Taum Sauk Mountain State Park Photo: Yinan Chen / Public Domain
United States › Missouri

Taum Sauk Mountain State Park

ByWilderness Experts

Fast facts

  • Size: about 7,500 acres (30 km²)
  • Highest point: Taum Sauk Mountain, about 1,772 feet (540 m), the highest point in Missouri
  • Waterfall: Mina Sauk Falls, the tallest waterfall in Missouri
  • Trail link: the Ozark Trail, including the rugged Taum Sauk section
  • Gateway: Ironton and Arcadia
  • Managed by: Missouri State Parks

The landscape

Taum Sauk Mountain rises in the St. Francois Mountains, among the oldest exposed rock in North America. Forested hills give way to open rocky glades with wildflowers and wide views. Mina Sauk Falls cascades down volcanic rock in wet seasons. Deer, wild turkeys and many birds live here.

Best time to go

Spring brings the best flow at Mina Sauk Falls and glade wildflowers. Fall colour peaks in late October. Winter is quiet and clear. Summer is hot and humid, and the falls may slow to a trickle.

Mina Sauk FallsPhoto: Kbh3rd · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Devils TollgatePhoto: mostateparks · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons
Taum Sauk MountainPhoto: Yinan Chen · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons
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Getting there and around

The park is reached from Highway 21 near Ironton, with a road to the summit, campground and trailheads. The Ozark Trail runs through the park toward Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park.

Things to do

A short paved path leads to the state’s high point, and the Mina Sauk Falls loop descends to the waterfall over rocky terrain. Backpackers tackle the Taum Sauk section of the Ozark Trail, one of the most rugged stretches in the state, with backcountry camping by registration.

Staying safe

Trails below the summit are rocky and steep, and rock near the falls is slick. Carry plenty of water, since sources are limited. Check for ticks and chiggers and watch for venomous snakes. Register for backcountry camping and leave a trip plan.

Know before you go

This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm current conditions and registration with Missouri State Parks before you go.

Navigation
Coordinates
37.5379, -90.7724
Magnetic declination
1.6° W (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

14 places in Taum Sauk Mountain State Park

A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.

On the trail 5

Trailheads

Campgrounds

Sights 9

Waterfalls

Point of interest

Peaks

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Day hikeCar campingWeekend backpackingMulti-day/expedition

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Terrain
MountainsForestRivers
Key hazards
Rockysteep trail sectionsSlick rock at the fallsTicks and chiggersVenomous snakesSummer heat
Best seasons
Spring, Fall (foliage), Winter
Difficulty
Easy to strenuous
Access / trailheads
Off Highway 21 near Ironton, in the St. Francois Mountains, about 2 hours south of St. Louis.
Water
Limited; treat all stream water and carry plenty.
Cell / satellite coverage
Patchy in the hollows.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911. Park office: 573-546-2450.
Permits & regulations
Register online before backcountry camping. The basic campground is reserved through Missouri State Parks.
Leave No Trace
Register before backcountry camping, stay on the trail across fragile glades, and pack out all waste.
Conditions by month

October This month

Average high68°F(20°C)20°C(68°F)
Average low46°F(8°C)8°C(46°F)
Rainfall3.1 in(78 mm)78 mm(3.1 in)
Daylight, mid-month11 h 17 minSunrise 7:10 a.m., sunset 6:27 p.m.

What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.

Plan a trip here →

Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the Potosi station, 25 miles (40 km)40 km (25 miles) away at 1,175 feet (358 m)358 m (1,175 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official park website → Last verified 2026-09-21

Nearby parks

Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.

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