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CommentsThe State of State Parks
As green turns to orange, there's still time for one last mini-vacation. Here are eight great in-state options.
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Photo Courtesy Roaring River Roaring River State Park |
It’s October: daylight starts to recede from the workday and school kids pout their way to homeroom. But don’t let the fading days induce your winter hibernation just yet. There’s still a chance for a last weekend getaway at one of 417-land’s often-overlooked hidden gems: state parks. 417-land is home to eight of more than 40 state parks in Missouri, and they offer plenty of outdoors adventure. Whether you plan to cast a few lines, hike a mile along a well-worn trail or stuff yourself with s’mores, local state parks are certainly not suffering from a lack of activity.
“A lot of people don’t realize what they have in their own backyard,” says Sue Holst, the information officer for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. And with gas prices keeping most vacationers timid, a short trip to a state park is easy on the wallet—none of Missouri’s state parks charges an entrance fee. Most of the parks offer reasonably priced campsites, modest dining prices (especially if it involves a campfire) and, of course, tons of free activities, says Holst. So pull on the hiking boots: It’s time to unleash the inner Boy (or Girl) Scout.
Into the Wild
Prairie State Park
Coordinates: Mindenmines, 417-843-6711, 100 miles northwest of Springfield
Acres: 3,942
Amenities: camping, hiking, wildlife
Take a hike: During the right season, the Gayfeather Trail takes hikers through the best wildflower blooming areas the park has to offer. At just more than two miles, the trail is more for the nature enthusiast rather than a determined hiker.
Prairie State Park is home to Missouri’s largest remaining tall grass prairie, which once covered a third of the state. Today, less than one percent of the prairie remains intact, and it’s been preserved as a state park for visitors to enjoy. “The park is a small piece of what used to exist all across Western and Northern Missouri,” says Park Manager Brian Miller.
Nature-enthused families can take walks through the park and catch glimpses of the 130 roaming bison (which have been reintroduced to the area) or close to 30 elk. Other animals include prairie chickens and several types of birds. Because the animals travel freely within the park, Miller suggests giving the animals plenty of distance if you encounter them on a trail.
The prairie itself is home to native tall grasses, which usually grow between seven and eight feet high, in addition to several varieties of wildflowers. School programs, day camps and evening events are held throughout the season, and include wildflower hikes, lectures at the nature center and the Prairie Jubilee, an event held every September to celebrate the prairie.
It’s a Dive
Roaring River State Park
Coordinates: Cassville, 417-847-2539, 70 miles southwest of Springfield
Acres: 4,093
Amenities: camping, dining, lodging, swimming, fishing, hiking, diving
Take a hike: The park’s most popular hiking trail is called Deer Leap, and it’s barely more than two-tenths of a mile long. But the hike overlooks the deep blue lake that filters from the park’s spring and remains 57° year-round.
Roaring River’s natural spring is a haven for adventurous divers. “They haven’t even found the bottom,” says Diana Conner, the office support assistant who has been with the park for 17 years. The bottom of the spring becomes increasingly narrow, and divers have reported underwater creatures that have adapted to living without sunlight.
But families can still enjoy the park without taking the plunge, says Conner. The park welcomes spelunkers (permit required), and there’s trout fishing and live entertainment at the park’s amphitheater. The museum-style nature center shows off live animals and a small aquarium. When it’s time to sleep, there are 187 campsites and cabins, plus rooms at the Mountain Inn and Conference Center.
