Life might be pretty uncertain for all of us right now – whether we’re essential workers or sheltered at home. One thing, however, is certain. We have so many beautiful places in Missouri just waiting for us to visit when restrictions start to ease. If you haven’t already started making a list of things you want to do in the not-too-distant future, here are 11 places that are worthy of consideration.
- Johnson’s Shut-Ins – Middle Brook
Flickr/Brad Kebodeaux Expect natural beauty no matter what time of the year you visit Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, where you’ll find Johnson’s Shut-Ins. If you’re visiting in the summer, however, be sure to wear your swim suit. The shut-ins provide the perfect way to cool down and have a little summer fun. Click here for the official website of Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park.
- Table Rock Lake – Branson
Flickr/Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau Pair the natural beauty of Table Rock Lake, in Branson, with a full menu of fun activities, and you’ve got the perfect day out. The lake offers several areas for swimming (although there are no designated beach areas), or you can spend your day on the like. Popular activities include kayaking, canoeing, and boating. Click here for the official website of Table Rock Lake.
- Meramec River
Flickr/GPA Photo Archive The Meramec River is, undoubtedly, one of the most staggeringly beautiful places in Missouri. If you visit Meramec State Park, you can drink in the natural beauty on a floating, canoeing, or rafting trip. Click here for the official website of Meramec State Park.
- Dogwood Canyon – Lampe
Facebook/Dogwood Canyon You definitely don’t want to forget your camera when you visit Dogwood Canyon, where you’ll find a ton to do. Explore the gorgeous grounds on a horseback riding tour, by bike, or on a segway tour. You can even stop by the canyon’s restaurant, which boasts spectacular views of a tumbling waterfall. Click here for the official website of Dogwood Canyon.
- Grand Falls – Joplin
Trip Advisor/jmpncsu Missouri’s bursting with breathtaking waterfalls. One of the prettiest is, undoubtedly, Grand Falls. The “largest continuously flowing natural waterfall” in the state, Grand Falls provides an ideal backdrop for a picnic and a swim in the cool water. Click here for the official website of Visit, Joplin.
- Meramec Caverns – Sullivan
Flickr/Tydence Davis Billed as Missouri’s buried treasure, Meramec Caverns promises an adventure. Join a half an hour guided tour of the natural wonder, or join the longer Cavern Tour. However, that’s just the beginning of the fun. You can also go ziplining, climbing on the climbing wall, and on a float trip when you return above ground. Click here for the official website of Meramec Caverns.
- Gateway Arch – St. Louis
Flickr/apple.white2010 Drink in sensational views of the St. Louis skyline from atop the Gateway Arch, one of Missouri’s most treasured landmarks. After your journey to the top of the Arch, consider visiting The Museum at the Gateway Arch or embarking on a river cruise past the Arch. Click here for the official website of the Gateway Arch.
- Blue Spring – Eminence Township
Trip Advisor/Alan T. Jaw dropping views await at Blue Spring, a natural area for more than four decades. Wear your hiking boots and hit the Blue Spring Trail. The nearly three-mile trail will take you right to the beautiful spring. Click here for the official website of Blue Spring.
- Powell Gardens – Kingsville
Facebook/Powell Gardens Stroll through Kansas City’s spellbinding Powell Gardens. The botanical gardens feature seven themed gardens, including the Fountain Garden, the Heartland Harvest Garden, and the Perennial Garden. Click here for the official website of Powell Gardens.
- Clifty Creek Natural Bridge – Dixon
Flickr/henskechristine Set off on the Clifty Creek Natural Area Trail, which spans 2.5 miles, and leads to the breathtaking Clifty Creek Natural Bridge. Snap photos of the stunning 40-foot long natural bridge that crosses over Clifty Creek. Click here for the official website of Clifty Creek Natural Bridge.
- Elephant Rocks – Belleview
Wikimedia Commons/Fredlyfish4 Elephant Rocks State Park is definitely one of those bucket list-worthy destinations. Home to the natural Elephant Rocks, rocks naturally shaped like elephants in a circus line, the park also features hiking trails and picnic tables. Click here for the official website of Elephant Rocks State Park.
What do you think are the most beautiful places in Missouri? Let us know in the comments! If you don’t have the Black River on your must-visit list, you’ll definitely want to add it now. After all, it is the clearest river in Missouri.
Flickr/Brad Kebodeaux
Expect natural beauty no matter what time of the year you visit Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, where you’ll find Johnson’s Shut-Ins. If you’re visiting in the summer, however, be sure to wear your swim suit. The shut-ins provide the perfect way to cool down and have a little summer fun. Click here for the official website of Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park.
Flickr/Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau
Pair the natural beauty of Table Rock Lake, in Branson, with a full menu of fun activities, and you’ve got the perfect day out. The lake offers several areas for swimming (although there are no designated beach areas), or you can spend your day on the like. Popular activities include kayaking, canoeing, and boating. Click here for the official website of Table Rock Lake.
Flickr/GPA Photo Archive
The Meramec River is, undoubtedly, one of the most staggeringly beautiful places in Missouri. If you visit Meramec State Park, you can drink in the natural beauty on a floating, canoeing, or rafting trip. Click here for the official website of Meramec State Park.
Facebook/Dogwood Canyon
You definitely don’t want to forget your camera when you visit Dogwood Canyon, where you’ll find a ton to do. Explore the gorgeous grounds on a horseback riding tour, by bike, or on a segway tour. You can even stop by the canyon’s restaurant, which boasts spectacular views of a tumbling waterfall. Click here for the official website of Dogwood Canyon.
Trip Advisor/jmpncsu
Missouri’s bursting with breathtaking waterfalls. One of the prettiest is, undoubtedly, Grand Falls. The “largest continuously flowing natural waterfall” in the state, Grand Falls provides an ideal backdrop for a picnic and a swim in the cool water. Click here for the official website of Visit, Joplin.
Flickr/Tydence Davis
Billed as Missouri’s buried treasure, Meramec Caverns promises an adventure. Join a half an hour guided tour of the natural wonder, or join the longer Cavern Tour. However, that’s just the beginning of the fun. You can also go ziplining, climbing on the climbing wall, and on a float trip when you return above ground. Click here for the official website of Meramec Caverns.
Flickr/apple.white2010
Drink in sensational views of the St. Louis skyline from atop the Gateway Arch, one of Missouri’s most treasured landmarks. After your journey to the top of the Arch, consider visiting The Museum at the Gateway Arch or embarking on a river cruise past the Arch. Click here for the official website of the Gateway Arch.
Trip Advisor/Alan T.
Jaw dropping views await at Blue Spring, a natural area for more than four decades. Wear your hiking boots and hit the Blue Spring Trail. The nearly three-mile trail will take you right to the beautiful spring. Click here for the official website of Blue Spring.
Facebook/Powell Gardens
Stroll through Kansas City’s spellbinding Powell Gardens. The botanical gardens feature seven themed gardens, including the Fountain Garden, the Heartland Harvest Garden, and the Perennial Garden. Click here for the official website of Powell Gardens.
Flickr/henskechristine
Set off on the Clifty Creek Natural Area Trail, which spans 2.5 miles, and leads to the breathtaking Clifty Creek Natural Bridge. Snap photos of the stunning 40-foot long natural bridge that crosses over Clifty Creek. Click here for the official website of Clifty Creek Natural Bridge.
Wikimedia Commons/Fredlyfish4
Elephant Rocks State Park is definitely one of those bucket list-worthy destinations. Home to the natural Elephant Rocks, rocks naturally shaped like elephants in a circus line, the park also features hiking trails and picnic tables. Click here for the official website of Elephant Rocks State Park.
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Address: Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, 148 Taum Sauk Trail, Middle Brook, MO 63656, USAAddress: Table Rock Lake, United StatesAddress: Meramec River, Missouri, USAAddress: Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, 2038 State Hwy 86, Lampe, MO 65681, USAAddress: Grand Falls Blvd, Joplin, MO 64804, USAAddress: Meramec Caverns, 1135 Hwy W, Sullivan, MO 63080, USAAddress: Gateway Arch National Park, 11 N 4th St #1810, St. Louis, MO 63102, USAAddress: Blue Spring, Eminence Township, MO 63638, USAAddress: 1609 US-50, Kingsville, MO 64061, USAAddress: Clifty Creek Natural Bridge, 21671 MO-28, Dixon, MO 65459, USAAddress: Elephant Rocks State Park, Missouri 21, Belleview, MO, USA
