Missouri’s St. Francois Mountains: An Unspoiled Wilderness of Water and Rock
In the deep woods and rocky hills of the state’s southeast, stunning beauty and epic hiking await.
Johnson’s Shut-Ins is a water-carved canyon of granite, resulting in numerous chutes and waterfalls.
By Roy Harryman
Publisher, Kansas City Hiker
When we think of the Ozarks, we may picture lakes jammed with inebriated boaters. Or sequin suits and music in Branson. We may even be familiar with some of southern Missouri’s natural features closer to Kansas City.
But if you want to see the state’s real, wild beauty, it’s found in the Arcadia Valley in southeast Missouri. It’s a trip that’s best for a long weekend (or more) because it’s five hours from KC – with a good chunk of that on winding two-lane roads.
With that said, it’s the state’s epicenter of rugged nature. Geographically, it’s unique. The ancient St. Francois Mountains are older than the Appalachians. They’re also built from granite, resulting in spectacularly-colored cliffs, peaks and boulders.
Taum Sauk Mountain offers views of up to 15 miles away on a clear day.
The trifecta
Three state parks are within 10 miles of one another, and all are within range of overnight accomodations.
The state’s high point, 1,772-foot Taum Sauk Mountain, is also home to Missouri’s highest waterfall, plunging 130 feet down granite ledges.
Only a few miles away, Johnson’s Shut-Ins is an erosion-carved granite canyon with numerous chutes, waterfalls and ripples. Kids and adults love to splash around in them.
And, between these two locales is Elephant Rocks State Park, a showcase of giant granite boulders.
Elephant Rocks State Park is a tour through mighty granite boulders.
These three destinations are only a few miles apart, making a trip to the Arcadia Valley worthwhile. The largest town in the area is Ironton. It’s frequented by tourists, but it’s not a classic tourist town or tourist trap. It’s a small, mountain town that happens to attract visitors interested in enjoying nature. A testimony to the region’s remoteness is that it’s home to the state’s largest connected tracts of designated wilderness areas.
Beyond the three state parks mentioned here, the 430-mile Ozark Trail runs through the area.
The best time to visit? In the off-season. When school is in session, there are fewer guests. In addition, the weather is more pleasant, allowing you to avoid Missouri’s classic summer heat, bugs and poison ivy.
Whenever you go, the Arcadia Valley sets a high bar for experiencing rugged and wild nature in the Show Me State.
Roy Harryman is the publisher of Kansas City Hiker.
