Lace up your hiking boots, because these scenic overlooks are worth the effort. Did you know our state was so gorgeous?
- Castlewood State Park – Ballwin
Marshall John/Flickr.com Take the Cedar Bluff Loop Trail or Lone Wolf Trail up, up, and up for stunning views of the Meramec River.
- Lewis and Clark Trail – Defiance
Kara/Flickr.com This 9-mile trail isn’t short, but it sure is sweet. Don’t miss the short spurs coming off the main trail—they offer beautiful views of the Missouri River.
- Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area – Branson
Doug Wertman/Flickr.com For stunning views of Branson, visit the Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area. A short 0.4-mile stroll gets you from the parking lot to a 40-foot viewing tower.
- Table Rock State Park - Branson
CMFRIESE/Flickr.com Take the 3.5-mile Blue Loop of the White River Valley Trail System for scenic views of Table Rock Lake’s dam.
- Jack’s Fork River – Eminence
Christopher Friese/Commons.Wikimedia.org The 1.8-mile Alley Spring Overlook Trail offers view of, you guessed it, Alley Spring. Bonus: There’s a waterfall along the way!
- Taum Sauk Mountain State Park – Ironton
Keith Yahl/Flickr.com The Taum Sauk Mountain overlook via Mina Sauk Falls Trail offers stunning views of the St. Francois Mountains.
- Glade Top Trail in Mark Twain National Forest – Ava
Missouri Division of Tourism/Flickr.com This 23-mile trail (it’s a byway so don’t worry, you can drive it) offers views of the rolling countryside.
- Trail of Tears State Park – Jackson
Kris Chapman/Flickr.com Take the 9-mile Peewah Trail for commanding views of the Mississippi River from the bluffs.
- The Ozark Trail
Granger Meador/Flickr.com The 300-mile Ozark Trail includes many scenic overlooks. Two highlights include those found from Jerktail Loop Trail, which offers views of the Current River. Bonus: This trail is meant for horses!
- Eagle Bluffs State Park – Columbia
Joneser005/Flickr.com Head to the Overlook Trail– here you’ll find a scenic overlook of the river valley. Warning: the hike to get there isn’t easy, but it’s worth it!
To explore more of Missouri’s natural beauty, check our state’s top byways, lakes and swimming holes.
Marshall John/Flickr.com
Take the Cedar Bluff Loop Trail or Lone Wolf Trail up, up, and up for stunning views of the Meramec River.
Kara/Flickr.com
This 9-mile trail isn’t short, but it sure is sweet. Don’t miss the short spurs coming off the main trail—they offer beautiful views of the Missouri River.
Doug Wertman/Flickr.com
For stunning views of Branson, visit the Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area. A short 0.4-mile stroll gets you from the parking lot to a 40-foot viewing tower.
CMFRIESE/Flickr.com
Take the 3.5-mile Blue Loop of the White River Valley Trail System for scenic views of Table Rock Lake’s dam.
Christopher Friese/Commons.Wikimedia.org
The 1.8-mile Alley Spring Overlook Trail offers view of, you guessed it, Alley Spring. Bonus: There’s a waterfall along the way!
Keith Yahl/Flickr.com
The Taum Sauk Mountain overlook via Mina Sauk Falls Trail offers stunning views of the St. Francois Mountains.
Missouri Division of Tourism/Flickr.com
This 23-mile trail (it’s a byway so don’t worry, you can drive it) offers views of the rolling countryside.
Kris Chapman/Flickr.com
Take the 9-mile Peewah Trail for commanding views of the Mississippi River from the bluffs.
Granger Meador/Flickr.com
The 300-mile Ozark Trail includes many scenic overlooks. Two highlights include those found from Jerktail Loop Trail, which offers views of the Current River. Bonus: This trail is meant for horses!
Joneser005/Flickr.com
Head to the Overlook Trail– here you’ll find a scenic overlook of the river valley. Warning: the hike to get there isn’t easy, but it’s worth it!
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