State Parks and National Parks

Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park

Over millions of years in Missouri's St. Francois Mountains, rapid river waters have carved potholes, chutes and canyonlike gorges, called shut-ins, in the rocky terrain. Three designated natural areas recognize the outstanding qualities of the shut-ins, fen and dolomite glade.

Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park is home to one of the finest examples of a shut-in in Missouri. Here, the East Fork of the Black River has cut a gorge through the blue-gray, steel-hard volcanic rock. A wheelchair-accessible trail overlooks this geologic feature.

Also in the park are such distinctive features as "glades," combining traits of desert and prairie, whose unique wildlife includes scorpions and cacti.

The park's 8,470 acres include two designated wild areas. The East Fork Wild Area is a 1,110-acre tract in a near-wilderness state, harboring a remarkable biological diversity. Its trails, including several miles of the 500-mile Ozark Trail, provide a rare natural experience.

Goggins Mountain Wild Area, with 4,874 acres, includes not only its namesake but a knob of Bell Mountain, both about 1,500 feet high. Here visitors can catch a glimpse of the beauty and solitude of presettlement Missouri.

There is a new 10-mile horse trail on Goggins Mountain.

Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park has 51 campsites for year-round camping, although water is shut off from November to April. A fee is charged for camping and reservations are recommended.

Those seeking a primitive camping experience can backpack the Ozark Trail leading to the federal Bell Mountain Wilderness and to Taum Sauk Mountain, the state's highest point.

Swimming in the river is permitted, although diving is prohibited. Rock climbing is by permit only at designated sites and only in the off-season. Anglers fish for bass, bluegill and "goggle eye."

A maximum 100-car visitation limit is maintained by park staff. Gates open at 7 a.m. and visitors are advised to arrive early to avoid waiting for entry to the park. Pets are not allowed at the Shut-Ins or on trails.

Note: In 2005, the nearby Taum Sauk Reservoir breached, sending 1.3 billion gallons of water through the major day-use area of the park. Most of the facilities in the area along the East Fork of the Black River were either destroyed or damaged. It is anticipated that the park will be fully operational for the 2008 season.

Photo credits in order: Courtesy of Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Courtesy of Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Courtesy of Missouri Department of Natural Resources.