Taum Sauk Mountain State Park

Further information: Taum Sauk Mountain

Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
Cascade
Mina Sauk Falls during wet weather
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park is located in Missouri
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
Location in Missouri
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park is located in the United States
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park (the United States)
LocationIron and Reynolds counties, Missouri, United
Coordinates37°34′17″N 90°43′45″W / 37.57139°N 90.72917°W / 37.57139; -90.72917[1]
Area8,395.07 acres (3,397.36 ha)[2]
Elevation1,772 ft (540 m)[1]
Established1991[3]
Administered byMissouri Department of Natural Resources
Visitors42,042 (in 2023)[2]
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

Taum Sauk Mountain State Park is a Missouri state park located in the St. Francois Mountains in the Ozarks. The park encompasses Taum Sauk Mountain, the highest point in the state.[4] The Taum Sauk portion of the Ozark Trail connects the park with nearby Johnson's Shut-ins State Park[5] and the Bell Mountain Wilderness Area, which together are part of a large wilderness area popular with hikers and backpackers.

History

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Main article: Taum Sauk Hydroelectric Power Station

In 2005, a mountain top reservoir burst, sending a billion gallons of water through parts of the park and other nearby areas including Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park.[6]

Activities and amenities

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The park has a rustic campground, a paved trail to the highpoint, picnic facilities, and a lookout tower providing a view of the dense mountain forest obscured from other vantage points.

Mina Sauk Falls

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Mina Sauk Falls, the highest waterfall in Missouri,[7] is reached via a rugged trail that makes a three-mile (5 km) loop from the highpoint parking area.[8] The falls have cascading waters only during times of wet weather; at other times they are reduced to a trickle or less.

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  • Taum Sauk summit, the highest point in Missouri
    Taum Sauk summit, the highest point in Missouri
  • High point plaque on Taum Sauk
    High point plaque on Taum Sauk
  • The contiguous Taum Sauk Mountain and Johnson's Shut-ins state parks consist of 16,050 acres (65.0 km2) in the Missouri Ozarks
    The contiguous Taum Sauk Mountain and Johnson's Shut-ins state parks consist of 16,050 acres (65.0 km2) in the
    Missouri Ozarks

References

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  1. ^ a b "Taum Sauk Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ a b "Data Sheet: Taum Sauk Mountain State Park" (PDF). Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  3. ^ "State Park Land Acquisition Summary". Missouri State Parks. August 25, 2011. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  4. ^ "Taum Sauk Mountain State Park". Missouri Department of Natural Resources. December 10, 2010. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  5. ^ "Taum Sauk Section". The Ozark Trail. Ozark Trail Association. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  6. ^ "10 years since Taum Sauk dam gave way". KFVS 12. December 14, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  7. ^ "St. Francois Mountains Natural Area". Missouri Department of Conservation. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  8. ^ "Taum Sauk Mountain State Park Trails". Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
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