Taum Sauk Mountain State Park sits atop Missouri’s highest point at 1,772 feet in the rugged St. Francois Mountains of Iron and Reynolds Counties. Spanning over 7,500 acres of Ozark wilderness, this state park delivers something rare in Missouri — genuine elevation and the dramatic scenery that comes with it.

The park’s crown jewel is Mina Sauk Falls, Missouri’s tallest waterfall, cascading 132 feet over volcanic rock that dates back 1.5 billion years to the Precambrian era. The three-mile Mina Sauk Falls Trail loops from the highpoint marker down to the falls and back through dense hardwood forest, with rocky glades and panoramic ridgeline views along the way. It’s a moderately challenging hike with real reward.

Beyond the signature trail, the park connects to the Ozark Trail system, offering longer backpacking routes through some of the most remote terrain in the state. The shut-ins and igneous rock formations throughout the area make this landscape feel more like Appalachia than the Midwest.

The park offers basic amenities — picnic areas and trailhead parking — but no developed campgrounds on-site. Backpack camping is available along the Ozark Trail for those looking to spend the night in the backcountry. Nearby Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park provides full campground facilities and makes an excellent companion visit.

Fall is the ideal season here, when the hardwood canopy ignites with color and cooler temperatures make the rocky trails comfortable. Spring brings the falls to their fullest flow after seasonal rains.

Explore Nearby

• Mark Twain National Forest — National Forest in Missouri
• Mary’s River Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Illinois
• Shawnee National Forest — National Forest in Illinois
• Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route — Scenic Byway in Illinois
• Crowley’s Ridge Parkway — Scenic Byway in Arkansas