Beat the Winter Blues by Exploring Rural Missouri, the Perfect Snowy Escape

I'm going to be honest here for a second: I absolutely love the state of Missouri. I can't even count the ways; it's scenic and beautiful everywhere you turn. There's true wilderness here, but it's balanced with beautiful small towns and wonderful cities. When it gets cold out and the weather turns frightful, everything is somehow even better. Winter in Missouri is a wonderful time of year, and one of my favorite ways to enjoy it is simply meandering through all the most beautiful rural parts of the state.

It's easy - just bundle up and go. I know that sounds simpler than it actually is, but wearing the proper clothes for the temperature will be the deciding factor in how much you enjoy winter in Missouri. As the Norwegians say, there is no bad weather, only bad clothing!

I'm not even sure where to begin; it truly doesn't matter where you go: You're bound to discover all the wonders of the winter season. One of the best ways to start out is on the road; did you know that you can do some truly jaw-dropping winter day trips in Missouri that will show off the state? You could also opt for one of my all-time favorite scenic drives in Missouri - that'll do the trick.

One of my favorite things to do here in the winter is to visit small-town parks that many wouldn't even know were there. Branson is a small town with a big soul and seemingly endless things to do. My favorite parks in this little town include Alexander Park, North Beach Park, and the Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area.

Wherever you are in the Show-Me State, you're set - in fact, just the drive from home to your destination is guaranteed to be incredible, thanks to the wonders of rural Missouri in winter.

It's worth noting that many of our incredible state parks (of which there are 93) are rural or even super rural. Some of my favorites include Echo Bluff State Park, which is utterly incredible in the winter when covered in layers of snow and ice. Roaring River State Park is another wintertime highlight, looking positively painterly this time of year.

Even simply meandering the banks of the Missouri River can be incredibly relaxing for the spirit, offering incredible views of our wilderness that are unmatched. Enjoy hiking and camping year-round, even when it's chilly, and bundle up with the best gear from our friends at REI to stay nice and cozy the whole time.

With the incredible number of state parks present here, the hundreds of miles of hiking trails we can hike year-round, and the undeniable charm of its small towns, Missouri - especially all the best bits of rural Missouri - is an awesome wintertime escape for just about anyone to enjoy.

So, what do you think? Do you have any favorite must-see sights in Missouri during the winter? Do you have a favorite location you like to run away to and forget the bustle of life for a while? Tell me about it by filling out our nomination form.

Feeling inspired to plan your own winter adventure? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.