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.
Wandering Jana March views on the Whispering Pines Trail.
Wandering Jana A few rapids can be found on Pickle Creek.
Wandering Jana Not a bad view.
Wandering Jana Now some May views on the White Oaks Trail. It was a wet spring.
Wandering Jana 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.
Wandering Jana This ravine is a muddy mess in the Spring.
Wandering Jana Some sort of violet.
Wandering Jana Double arch.
Wandering Jana A lot of interesting rock formations in this park.
Wandering Jana A very little waterfall on Pickle Creek.
Wandering Jana A weeping rock.
Wandering Jana I really should not have climbed on a bunch of wet rocks to get this photo. Totally fell on the way back.
Wandering Jana Rock formations and a view.
Wandering Jana 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.
Wandering Jana An easy but interesting trail.
Wandering Jana The trail is an out and back and covers some exposed areas of the top of the mountain.
Wandering Jana Views from a mountain top meadow.
Wandering Jana At the very top of the mountain, the rocks get a bit more interesting.
Wandering Jana I’m not sure what is going on here, but it sure looks cool.
Wandering Jana 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.
Wandering Jana It didn’t take long for me to see a Blue Heron on the Blue Heron Trail. The name fits.
Wandering Jana A gorgeous spring.
Wandering Jana Turtle!
Wandering Jana 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.
Wandering Jana 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.
Wandering Jana At least I took some photos of this cave with my iPhone. A river flows through the cave.
Wandering Jana 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.
Wandering Jana Flowstone totally looks like melted ice cream.
Wandering Jana This room is awesome.
Wandering Jana More melted ice cream.
Wandering Jana This massive feature didn’t really turn out on either of my cameras. It’s at least a couple of stories tall.
Wandering Jana 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.
Wandering Jana The horribly named Coonville Creek. So bad.
Wandering Jana A little waterfall up ahead.
Wandering Jana Finally got a butterfly to cooperate. I think this one is a Giant Swallowtail. Hard to tell at this angle.
Wandering Jana You actually have to walk across the creek right here, but it’s super shallow.
Wandering Jana A very orange butterfly, a Great Spangled Fritillary. That is a ridiculous name.
Wandering Jana 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!
or
Check out all these other posts on the Ozarks!
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