Posted in Missouri Nature July 08, 2023 by

The Ultimate Missouri Waterfall Road Trip Will Take You To 7 Scenic Spots In The State

The greatest thing about a road trip featuring waterfalls is that the falls are all located in beautiful state parks and natural areas, guaranteeing that the falls won’t be all you see. With this Missouri waterfalls map, that trip has never been easier to take. Take a hike with a beautiful waterfall rewarding you at the end.  Explore a city park with numerous attractions.  No matter where you find the falls, you will have fun just getting there, so take your time and look around a bit. Off we go on the ultimate road trip to the best waterfalls in Missouri.

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1. Cascades, Forest Park, St. Louis
Forest Park, 5595 Grand Dr, St. Louis, MO 63112, USA
Flickr/Melissa
Also known as Flegel Falls, the 75-foot waterfall known as the Cascades was built in the 1930s and is named for the World’s Fair Cascades that ran down Art Hill during the fair in 1904. They are located in Forest Park on a steep slope west of the Saint Louis Art Museum.

Check out this video:

Of all the waterfalls in Missouri this is not one to miss.
2. Hickory Canyons, Ste. Genevieve
Hickory Canyons Natural Area, New Offenburg, MO 63670, USA
YouTube/ Tom Kelemen
After a rain event, a large wet-weather waterfall can be enjoyed from the end of the Hickory Canyons Natural Area Trail on the east side of the county road. A nice, easy half-mile hike will take you past several rocky bluffs and overhangs on the way to the waterfall.

Here's a video of the area:

This beauty might inspire you to take a waterfalls road trip.
3. Mina Sauk Falls, Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, Hwy. CC, Middle Brook, MO 63656, USA
Wikimedia/ By Kbh3rd - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0
Mina Sauk Falls is the highest waterfall in Missouri. It cascades 132 feet over a series of ledges into Taum Sauk Creek. It is a wet-weather waterfall that flows best after a rain. Located in Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, it is conveniently located adjacent to our next location.

This is one of the most spectacular finds on any waterfalls in Missouri map.
4. Johnson’s Shut-Ins, Taum Sauk Mountain
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, Hwy. CC, Middle Brook, MO 63656, USA
Flickr/ azta110790
Nearby Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, at the foot of Taum Sauk Mountain, is home to falls or "shut-ins" created by volcanic rock that is carved out by the East Fork of the Black River. You can approach the falls from countless angles, and at many points, the river cascades in many rivulets over and around igneous rocks worn smooth over time.

Click here for more information.
5. Rocky Falls, Stegall Mountain Natural Area
Rocky Falls, Winona Township, MO 65588, USA
Flickr / Granger Meador
Rocky Falls, Winona Township, MO 65588, USA
Flickr/ Tim Hamilton
Rocky Falls in Shannon County is another waterfall that can also be considered a shut-in. Located nine miles southeast of Eminence on Highway NN, Rocky Falls’ cascades down sixty feet of igneous rock into a pool of cold, clear water. Rocky Falls is a popular spot with swimmers during the hot summer months, although it's an ideal destination to visit any time of the year.

Of all the waterfalls near me this may be the most stunning.
6. Marvel Cave, Branson
Marvel Cave, Ruth C Township, MO 65737, USA
Flickr/ Lynae Zebest
Editor's Note: Marvel Cave is temporarily closed.

Marvel Cave is a National Natural Landmark located just west of Branson on top of Roark Mountain in Stone County. Located 505 feet below the surface, the Waterfall Room is the lowest room on the cave tour. The source of the water is from the underground stream named The Lost River.

For more information about the Marvel Cave, visit Marvel Cave.
7. Grand Falls, Joplin
Grand Falls, 5685 Riverside Dr, Joplin, MO 64804, USA
Wikimedia/ By AbeEzekowitz at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0
Grand Falls is the largest continuously flowing waterfall in Missouri. The natural falls are created by a ledge of solid chert rock that measures 163 feet across. The water from Shoal Creek then plunges 12 feet to a rock ledge. While it is not the tallest waterfall, it is a must-see while in the Joplin area, and you are guaranteed to see it flowing every time you visit.

This stunning waterfall make us want to dive right in!

The road trip could just as easily work backward, from Joplin to St. Louis, or start at any point in between.  There are other, lesser-known falls that you might find along the way, as well as lots of options for staying the night or catching a great meal.  Do you plan on setting off on a road trip to the best waterfalls in Missouri? Let us know in the comments! Do you like wine? How about pairing your next road trip with wine and waterfalls?

Address: Forest Park Avenue, Forest Park Ave, St. Louis, MO, USA
Address: Hickory Canyons Natural Area, New Offenburg, MO 63670, USA
Address: Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, Hwy. CC, Middle Brook, MO 63656, USA
Address: Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, 148 Taum Sauk Trail, Middle Brook, MO 63656, USA
Address: Stegall Mountain, Pike Township, MO 63941, USA
Address: Marvel Cave, Ruth C Township, MO 65737, USA
Address: Grand Falls Blvd, Joplin, MO 64804, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

best waterfalls in Missouri

January 04, 2020
Beth Price-Williams

What are the best waterfall hikes in Missouri?

Discover some of the most beautiful waterfalls on one of the many waterfall hikes in Missouri. The one-mile Western Trail at Hickory Canyons Natural Area in Ste. Genevieve leads to a gushing waterfall. Along the trail, you’ll also pass through canyons, over streams, and along a series of small waterfalls. Western Trail is rated moderate, so make sure you’re up for the challenge.

For another picturesque hike, set off on the 1.8-mile Waterfall Trail. The trail travels along Roark Creek, which is dotted with a series of waterfalls. The largest waterfall is always gushing, even if there’s been a dry period. That’s because it’s powered by a pump. Bring lunch, too, so you can find a rock near the waterfall and enjoy a leisurely picnic.

What is the largest waterfall in Missouri?

Nestled in Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, Mina Sauk Falls holds the title of the tallest waterfall in Connecticut. The spectacular waterfall boasts several tiers and drops a total of 132 feet, making it a must-see whether you live in or are visiting Missouri. You’ll probably want to see Mina Sauk Falls in all seasons – it’s just as beautiful when it’s gushing in the summer as when it’s frozen in the winter. Follow the three-mile Mina Sauk Falls Trail, which has been rated between moderate and difficult. (Be prepared for rocky terrain and some slippery parts, especially after a recent rainfall or snowfall.)

Are there any other scenic hikes in Missouri?

You’ll discover a ton of scenic hikes in Missouri that will allow you to explore its natural beauty. Johnson’s Shut-Ins Trail, for example, will lead you along a picturesque boardwalk that then merges into a dirt trail. During the warmer months, the canopy of the trees will shade you from the hot sun. The loop trails offers sensational views of the Black River, a small waterfall (if you’re visiting after a rainfall), and the shut-ins. Don’t forget your bathing suit, if you’re hiking in the summer, so you can cool off in the shut-ins.

Another picture-perfect Missouri hike is the Sandy Creek Covered Bridge Trail. The extremely short trail spans just .02 miles, but it features an historic covered bridge, a park, and scenic spots for a picnic.

Address: Forest Park Avenue, Forest Park Ave, St. Louis, MO, USA
Address: Hickory Canyons Natural Area, New Offenburg, MO 63670, USA
Address: Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, Hwy. CC, Middle Brook, MO 63656, USA
Address: Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, 148 Taum Sauk Trail, Middle Brook, MO 63656, USA
Address: Stegall Mountain, Pike Township, MO 63941, USA
Address: Marvel Cave, Ruth C Township, MO 65737, USA
Address: Grand Falls Blvd, Joplin, MO 64804, USA