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At roughly 1,700 feet Taum Sauk Mountain is the highest point in Missouri. Here you'll find Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, which includes a picnic area, an overlook (handicap accessible I believe), a paved trail to the highest point in the state, and a few options for hiking. There is a loop trail that will take you to Mina Sauk Falls, the highest water fall in the state, along the way you'll find yourself in clearings that will open up to great views of the Missouri Ozark's.
The loop trail will also meet up with the Ozark Trail. From there you can take a hike to Devil's Toll Gate. Devil's Toll Gate is an eight foot split between two huge rocks. A wagon trail used to pass through this area, when the wagons would reach Devil's Toll Gate, they would be emptied of their cargo, turned sideways to fit through the break in the rocks, and then reloaded on the other side. This is some very rugged terrain for Missouri, so wear your hiking boots and bring plenty of water. You can can continue on the OT to Johnson's Shut In's. The Taum Sauk to JSI is normally done over the course of two or three days by backpackers.
All of the campsites are first come first serve and are on the honor system through the Iron Ranger. Also, all camp sites are walk in, but usually it's a short walk from the parking space to the camp site. There is also a Scout Camp area for larger groups. This past weekend, we camped at Scout Camp B. This large camp site is one of the most secluded parts of the camp grounds. There is a clearing that could probably hold twenty tents comfortably, with two picnic tables and two fire rings. Scout Camp B is about 50 yards from the parking area. We were treated with sunny weather with highs in the 60's on Saturday, by noon on Sunday we were in a hail storm. Luckily we were packed up and heading home when the hail started, perfect timing!
The loop trail will also meet up with the Ozark Trail. From there you can take a hike to Devil's Toll Gate. Devil's Toll Gate is an eight foot split between two huge rocks. A wagon trail used to pass through this area, when the wagons would reach Devil's Toll Gate, they would be emptied of their cargo, turned sideways to fit through the break in the rocks, and then reloaded on the other side. This is some very rugged terrain for Missouri, so wear your hiking boots and bring plenty of water. You can can continue on the OT to Johnson's Shut In's. The Taum Sauk to JSI is normally done over the course of two or three days by backpackers.
All of the campsites are first come first serve and are on the honor system through the Iron Ranger. Also, all camp sites are walk in, but usually it's a short walk from the parking space to the camp site. There is also a Scout Camp area for larger groups. This past weekend, we camped at Scout Camp B. This large camp site is one of the most secluded parts of the camp grounds. There is a clearing that could probably hold twenty tents comfortably, with two picnic tables and two fire rings. Scout Camp B is about 50 yards from the parking area. We were treated with sunny weather with highs in the 60's on Saturday, by noon on Sunday we were in a hail storm. Luckily we were packed up and heading home when the hail started, perfect timing!