With a variety in topography, the views in The Show-Me State are astounding. Here you can find natural rock water-slides, deep blue springs, man-made mines, river valleys, and rolling hills, each offering their own special type of awe throughout the seasons. Here are some of the most beautiful places in Missouri that you need to see in person for the incredible, jaw-dropping views.

  1. Spring At Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Camdenton: This park features the 12th largest spring in the state.

Angie Slayton To plan your visit to one of the most beautiful parks in Missouri, head to the State Parks webpage.

  1. Meramec Caverns, Sullivan: Marvel at the incredible pool with stalactites (created by minerals dripping from the cave ceiling) and learn the history on a tour.

flickr/tydence To plan your tour, visit the Meramec Caverns website.

  1. St. Charles: The sun wakes up Missouri.

flickr/shotaku Learn more about St. Charles on the website.

  1. Castle Ruins, Ha Ha Tonka State Park: Check out the castle and turn 180 degrees and check out the Lake of the Ozarks - now that’s a double duty hike!

Angie Slayton

  1. Onondaga Cave State Park, Leasburg: You won’t find frogs on this underground lilly pad.

flickr/24164603@N00 To find out more about one of the most impressive hidden gems in Missouri, visit the Onondaga Cave State Park webpage.

  1. Elephant Rock State Park, Belleview: Bouldering anyone? This Missouri trail also includes and interpretative Braille trail.

lordolunch/TripAdvisor To learn more, visit the Elephant Rock State Park webpage.

  1. Grand Falls, Joplin: Who knew that you could find continuously flowing waterfalls in Missouri?

jmpncsu/TripAdvisor Read our article about why you should visit Grand Falls.

  1. Forest Park Art Hill & Grand Basin, St. Louis: The location of the 1904 World’s Fair provides a plethora of panoramas.

flickr/mattridings Visit our webpage for more on Forest Park.

  1. Forest Park Jewel Box, St. Louis: This Art Deco building is one among a myriad of gems at this 1,293-acre park.

flickr/mattridings To plan your visit to the Jewel Box, visit the webpage.

  1. Castlewood State Park, Ballwin: Enjoy over 1,200 acres of views accessible by bike, foot, boat and even horseback.

Wikimedia Commons/Yinan Chen Read our Castlewood State Park article to learn more.

  1. Johnson’s Shut-Ins, Middle Brook: Plunge pools and natural waterslides make for a hot destination to cool off in the summer months.

flickr/yahl Read more in our Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park post.

  1. Lake Taneycomo, Taney County: If you’re looking for places to photograph in Missouri, you must come here for the beautiful vistas. There’s also amazing angling.

wikipedia/Elkman Read our article on Lake Taneycomo for more.

  1. Marble Creek, Fredericktown and Arcadia: This is one place you can view an incredible sunrise in the Mark Twain National Forest.

flickrdishippy Check the Marble Creek Recreation Are webpage for details.

  1. Creve Coeur Park, Maryland Heights: Hike along one of many trails or boat across the lake on a fun-filled outdoor adventure.

Angie Slayton For more information and to plan your visit, head to the Creve Coeur Park webpage.

  1. Current River: Let your feet, eyes, or canoe wander for miles.

flickr/gmeador To plan a visit to the Current River State Park in Salem, go to the webpage.

These are just some of the most beautiful places in Missouri. Which one is your favorite?

Angie Slayton

To plan your visit to one of the most beautiful parks in Missouri, head to the State Parks webpage.

flickr/tydence

To plan your tour, visit the Meramec Caverns website.

flickr/shotaku

Learn more about St. Charles on the website.

flickr/24164603@N00

To find out more about one of the most impressive hidden gems in Missouri, visit the Onondaga Cave State Park webpage.

lordolunch/TripAdvisor

To learn more, visit the Elephant Rock State Park webpage.

jmpncsu/TripAdvisor

Read our article about why you should visit Grand Falls.

flickr/mattridings

Visit our webpage for more on Forest Park.

To plan your visit to the Jewel Box, visit the webpage.

Wikimedia Commons/Yinan Chen

Read our Castlewood State Park article to learn more.

flickr/yahl

Read more in our Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park post.

wikipedia/Elkman

Read our article on Lake Taneycomo for more.

flickrdishippy

Check the Marble Creek Recreation Are webpage for details.

For more information and to plan your visit, head to the Creve Coeur Park webpage.

flickr/gmeador

To plan a visit to the Current River State Park in Salem, go to the webpage.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Ha Ha Tonka State Park, 1491 Missouri D, Camdenton, MO 65020, USAAddress: Meramec Caverns, 1135 Hwy W, Sullivan, MO 63080, USAAddress: St Charles, MO, USAAddress: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, USAAddress: Onondaga Cave State Park, 7556 Missouri H, Leasburg, MO 65535, USAAddress: Elephant Rocks State Park, Missouri 21, Belleview, MO, USAAddress: Grand Falls Blvd, Joplin, MO 64804, USAAddress: Art Hill, 35-43 Fine Arts Dr, St. Louis, MO 63110, USAAddress: Forest Park, 5595 Grand Dr, St. Louis, MO 63112, USAAddress: Castlewood State Park, 1401 Kiefer Creek Rd, Ballwin, MO 63021, USAAddress: Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, 148 Taum Sauk Trail, Middle Brook, MO 63656, USAAddress: Lake Taneycomo, Missouri, USAAddress: Mark Twain National Forest, Birch Tree Township, MO 65438, USAAddress: Creve Coeur Park Connector, Missouri, USAAddress: Current River Township, MO 63935, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Most Beautiful Places In Missouri March 24, 2021 Melissa Mahoeny Where are some of the best places to photograph in Missouri? The Show-Me State has a lot to show in terms of beauty and you can’t go wrong taking your camera and snapping pictures just about anywhere here. From cityscapes to landscapes and everything in between, shutterbugs will be happy with all the photographic opportunities that present themselves around the state. Take a look at 10 Amazing Places in Missouri That Are A Photo-Taking Paradise for some ideas. What are the most beautiful hikes in Missouri? With the amount of hiking trails found around the state of Missouri, waterfall hikes are usually a crowd favorite. In Branson, the Roark Creek Waterfall trail leads not just to one, but two waterfalls! And at the length of just under two miles, the trail is easy enough for children to hike. Hickory Canyons, located near Ste. Genevieve, features two relatively easy trails that take you to a canyon, a creek, and a waterfall. This area is also rich with a plethora of plants and wildflowers. Which state parks should I visit in Missouri? It’s always a great idea to spend the day exploring a state park and Missouri has several amazing ones including the more recently-added Echo Bluff State Park. This park features forest, bluffs, a creek, and the Current River where you can enjoy swimming, canoeing, kayaking, or floating. It’s a great place to go tent camping or glamping in one of the on-site cabins. This is one state park you need to visit if you haven’t already. For birdwatching and nature views, head to Big Oak Tree State Park which has over 1,000 acres of impressive towering trees and a boardwalk for an easy hike.      

The OIYS Visitor Center

Most Beautiful Places In Missouri

March 24, 2021

Melissa Mahoeny

Where are some of the best places to photograph in Missouri? The Show-Me State has a lot to show in terms of beauty and you can’t go wrong taking your camera and snapping pictures just about anywhere here. From cityscapes to landscapes and everything in between, shutterbugs will be happy with all the photographic opportunities that present themselves around the state. Take a look at 10 Amazing Places in Missouri That Are A Photo-Taking Paradise for some ideas. What are the most beautiful hikes in Missouri? With the amount of hiking trails found around the state of Missouri, waterfall hikes are usually a crowd favorite. In Branson, the Roark Creek Waterfall trail leads not just to one, but two waterfalls! And at the length of just under two miles, the trail is easy enough for children to hike. Hickory Canyons, located near Ste. Genevieve, features two relatively easy trails that take you to a canyon, a creek, and a waterfall. This area is also rich with a plethora of plants and wildflowers. Which state parks should I visit in Missouri? It’s always a great idea to spend the day exploring a state park and Missouri has several amazing ones including the more recently-added Echo Bluff State Park. This park features forest, bluffs, a creek, and the Current River where you can enjoy swimming, canoeing, kayaking, or floating. It’s a great place to go tent camping or glamping in one of the on-site cabins. This is one state park you need to visit if you haven’t already. For birdwatching and nature views, head to Big Oak Tree State Park which has over 1,000 acres of impressive towering trees and a boardwalk for an easy hike.      

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

The Show-Me State has a lot to show in terms of beauty and you can’t go wrong taking your camera and snapping pictures just about anywhere here. From cityscapes to landscapes and everything in between, shutterbugs will be happy with all the photographic opportunities that present themselves around the state. Take a look at 10 Amazing Places in Missouri That Are A Photo-Taking Paradise for some ideas.

What are the most beautiful hikes in Missouri?

With the amount of hiking trails found around the state of Missouri, waterfall hikes are usually a crowd favorite. In Branson, the Roark Creek Waterfall trail leads not just to one, but two waterfalls! And at the length of just under two miles, the trail is easy enough for children to hike. Hickory Canyons, located near Ste. Genevieve, features two relatively easy trails that take you to a canyon, a creek, and a waterfall. This area is also rich with a plethora of plants and wildflowers.

Which state parks should I visit in Missouri?

It’s always a great idea to spend the day exploring a state park and Missouri has several amazing ones including the more recently-added Echo Bluff State Park. This park features forest, bluffs, a creek, and the Current River where you can enjoy swimming, canoeing, kayaking, or floating. It’s a great place to go tent camping or glamping in one of the on-site cabins. This is one state park you need to visit if you haven’t already. For birdwatching and nature views, head to Big Oak Tree State Park which has over 1,000 acres of impressive towering trees and a boardwalk for an easy hike.