State Parks and National Parks

Roaring River State Park

An average of 20 million gallons of water gush every day from the spring that feeds the headwaters of the Roaring River. The beauty of the river and its rugged surroundings have attracted visitors to this part of the Ozark hills for decades.

Rainbow trout fishing is another draw. A hatchery at Roaring River State Park stocks the river daily from March through October. The hatchery also offers tours.

There are five wheelchair-accessible fishing piers.

The park covers 3,945 acres, 2,075 of which are designated as the Roaring River Hills Wild Area. Its deep hollows and towering ridges shelter the rare Ozark chinquapin tree and two unusual salamander species. More common wildlife includes deer, bobcats, racoons and numerous wintering bald eagles.

The park has about 10 miles of hiking trails leading to a variety of attractions, including the Devil's Kitchen - a rock formation resembling a building - and a hardwood preserve. The Deer Leap Trail has a wooden walkway around the spring. Interpretive programs and displays are offered at the nature center and an amphitheater.

Roaring River maintains more than 187 for-fee campsites in three campgrounds, plus cabins, a store and a modern inn and convention center. The camping areas have a full complement of modern conveniences and wheelchair-accessible campsites and fishing pier.

Photo credits in order: Courtesy of Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Courtesy of Roaring River State Park.