Graham Cave State Park, Missouri — Graham Cave has provided shelter for humans for up to 10,000 years and has yielded arrowheads, pottery and other artifacts.

An impressively wide cave entrance has been home to humans for up to 10,000 years.

Trail Trails at Graham Cave State Park

Overview
Missouri’s Graham Cave State Park is one of those just-off-the-interstate phenomena that most motorists are oblivious of. And that’s not a bad thing, – we can keep the park’s serenity to ourselves. Graham’s namesake cave is impressive, with an entrance 120 feet wide. At one point, the cave extended 100 feet into the hill, with up to 16 feet of height. Debris infill has slowly reduced its size. Although the cave can no longer be entered, visitors can peer inside along the full length of the rock shelf that forms it. Archeology has determined that hunters and gatherers have used it for up to 10,000 years, but apparently never made it a permanent home. Finds have included pottery, arrowheads and spears. Beyond the cave, which only takes a few minutes to see, the 386-acre park is a wealth of trails. Rocky hills, clear streams and waterfalls are found throughout its 4.6 miles of trails. The area’s foundation is dolomite limestone and sandstone – prime material for erosion to create caves, cliffs and crystalline streams. A noted feature is the Graham Cave Glades Natural Area, an 82-acre zone comprised of of sandstone and dolomite glades. While most trails crisscross rocky and rolling terrain, the Loutre River Trail is a quiet path through bottomland forest next to the stream.

Length There are 4.6 miles of trails throughout the park.

Address and location Graham Cave State Park, 217 State Hwy TT, Danville, Mo. 63361.

Distance The park is about two and a-half hours from Downtown Kansas City. It is east of Columbia, Mo., right off I-70. Graham Cave is near Columbia, Mo., so can be visited on the same trip as other area hiking destinations. It’s also a great pit stop if you’re headed from Kansas City to St. Louis on I-70.
Conditions Most of Graham Cave State Park’s trails are natural surface, but there are a few paved sections. There are a few relatively steep elevation grades, but the trails are of no more than moderate difficulty.

Kid friendly? The paved trails are stroller friendly. Otherwise, kids will need to walk. Children will enjoy rocks and streams and there is also a playground at the park.
How busy? This park is moderately busy, particularly on holidays and in optimal weather.
Pets Yes, on a leash.
Official website