The Ozarks: State Parks

Explorations of a whole bunch of parks found on the Ozark Plateau.

Since relocating from the Eastern Shore of Maryland to Missouri in March, I’ve explored a bunch of parks in the Ozarks. However, I am super behind in writing due to having to document a five-week long road trip around Spain and then being delayed for other reasons, like moving. So, I am sticking a bunch of the parks I have visited together in this post.

The first park is Hawn State Park, a place I’ve hiked a couple of times. Even though it is the closest park to me, the trails are on the long side, so I often go someone else. My first visit to Hawn was because I was camping there while I was looking for an apartment nearby. A lot cheaper than a hotel for sure.

Hawn State Park, MissouriJana Irving

March views on the Whispering Pines Trail.

rapids. Hawn State Park, MissouriJana Irving

A few rapids can be found on Pickle Creek.

rapids. Hawn State Park, MissouriJana Irving

Not a bad view.

Hawn State Park, MissouriJana Irving

Now some May views on the White Oaks Trail. It was a wet spring.

Chipping Sparrow eating caterpillar. Hawn State Park, MissouriJana Irving

A Chipping Sparrow enjoying its lunch.

Next to Hawn State Park, is Pickle Springs Natural Area, my favorite park in the area. There are a bunch of little waterfalls in the spring and early summer. Most are rain fed. So, if it hasn’t rained good in a while there won’t be much. I’ve been to Pickle Springs quite a few times. Spring is the best time to go.

ravine. Pickle Springs Natural Area, MissouriJana Irving

This ravine is a muddy mess in the Spring.

some sort of violet. Pickle Springs Natural Area, MissouriJana Irving

Some sort of violet.

double arch. Pickle Springs Natural Area, MissouriJana Irving

Double arch.

Pickle Springs Natural Area, MissouriJana Irving

A lot of interesting rock formations in this park.

mini waterfall. Pickle Springs Natural Area, MissouriJana Irving

A very little waterfall on Pickle Creek.

weeping rock. Pickle Springs Natural Area, MissouriJana Irving

A weeping rock.

waterfall. Pickle Springs Natural Area, MissouriJana Irving

I really should not have climbed on a bunch of wet rocks to get this photo. Totally fell on the way back.

view. Pickle Springs Natural Area, MissouriJana Irving

Rock formations and a view.

little waterfall. Pickle Springs Natural Area, MissouriJana Irving

Another little waterfall.

On my way back home from Ozark National Scenic Riverways, I stopped by Hughes Mountain Natural Area. The short trail leads to the top for some great views.

Hughes Mountain Natural Area, MissouriJana Irving

An easy but interesting trail.

Hughes Mountain Natural Area, MissouriJana Irving

The trail is an out and back and covers some exposed areas of the top of the mountain.

Hughes Mountain Natural Area, MissouriJana Irving

Views from a mountain top meadow.

Hughes Mountain Natural Area, MissouriJana Irving

At the very top of the mountain, the rocks get a bit more interesting.

Hughes Mountain Natural Area, MissouriJana Irving

I’m not sure what is going on here, but it sure looks cool.

Hughes Mountain Natural Area, MissouriJana Irving

I was very glad I stopped.

I went to Onondaga Cave State Park on very hot mid-June day. I had planned to camp overnight but it was just way too hot. So, I just did a short walk on the Blue Heron Trail and then did a couple of cave tours.

blue heron. Blue Heron Trail. Onondaga Cave State Park, MissouriJana Irving

It didn’t take long for me to see a Blue Heron on the Blue Heron Trail. The name fits.

Blue Heron Trail. Onondaga Cave State Park, MissouriJana Irving

A gorgeous spring.

turtle. Blue Heron Trail. Onondaga Cave State Park, MissouriJana Irving

Turtle!

dragon fly. Blue Heron Trail. Onondaga Cave State Park, MissouriJana Irving

Close up on a dragonfly. There were also a ton of butterflies along the trail, too. But they were jerks and wouldn’t stay still long enough for me to get a decent picture.

cave frog. Onondaga Cave State Park, MissouriJana Irving

Now for Onondaga Cave. This is some sort of cave frog. I didn’t catch the name because there were a lot of loud children on the tour. This is one of the few photos that turned out decent from my regular camera. I totally forgot it sucks in caves.

underground river. Onondaga Cave State Park, MissouriJana Irving

At least I took some photos of this cave with my iPhone. A river flows through the cave.

Onondaga Cave State Park, MissouriJana Irving

I think these are called the Twins. I’m surprised I heard anything over the kids. This cave is gigantic. The caverns are super open in much of the area shown.

Onondaga Cave State Park, MissouriJana Irving

Flowstone totally looks like melted ice cream.

Onondaga Cave State Park, MissouriJana Irving

This room is awesome.

Onondaga Cave State Park, MissouriJana Irving

More melted ice cream.

Onondaga Cave State Park, MissouriJana Irving

This massive feature didn’t really turn out on either of my cameras. It’s at least a couple of stories tall.

Onondaga Cave State Park, MissouriJana Irving

Those stairs lead up to the lagoon. I went back again to this cave since it was so cool.

And finishing up with St. Francois State Park. I only hike one trail, Mooner’s Hollow Trail. It really was a nice visit.

Francois State Park, MissouriJana Irving

The horribly named Coonville Creek. So bad.

Francois State Park, MissouriJana Irving

A little waterfall up ahead.

Giant Swallowtail. Francois State Park, MissouriJana Irving

Finally got a butterfly to cooperate. I think this one is a Giant Swallowtail. Hard to tell at this angle.

Francois State Park, MissouriJana Irving

You actually have to walk across the creek right here, but it’s super shallow.

Great Spangled Fritillary. Francois State Park, MissouriJana Irving

A very orange butterfly, a Great Spangled Fritillary. That is a ridiculous name.

Pipevine Swallowtail. St. Francois State Park, MissouriJana Irving

Another butterfly, a Pipevine Swallowtail. Who names these things?

 

The Ozarks are full of great little parks. I have so many more parks to explore, so you will probably get another one of these miscellaneous Ozark posts.

 

Check out my next update where I follow a bit of the Oregon Trail!

orĀ 

Check out all these other posts on the Ozarks!

About Wandering Jana

Traveling the world to discover the past.
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