Turkey Pen Hollow Trail

This trail is located in the Ha Ha Tonka SP and is the longest trail they offer clicking in at just over 7.2 miles. They do have a very primitive camp clearing approximately halfway through the trail for backpackers. While I would normally not consider this a long enough trail to camp on, it does provide a nice opportunity for those just getting started to get their feet wet without being stranded 20 miles from their car if something goes wrong. If you plan on staying overnight on the trail, the park asks that you stop by the visitor center on your way into the park and sign in - just so they know you are out there and know to come looking for you if your car is in the parking lot for three days without moving. ;)

As I said, the camping is very primitive. There is a rain fed stream that crosses the trail at several points and in high rains runs along beside the campsite. It is a good source of water if you have a purifier and runs (at least a little bit) throughout the year. This way you don't have to pack a lot of water out there with you; you can simply restock as you go. 

This is one of the most diverse hiking trails in the park, ranging from large karst formations to wide open prairie-like plains. During the summer there are several points in the trail that you will pass through fields of wild flowers, while in the winter it turns into an ice wonderland. 

There were several points in the trail that I just have to get off trail and explore some of the rocks that line its path. Missouri has so much sandstone, it is perfect for the formation of some truly impressive structures. I would not suggest climbing them, however! Take note from their name - sandstone. It's a true representation and crumbles like sand under you. 

I would definitely suggest giving this trail a trial run (no pun intended)! Be careful though - there are several trail that connect with Turkey Pen, so be sure to get a map before you head out. I hear this a lot and usually ignore it, but on this trail, I get a map every time I go! I mean it - take the time to get the "lay of the land" before you head out. And while you are at the park, be sure to check out the spring and the castle. The visitor's center can tell you all about them, or you can just follow the road signs. 

If you go to the spring, take the time to go out the island that you will pass on your left on your way in from the spring parking lot. On the opposite side of the island are rapids that will take your breath away. you'll love them, promise!

Below is a link for the commercialized part of the park: 

http://www.mostateparks.com/park/ha-ha-tonka-state-park

And below is a link for the google map to help you find the park. If you have any problems just let me know and I'll add step by step directions: 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ha+Ha+Tonka+State+Park/@37.977765,-92.764657,13z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x87c4dfc2104cebcd:0xcadd16d2242213e8