Mina Sauk Falls Trail

Taum Sauk Mountain is the highest point in Missouri. If this sounds daunting - don't worry, there is parking near the top of the mountain. In fact, you can walk about 500 feet from the parking lot and say that you've "hiked" to the highest elevation in the big MO!

But it is not the plaque that is the main attraction here (at least, in my humble opinion). It is the falls about 1.5 miles down the mountainside from this point that are really worth seeing. 

Base of Taum Sauk Falls

Taum Sauk Falls outflow

They look the best after a heavy rain, but the trail to them is easily flooded. So if you go - wear shoes which you don't mind getting muddy and be prepared for a long and slow hike back to the car!

The Taum Sauk Falls trail interconnects with the Ozark Trail and is part of a connecting trail that is only 13 miles to Johnson's Shut-Ins SP, which could make for a nice hike. I would certainly advise wearing your sturdy boots due to the amount of loose rocks along the trail. I have weak ankles, and my boots saved me more than once on this trail!

Be sure to visit the look out tower while you are at the falls. As you are driving the road will come to a Y, and you will take a left to go to the tower and a right to the falls. The tower used to be used to watch for wildfires, but has been decommissioned and serves as a beautiful view for tourists.

Below is a link to the park site, enjoy!!

http://www.mostateparks.com/park/taum-sauk-mountain-state-park