With all the things to do in Missouri in the fall, our schedules are usually jam-packed with fun. Our biggest challenge is finding a way to fit it all - leaf peeping, pumpkin-picking, scenic drives, leisurely hikes - in. If you don't already have a bucket list, now's the perfect time to start one. Adding the best things to do in Missouri in the fall makes it easy to get started.
Missouri Fall Foliage: Where to Go in Missouri for Fall Foliage
Missouri in the fall is simply enchanting. Even a simple walk through our neighborhood promises beautiful views of the foliage. The crisp temperatures also make it an idyllic time for an adventure. Start planning your leaf-peeping adventures by knowing when the leaves will change colors in Missouri. The peak of the Missouri fall foliage depends on where you are in the state. However, the peak usually occurs between mid- and late October, with the color changes beginning in the middle of September. That gives you plenty of time to make plans, starting with some of the best places to visit in Missouri in the fall.
1. Weston Bend State Park
- Location: Weston
- Wow Factor: A scenic vista boasts some of the best views of the fall foliage in Missouri.
- Need To Know: The park has picnic tables, so bring a meal.
Conveniently located around a half hour outside Kansas City, Weston Bend State Park promises plenty of ways to admire the Missouri fall foliage. If you're up for an adventure, follow one of the trails, all of which are rated either easy or moderate, on foot or bike. The easy, stroller-friendly Bear Creek Trail clocks in at half a mile, making it a fun way to walk amongst the colorful trees and admire the foliage. A playground and picnic tables are also available.
2. Dogwood Canyon Nature Park
- Location: Lampe
- Wow Factor: Go on a walk to see the park's waterfalls flanked by the fall foliage.
- Need To Know: Dogwood Canyon Nature Park charges an admission fee. Activities, including guided tours and horseback riding, will cost additional.
A beloved year-round destination in Lampe, Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is simply magical when the leaves change colors in the fall. The 10,000-acre nature park offers a full menu of amenities, including guided tours, horseback riding, and trout fishing. Rent a bike or wear a pair of comfy shoes. The park boasts more than 15 miles of paved and nature trails, making it easy to breathe in the crisp air and drink in the colors of the season.
3. Crowder State Park
- Location: Trenton
- Wow Factor: Camping is available through the end of November.
- Need To Know: Kayaking and boating are allowed in Crowder Lake, but you'll have to bring your own since it's the off-season.
Crowder State Park's more than 1,900 acres promise plenty of ways to marvel at the fall foliage. If you've got a boat or a kayak, slip it into the 18-acre Crowder Lake for a bit of exploring. Four hiking trails wander through the state park, but you'll need to be up for the challenge. Two earn a hard rating while the other two are considered moderate. If you don't feel like hiking, kick back and relax with a leisurely picnic.
4. Ha Ha Tonka State Park
- Location: Camdenton
- Wow Factor: The castle ruins, framed by the fall foliage, are breathtaking. Bring a camera.
- Need To Know: Kayaks are available for rent through October.
One of the best places to view the Missouri fall foliage, Ha Ha Tonka State Park's crowning jewel is, arguably, its castle ruins. Follow the short, sweet, and easy .08-mile Castle Trail that leads to the ruins and an overlook with sensational views of the Lake of the Ozarks. For a relaxing way to view the fall foliage, rent a kayak or pack a picnic.
Best Pumpkin Patches in Missouri
We all have that one thing that reminds us that fall has finally arrived in Missouri. For some of us, it's a trip to our favorite pumpkin patches in Missouri, where we go on a hayride, pick pumpkins, and dig into our favorite fall treats. While we have our favorites, it's always fun to try somewhere new, too, right? Here are a few more of the best pumpkin patches in Missouri that are worthy of a spot on your autumn bucket list.
5. The Pumpkin Pad
- Location: Lone Jack
- Wow Factor: The 75-acre farm features more than 30 attractions.
- Need To Know: Admission is $14.99 plus tax. Children one year and under are free.
If you've been searching for the best fall activities near me in Missouri, you've hit upon one of the best with The Pumpkin Pad. Start your autumn adventure with a visit to the 20-acre pumpkin patch to pick out your favorites. That, however, is just the beginning of the fun. Climb aboard for a hay ride; escape from the eight-acre corn maze; try your hand at inflatable axe throwing, and grab a delicious bite from the food trucks.
6. Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch
- Location: Kearney
- Wow Factor: The 300-acre farm has more than 30 attractions and activities.
- Need To Know: You can purchase tickets online or at the gate.
The Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch hosts one of the best fall festivals in Missouri, but it all starts with a trip to the U-pick pumpkin patch. Search for your favorite pumpkins, for decorating or baking, before exploring the rest of the family-friendly attractions. How long will it take you to escape from the corn maze? Carve out plenty of time for your visit, so you can (yes, adults can, too!) go down the giant slide; pet the farm animals; cheer on the pig races, and shoot apples from a cannon. Work up an appetite because you have scrumptious seasonal goodies - from turkey legs to pumpkin donuts - from which to choose.
7. Fischer Farms Pumpkin Patch
- Location: Jefferson City
- Wow Factor: The pick-your-own pumpkin patch spans more than 40 acres
- Need To Know: Admission is $8 per person for guests three years and older.
Pile the whole family in the car. Destination: Fischer Farms Pumpkin Patch, a favorite fall destination in Missouri for 25 years, promises a full day of fun. Explore the more than 40-acre pumpkin patch that's brimming with pumpkins of all sizes. Enjoy a hayride, and time how long it takes to find your way out of the 10-acre corn maze. So many photo-worthy moments await, including posing on the photo-op chair, so bring your camera. Stock up on gourds, mums, and corn stalks for all your fall decorating.
Best Fall Festivals in Missouri
Autumn leaps alive with color and activity, and we have no shortage of fall festivals to add to our bucket list. From walking past glowing pumpkins to going on an old-fashioned hayride, the best fall festivals in Missouri offer something for everyone.
8. Augusta Harvest Festival
- Location: Augusta
- Wow Factor: One of the highlights of the daylong festival, the parade kicks off at 10:30 a.m.
- Need To Know: The Augusta Harvest Festival will be held on Sept. 21, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mark your calendar for the final official day of summer and the Augusta Harvest Festival. The daylong festival kicks off with a Fun Run at 9 a.m. and is followed by the parade at 10:30 a.m. Activities include a pie-eating contest, a car show, and a live owl demonstration. Stop by the petting zoo, and watch the kiddos hop up and down in the bounce house before checking out the street fair, where you'll find live music and delicious food and drink.
9. Silver Dollar City Harvest Festival/Pumpkins in the Park
- Location: Branson
- Wow Factor: Several popular Silver Dollar City rides, including Time Traveler, are open for Rides Into The Night during Pumpkins in the Park.
- Need To Know: Tickets are available online.
Silver Dollar City is the place to be when autumn rolls around, and it promises daytime and evening fun. During the day, enjoy the Harvest Festival, an annual event with a full menu of fun. Visit and learn from craftsmen; watch a cook-off at Cowboy Camp, and indulge in seasonal goodies like pumpkin whoopie pies. When the sun goes down, Silver Dollar City glows with the Pumpkins in the Park. Marvel at the glowing pumpkins; join a pumpkin dance party; snap photos with characters, and watch a master pumpkin carver work his magic. Save some time, too, for a ride or two.
10. Rhymers Ridge Fall Harvest Festival
- Location: Jefferson City
- Wow Factor: Unicorn (yes!) rides are available.
- Need To Know: The annual Missouri fall festival runs from the end of September until the beginning of November.
A monthlong celebration of all things autumn, the Rhymers Ridge Fall Harvest Festival has one activity that will thrill the littles: Unicorn rides. (A fee is required to ride the unicorns, ahem, horses.) Wander through the pumpkin patch or, if you're in a hurry, you can purchase already-picked pumpkins. Are you brave enough to zip down the giant slide before meeting some of the farm's friendly animals? Say hi to the peacocks, cows, goats, sheep, and donkeys.
11. Liberty Fall Fest
- Location: Liberty
- Wow Factor: The festival will feature more than 200 vendors and artists.
- Need To Know: Admission to the festival is free.
For nearly half a century, Liberty Fall Fest has brought autumn revelers together for a full weekend of fun at the end of September. The weekend features an old-fashioned carnival with rides and booths. Show off your talent by signing up for the chalk art contest; enjoy live music, and grab a seat on the sidelines for the Saturday morning parade.
12. Maple Leaf Festival
- Location: Carthage
- Wow Factor: The 10-day festival is jam-packed with family-friendly fun.
- Need To Know: The Maple Leaf Festival, celebrating its 58th year, runs from Oct. 11-19, 2024
For 10 glorious days every fall, the Maple Leaf Festival returns to Carthage with a full menu of family-friendly fun that includes a parade, dachshund races, a rodeo, a tractor show, a car show, and a quilt crawl. The festival will feature an old-fashioned carnival with rides, live entertainment, a petting zoo, and food vendors.
Free & Cheap Missouri Fall Activities
Celebrating autumn doesn't have to break our budgets. Some of the best Missouri fall activities are free. If you're watching your wallet or simply want to spend some time outdoors, start with these free Missouri fall activities.
13. Set off on a fall hike
- Location: Weston
- Wow Factor: Awe-inspiring views of the Missouri River and the Missouri fall foliage.
- Need To Know: Perfect for a fall stroll.
With more than 1,400 trails in Missouri, we're never too far from one that has everything we're looking for, whether we want an easy stroll or a challenging trek. Often described as an easy walk, the .06-mile Missouri River Trail won't take more than a half-hour. The pretty path follows train tracks and leads to the Missouri River. However, the highlight is the brilliant shades of orange, red, and gold of the landscapes in the fall.
14. Go on a fall bike ride
- Location: Ballwin
- Wow Factor: The trail features a bluff with breathtaking views of the fall foliage and the Meramec River Valley.
- Need To Know: The trail is popular with hikers and bikers; just be prepared for a challenge.
If you're up for a challenge, you won't find one better - or prettier during autumn - than the Lone Wolf Trail. The difficult trail spans 1.6 miles, but Missouri State Parks advises carving out at least an hour and 40 minutes to complete. Blazed in yellow, the loop trail is lined with colorful trees and leads to a bluff overlooking the Meramec River Valley.
15. Take a drive on a scenic byway
- Location: Mark Twain National Forest
- Wow Factor: Scenic overlooks that offer sweeping views of the Missouri fall foliage.
- Need To Know: Set your GPS to follow the scenic byway.
Meandering 24 miles through Mark Twain National Forest, Blue Buck Knob Scenic Byway is an easy way to admire the fall foliage. The scenic road passes wooded areas, farmland, and pastures, and leads to several scenic overlooks, including Indian Creek Overlook and Blue Buck Overlook. If you have time, pull over to drink in the views.
What are your favorite things to do in Missouri in the fall? Did any of them make this list? Which would you add? Let us know in the comments! Up for more fall fun? Follow this fall foliage road trip in Missouri on a one-of-a-kind autumn adventure. Before you go, though, check out the OIYS road trip essentials packing list.
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