, America's beautiful national parks may come to mind. Most of these, though, can be overcrowded and are in the western and eastern parts of the United States. Although the Midwest is not often in the spotlight, Missouri's beautiful St. Francois Mountains are home to Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, a perfect location for an outdoorsy getaway without the crowds.

Taum Sauk Mountain is located in a quiet corner of Missouri about two hours southwest of St. Louis and 9 miles south of Ironton. At just 1,772 feet in elevation, Taum Sauk Mountain, Missouri's highest point, may not rival some of the 10,000-plus-foot peaks in the Rocky Mountains. It flies under the radar and makes up for altitude with its connections to local hiking trails and the Ozark Trail to reach Bell Mountain Wilderness in the Mark Twain National Forest. The underrated state park hosts Mina Sauk Falls, Missouri's highest waterfall, located near the mountain's summit, which are both easy to reach via a short trail. The falls cascade through tiered pools and are a spectacular sight, though, they run after rain or during snow runoff. During cold snaps, they freeze, making for a beautiful winter hike.

The St. Francois Mountains are full of biodiversity, many species of songbirds and other wildlife, and incredible geological features that may show the natural geography of the region before humans settled. Around 1.5 billion years ago, the area was comprised of volcanoes surrounded by a shallow sea bed. Over time the sedimentary rock covering the surface has been eroded, exposing the ancient volcanic rock beneath the surface. Openings in the rock are now the habitat of animals and plants primarily found in desert climates that have adapted to the local climate of the Midwest.

The local area has two primary campgrounds, one at Taum Sauk State Park, and another at the neighboring Johnson's Shut-ins State Park. Taum Sauk State Park's 12 walk-in campsites that cannot be reserved, with very basic amenities that you need to enjoy a stay in nature. This campground is situated near the parking lot, making it easy to access on foot and to reach the a scenic overlook as well as the mountain's summit. However, be aware that only tent camping is permitted here, there are no showers, and water is only available during the on-season from April 1-October 31. Although the park allows pets, owners must keep dogs on a leash at all times. If you like to travel light, try this genius sleeping bag clothes hack to save space when camping.

If you are looking for a less rustic camping experience, and prefer to sleep in a cabin rather than a tent, check out the neighboring Johnson's Shut-ins State Park, a natural waterpark perfect for a day outing. This state park is more developed: It has several types of campgrounds, some that feature cabins complete with heating and electricity, and other amenities on site such as a camp store, bathrooms, and even a playground. If you stay in the cabins, note that they are still rustic and do not have water or private bathrooms, and you must provide your own bedding and non-flame cookware. Unlike at Taum Sauk, you can reserve a cabin or a campsite at Johnson's Shut-ins up to 12 months in advance, making it easier to plan your trip to Missouri's corner of heaven. If you decide to stay here and drive to Taum Sauk, expect the trip to take about 45 minutes.

Visitors to Taum Sauk Mountain shouldn't miss the opportunity to stand on the top of Missouri. The summit trail is an easy walk, less than a mile, and ADA-accessible. The trail is popular with families, bird watchers, and joggers and has a marker at the highest point, though no scenic overview at the end. Dogs are allowed and may run freely in some places. Hikers can continue on the looping Mina Sauk Falls Trail to catch some scenic views of the area, however, this trail is not ADA-accessible. Both trails meet back at the trailhead.

You'll be spoilt for choice with the sheer number of trails for hikers of all abilities, including multi-day hikes on the Ozark Trail. If you are looking to combine a hike and a swim, take a stroll down the mostly paved Black River Trail from the campground toward the water at Johnson's Shut-ins. The trail does become more challenging and may require some maneuvering over boulders, so take care and wear solid footwear. Dogs are not allowed to visit the swimming hole or on the trail to the shut-ins.

Best of all, the night skies around Taum Sauk State Park and the surrounding area are dark enough to be designated as an "International Dark Sky Park." Although they're not as dark as those you might find at Utah campsites where you can sleep under the stars, during clear weather and a moonless night, you will likely be able to see the Milky Way. Be sure to bring your camera or a telescope!