These 13 Incredible Places In Missouri Will Bring Out The Explorer In You

Find yourself at the top of Missouri! The highest point in the state is in this park. The scenery includes hickory forests, rocky glades and even a portion of the Ozark Trail.

Hike one of the seven trails through rugged terrain and find yourself in view of colossal hills above a deep blue spring.

Onondaga Cave is a National Natural Landmark, providing guided tours. This park also features the Vilander Bluff which provides a panoramic view of the Meramec River.

Stone Water calls itself an Adventure resort, with zip lining, ATV's, horses, trails, as well as water skiing, kayaking and wake-boarding. They even have an evening cruise nightly and a restaurant. Find out more at stonewatercove.com.

Spending all day walking around these gorgeous gardens is sure to make for a wonderful day. They have demonstration gardens, a butterfly house, a farmstead and a playground as well as access to the South Creek Greenway trail.

This park on Forest Lake features fishing, boating, and swimming as well as hiking and mountain biking trails. They have a marina with boat rentals and a Petroglyph shelter with Native American rock carvings. There are campsites and seven duplex cabins, if you want to make it more than a day trip.

Giant elephant-shaped granite boulders are the main attraction and reason for the name at this park, but there is more to do and see. They have an interpretive braille trail that winds through the rocks, picnic areas, a trail that leads to engine house ruins, and a playground. There is also rock climbing and rappelling, but it requires a permit and there is no solo climbing allowed.

The ruins of a turn of the 20th century castle built high atop a bluff may be the main attraction, but there is so much more to do! There are more than 15 miles of trails, fishing and boating in the lake, 20 picnic areas and two shelters, a special use camping area, a playground, sandbox and horseshoe pits. Although there is no designated swimming area, a hike on one of the many trails leads you to natural wonders such as sink holes, natural bridges, and caves.

This park features a gorgeous mixture of prairie, woodland and forest along a creek running through it. There are basic and electric campsites, family campsites and special use areas available. Features include trails, kayak rentals, interpretive programs, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, picnic sites and shelters, a playground, and orienteering courses.

Three main trails take you on an escape through nature: Pickle Creek Trail, White Oak Trail and Whispering Pine Wild Area. Discover beautiful exposed rock, clear, sand-bottomed streams, wild orchids, LaMotte Sandstone Barrens, or Botkin's Pine Woods. There are basic and electric campsites and a special use area, 30 picnic sites and a picnic shelter with a playground.