Author: marklongmainstream (Page 172 of 339)

Grand Gulf State Park

In Missouri nature enthusiasts can take their pick of all the natural wonders.  From swimming holes, to show caves, to breathtaking views, to amazing geological rock formations there is a little bit of everything in this beautiful state.  But one thing most people don’t know, is that Missouri also has its own grand canyon.  Or Little Grand Canyon as its often called.  Grand Gulf State Park is located at State Hwy W, in Koshkonong, Missouri. For more information, click here. With 130 foot high walls, and even a 250 foot long natural bridge! To enjoy the park from a completely different perspective, consider making your way to the canyon floor! This 322 acre park, is located on Missouri’s southern border, and is one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the Ozarks!

Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park

Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is one of the most unique state parks in the region. Not only is it an excellent spot for hiking and camping,but its most famous for its epic natural water-park! Johnson’s Shut-Ins is located at 148 Taum Sauk Trail, in Middle Brook, Missouri. For more information, click here. During the summer months, the Shut-Ins transforms into a tropical oasis that is perfect for swimming, and even has a natural rock waterslide.  The unique wilderness qualities and geology of Johnson’s Shut-Ins and the neighboring St. Francois mountains make this park a special place to visit. The rugged character provides the perfect backdrop for hiking, camping, exploring, splashing around or just relaxing!

Rocky Falls

Rocky Falls is one of the most unique beach/waterfall combinations in the Midwest. Rocky Falls is located in Shannon County 9 miles southeast of Eminence on Highway NN, off of Route H. For more information, click here. The beach is surrounded with a beautiful rock backdrop, made up of stones more than a billion years old. This gorgeous area is highlighted by the waterfall that pours into the swimming area. The falls itself is a stunning site made up of steep rock formations. The waterfall cascades down over 60 feet from top to bottom, forming into a cool clear pool at the bottom. This is a great place to have a picnic and explore the waterfall area and do some day hiking.

Ha Ha Tonka State Park

Ha Ha Tonka State Park is one of the most amazing state parks you will find in the Midwest.  The park rests on more than 3,700 acres of rough, hilly, Ozark terrain.  Ha Ha Tonka is a popular destination for hikers looking to enjoy the 15 miles of pristine hiking trails.  The park has been referred to as a geological wonderland, with sinkholes, caves, a natural bridge, and one of the largest natural springs in the state, it’s easy to see why. One of the park’s most popular attractions is the ruins of a turn of the century stone castle. With so many amazing natural features, Ha Ha Tonka is one state park you will want to visit again and again. Ha Ha Tonka State Park is located at 1491 Missouri D, in Camdenton, Missouri. For more information, click here. 

Blue Springs Natural Area

Missouri is absolutely loaded with incredible natural springs. However there is one that has incredible sapphire blue water it doesn’t even look real. However Blue Spring near Eminence is 100% real. You don’t have to guess how it earned its name. Blue Spring is 14 miles east of Eminence or 14 miles west of Ellington off of State Route 106. For more information, click here. In an area just loaded with gorgeous sites, Blue Springs Natural Area still stands out above the rest. Just follow the  Blue Spring Trial path to the most stunning sapphire blue water you have ever seen! The spring is one of the deepest in the United States reaching depths of 310 feet in some areas. Blue Spring is accessible all year, but is most beautiful in the fall while the leaves are changing color and in the spring when the wildflowers bloom.

Sam A. Baker State Park

With the ancient St. Francois Mountains, the unspoiled natural landscape and the cool waters of the St. Francis River and Big Creek, Sam A. Baker State Park has something for everyone. Sam A. Baker State Park is located at 5580 MO-143, in Patterson, Missouri. For more information, click here. Access to both the river and creek gives anglers the opportunity to hook many varieties of fish and kayakers the chance to float year-round. Several miles of hiking, backpacking, bicycling and equestrian trails provide glimpses of the area as the earlier settlers found it. Exhibits in the park’s nature center interpret the natural and cultural history of the park. Sam A. Baker State Park has five named multi use trails throughout the park. One paved bicycle trail, and an equestrian trail as well.

Pickle Springs Natural Area

Pickle Springs is a 180-acre natural area that is registered as a National Natural Landmark. This hidden gem is one of Missouri’s best kept secrets. The park is known for its unusual rock formations, wet weather waterfalls, spectacular canyons, and wide range of plant species. Pickle Springs is without a doubt one of the most diverse natural areas in Missouri. Some of the interesting geological features include a natural double bridge that holds up a shelf of sandstone, narrow slot canyons, giant sandstone blocks, (known as Hoodoo’s) and of course Pickle Springs flowing out of a sandstone wall. Not only is the park known for its unique geology found throughout.  Pickle Springs is located on Dorlac Rd, in New Offenburg, Missouri. For more information, click here.

Elephant Rocks State Park

The southeastern corner of Missouri, is a perfect destination for outdoor lovers and nature enthusiasts alike. Nowhere is this more true than at Elephant Rocks State Park in Belleview, Missouri. For more information, click here. Elephant Rocks is a fairly small State Park with only about 150 acres to explore. However, there is so much to see and do you could spend an entire day hiking, climbing, and playing within the park. Visitors to Elephant Rocks State Park can easily view granite boulders from the one-mile Braille Trail, designed to accommodate people with visual or physical disabilities. The trail passes by a quarry pond, which supports a variety of animal life and offers breathtaking views. With so much to see and do it’s easy to see why Elephant Rocks State Park is considered one of the most unique parks in the entire Midwest.

Hawn State Park

It’s no secret that some of the best hiking trails in the Midwest can be found in the Missouri Ozarks, and Hawn State Park is certainly near the top of that list! Hawn State Park is located at 12096 Park Drive in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. For more information, click here. Rolling hills of pine, massive oak trees, sandy bottom streams, sandstone canyons and cliffs all come together at Hawn State Park, to create one of the most scenic landscapes in Missouri. This amazing park offers visitors a scenic and peaceful setting where they can hike, camp, picnic, and enjoy the great outdoors.

Maramec Springs

Whether its learning about the the Park’s deep history, fishing for trout, or exploring the spring, Maramec Spring Park has something for everyone to enjoy. The park is located at 21880 Maramec Spring Dr, St James, MO. For more information, click here. The Park contains the fifth largest spring in the state. An average of 100 million gallons of water flows from the Spring daily. The 200 acre public use area of the Park provides many amenities and activities for visitors such as a cafe, store, camping, wildlife viewing, fish feeding, picnicking, shelters, playgrounds and fishing. The beautiful spring is filled with rainbow trout, stocked daily by the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Echo Bluff State Park

This beautiful park is literally jam packed with astonishing sights. Echo Bluff State Park is located at 34489 Echo Bluff Drive in Eminence, Missouri. For more information, click here.  Echo Bluff State Park is a year-round outdoor destination that allows visitors to create new memories as they experience all the Ozarks have to offer. Visitors of all ages can fill their days floating, hiking, swimming or fishing. The park is surrounded with towering bluffs, a dense forest and the Sinking Creek. If that wasn’t enough, there’s also a beautiful natural spring hiding within the park. If you’re looking for natural beauty, luxurious accommodations and fun activities, than Echo Bluff State Park may just be the place for you!

Rock Bride Memorial State Park

Rock Bridge Memorial State Park contains a wide diversity of natural and cultural resources to explore. Some of Missouri’s finest examples of karst topography, restored grasslands, forests and streams rest within park boundaries. Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is located at 5901 South Highway 163, in Columbia, Missouri. More information on the park can be found by clicking here. Rock Bridge Memorial State Park gives visitors the chance to scramble, hike and bicycle through a scenic environment – and lets them peek into Missouri’s underworld. The park contains some of the most popular hiking trails in the state and also offers solitude while hiking in the Gans Creek Wild Area. Visitors can also see a large cave system with its rock bridge, sinkholes, a spring and underground stream at the Devil’s Icebox.

Onondaga Cave State Park

Another gem of Missouri’s unbelievable park system is the gorgeous Onondaga Cave State Park located on the Meramec River approximately 5 miles south of Leasburg. The park was established in 1982 and has numerous activities including cave tours, camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking, and swimming. Onondaga Cave State Park is located at 7556 Hwy H, Leasburg, MO 65535, for more information or to make a reservation click here. The highlight of this park is of course the Onondaga Cave, cave tours descend deep into the depths of Onondaga Cave State Park and drop into a world of wonder: towering stalagmites, dripping stalactites, and active flowstones help make the cave a National Natural Landmark and illustrate why Missouri is often called “The Cave State.”

Taum Sauk Mountain State Park

There is no doubt about it, Missouri has some of the most amazing state parks in the Midwest.  With so many great parks, it may be hard to find one that stands out above the rest.  However Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, is one park that stands high above the rest.  In fact the highest point in the state is in this park, as well as the highest wet-weather waterfall. The 7,500-acre state park features captivating views, and gorgeous scenery all year long. Including  challenging hiking trails, campsites, hickory forests, rocky glades and even a portion of the Ozark Trail. Taum Sauk Mountain State Park is located in the St. Francois Mountains, one of the most rugged and scenic areas of the state. Taum Sauk Mountain State Park is located on  Hwy. CC in Ironton, Missouri. For more information, click here. 

Roaring River State Park

The Roaring River at Roaring River State Park in Barry County is a wildly popular spot for outdoor recreation. The gorgeous river is nearly opaque blue in places, and in other spots the water is so clear you can easily see the scores of giant trout swimming past.  This is a great spot for hiking, camping, fly fishing, and sight seeing. The gorgeous blue spring is more than 220 feet in depth.  An average of 20 million gallons of water are fed into the Roaring River every single day by this incredible spring. Roaring River State Park is located at 12716 Farm Rd 2239, in Cassville, Missouri. For more information, click here.

The Shawnee Hills Glamping Retreat is a luxury glamping dome found just minutes from some of the Midwest’s most scenic sites! These incredible accommodations are located at 32 Cedar Grove Road, in Simpson, Illinois. For more information or to check availability, click here.

The Shawnee Hills Glamping Retreat is a luxury camping dome that offers a unique and memorable way to experience the great outdoors. This dome is designed to provide a luxurious and relaxing camping experience, while still allowing guests to feel connected to nature. Enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding scenery from inside the dome, thanks to the large windows and skylights.

This vacation home is located just minutes from iconic sites such as: Jackson Falls, Garden of the Gods, Bell Smith Springs, Millstone Bluff and so much more! Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour is also located nearby and provides hours of family fun!

This is one of the most unique glamping experiences in all of Illinois. Each glamping studio has 1 bathroom and can sleep up to two adults in a king sized bed!

Included is a washer and dryer, a walkout deck with charcoal grill, and a kitchen and dining area! There are no pets allowed on the property. To check availability, click here.

Outside the vacation home you will find a Hot Tub on the deck overlooking the forest, the deck has patio furniture set up. This is a perfect place for star gazing.  There is also a nice fire pit, however you will need to provide your own firewood. Just imagine sitting next to a crackling fire after a long day of exploring. This is the perfect way to enjoy your evening.

Each guest receives a personalized online Welcome Guide immediately upon booking- so you can plan your trip with all of the personal recommendations of places to go and things to do. This comes in very handy!

For more lodging options or campgrounds in the area, click here. For the best nearby parks and amazing locations, click here. For the best nearby family activities, click here.

Cascade Falls Aquatic Center is open Memorial Day to Labor Day! The water-park is located at 2350 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy, in Ankeny, Iowa. For more information, click here.

The Cascade Falls Aquatic Center is a bit of a hidden gem in Iowa, with most of the attention going to the states bigger attractions, but like I said this is a hidden gem and there is plenty of bang for your buck! With 21,880 sq. ft. of water surface area there is plenty of room for everyone!

One of my favorite features is the heated pool, keeping water temps a perfect 78 degrees all season long! There is also a FlowRider surf machine, an amazing lazy river, a lap pool, diving well and drop slide, and my personal favorite the high dive!

Cascade Falls Aquatic Center is open daily from noon to 7pm. Daily admission prices are $9 for general admission, $5 for senior citizens, and $2 for children two and under. Season passes are also available by clicking here.

Cascade Falls Aquatic Center is open Memorial Day to Labor Day! The water-park is located at 2350 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy, in Ankeny, Iowa. For more information, click here.

Looking for nearby lodging or campgrounds, click here. For the best family activities in the area, click here. For the best parks and amazing locations in the state, click here.