Posted by Andrea Durway
Where to See Waterfalls in Missouri This Summer—Perfect for St. Louis Staycations
July is National Parks and Recreation Month, so we taking a minute to explore some of Missouri’s most beautiful state and national parks—especially the ones with waterfalls. It’s hot, it’s high summer, and for those of us in St. Louis, a full-blown vacation might not be in the cards. That’s where short road trips and scenic staycations come in. Whether you’re looking for a cool swimming hole, a shady hike, or a hidden cascade tucked in the Ozarks, Missouri delivers. From urban gems to off-the-beaten-path adventures, here are the best spots to chase waterfalls this summer. We bet they’re pretty great in the fall too!
Town-Side and Day-Trip Favorites
Grand Falls – Joplin (Shoal Creek)
- Missouri’s largest continuously flowing waterfall: a 12‑ft drop across 163 ft of ledge
- Convenient and picturesque—ideal for a quick day trip.
- Visit website
City Garden Falls & Forest Park Falls – St. Louis area
- City Garden Falls is part of downtown St. Louis’s sculpture park, with a charming 6‑ft artificial cascade
- Forest Park also boasts a waterfall known as the Cascades within its lush grounds
Minas and Mountain Majesties
Mina Sauk Falls – Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
- With a 132‑ft drop, Mina Sauk Falls is Missouri’s tallest waterfall, pouring into a box canyon on Taum Sauk Creek
- A rugged 2.9-mile loop known as the Mina Sauk Trail brings you up close
- The park also features the state’s highest peak (1,772 ft) and links to Johnson’s Shut‑Ins via the Ozark Trail
Johnson’s Shut‑Ins State Park
- This neighboring gem offers volcanic rock chutes sculpted by the East Fork of the Black River. The Johnson’s Shut-Ins are not a traditional waterfall, but a popular, heart‑pumping water slide and swimming hole.
Canyon & Crest Waterfalls
Hickory Canyon Falls – near Farmington
- A narrow, scenic waterfall within Hickory Canyons Natural Area. A short 1–1.5 mile hike takes you past side falls and bluffs
Don Robinson State Park
- Meander through sandstone canyons on Sandstone Canyon Trail, a nearly 4‑mile loop to multiple wet-weather falls
Ozark Creeks & Mark Twain Forest
Marble Creek Falls & Line Creek Falls – Mark Twain National Forest / Kansas City area
- Feeling ambitious? Marble Creek Falls is accessible via a 10‑mile trail in the Recreation Area
- Line Creek Falls is north of Kansas City and features an upper and lower cascade and easy hikes from separate trailheads, perfect for wading.
Rocky Falls – Ozarks National Scenic Riverways
- Rocky Falls are part of Rocky Creek shut‑ins, offering a deep swimming pool and rugged 7‑mile trail leading to Klepzig Mill
Lesser-Known Treasures
Bryant Creek State Park
- Features creekside vistas along winding, dolomite‑lined Bryant Creek with scenic drops and riffles .
Ha Ha Tonka State Park
- While famous for bluffside ruins and spring water, close inspection reveals small waterfall features amid karst formations in Ha Ha Tonka.
Final Thoughts
Missouri offers a surprising variety of waterfall experiences—from towering cascades and volcanic shut-ins to urban oasis falls. Whether you’re planning a rigorous hike in the Ozarks or a quick scenic stop, there’s a waterfall to match your mood and energy level. Be sure to check park trail conditions, pack essentials, and chase those wet-weather rushes for maximum waterfall wow!
