Taum Sauk State Park OZARK TRAIL The Taum Sauk Section of the Ozark Trail is 35 miles long and runs through the heart of the ancient St. Francois . One of the most popular and scenic portions of the Taum Sauk Section is the 14.5 miles between Taum Sauk Mountain State Park and Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park. This rugged portion of trail through two state parks winds across mountains of oak-hickory woodland dotted with shortleaf pine trees, bluffs and rocky glades.

The hike at Taum Sauk Mountain State Park begins on Mina Sauk Falls Trail with steep rocky climbs on high rock 'steps' that take hikers past the tallest waterfall in . Soon after passing the falls, Ozark Trail continues down the valley while Mina Sauk Falls Trail loops back up the mountain. One mile below the falls on Ozark Trail lies Devil's Tollgate, an 8-foot-wide passage through 50 feet of volcanic rhyolite standing 30 feet high. The trail continues on to Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park with several creek crossings. After reaching the park, it connects with Scour Trail and Goggins Mountain Equestrian Trail.

Follow the green and white 'OT' trail markers, allowing plenty of time to complete the hike. Watch out for trail intersections with old roads and fire lines. Carry plenty of water since water to treat for drinking may not be available along the trail. Seasonal flooding is possible and rocks are very slippery when wet.

Distance: 11.3 Miles Ozark Trail Uses: Hiking Backpacking

Blazes: Class: Linear You may experience: Surface Type: Natural 2) Natural Surface-dirt/mud/gravel, shifting rock, slippery surface, etc. Trail Rating: Rugged 3) Rocks, roots and/or downed vegetation on trail Estimated Hiking Time: 11 Hours, 16 Minutes 4) Low-hanging vegetation Trailhead & GPS Location: 7) Steep grades and inclines more than 10% 37.57280, -90.72827 8) Bluffs or drop-offs next to trail 10) Water/stream crossings without bridges

This trail or a portion of this trail travels through: St. Francois Mountains Natural Area LEGEND

RED TRAIL BLAZE COLORS & SURFACE TYPES TRAIL USE ORANGE The maps on this website indicate the blaze colors for each trail. If more Hiking Trail YELLOW than one trail shares tread, that portion of the trail is identified by more Backpacking Trail GREEN than one color. The surface type of a trail is indicated on the maps Mountain Biking Trail BLUE generated by this website by a pattern overlapping the blaze color of the BROWN Equestrian Trail trail. WHITE CONNECTOR Accessible SHARED TREAD Hardened-Surface Bicycling Trail TRAIL TYPE – Loop, Multi-loop, One Way, System or Multi-section Paddling Trail NATURAL A loop trail is one that will return you to the trailhead. Multi-loop trails GRAVEL offer two or more separate loops, ex. a trail having a north and south loop. Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Trail PAVED Motorized Boating Trail WATER A one-way trail takes you from the trailhead to the farthest point on the BOARDWALK trail and you will have to retrace your steps to return to the trailhead. If Wagon Suitable Trail you plan to return to your starting point on a one-way trail, you will have Interpretive Trail to double the distance to calculate your estimated mileage and/or hiking Fitness Trail time. Interpretive Water Trail A trail system is a series of interconnected trails that allow you to chose Wildlife Viewing Trail your own route. A Multi-section trail offers two or more separate sections, ex. Katy Trail POINTS OF INTEREST State Park, and distances are shown both for the entire trail and the Main Park Entrance / Park Entrance sections. Trailhead Parking Trail Access 1 Slippery conditions and/or YOU MAY EXPERIENCE downed vegetation These conditions are all things you may encounter while on a Missouri Overlook state parks trail. Trailhead signs at the start of each trail also indicate Restroom 2 Natural surface: dirt, mud, which conditions exist on that trail. gravel, shifting rocks, slippery Camping surface, etc. Special-Use Camping Area 3 Rocks, roots and/or ESTIMATED HIKING TIME Check Station / Park Office / Ranger Office downed vegetation on trail The estimated hiking time was determined by considering the average Visitor Center / Orientation Center user’s speed and the conditions that might be experienced on a specific 4 Low-hanging vegetation Emergency Response / First Aid trail. Your speed may be slower or faster than the time listed. 5 Physically challenging Picnicking obstacles Playground 6 Wood or stone steps GPS COORDINATES Technical Feature There are several methods of communicating GPS coordinates. Most GPS 7 Steep grades and inclines Natural Feature units will convert from one coordinate system to another. If you require a over 10% Cultural Feature different coordinate system for your unit, visit dnr.mo.gov/gisutils/ to 8 Amphitheater Bluffs or drop-offs next to convert the coordinates shown on this map to another version. trail Backpack Camping Shelter 9 Bridges and/or structural Backpack Campsite NATURAL AREAS / WILD AREAS crossings Boat Ramp Natural areas are identified in pink. Natural areas are recognized as the 10 Water/stream crossings Dining best remaining examples known of Missouri’s original natural without bridges environments. These natural areas are managed and protected for their Equestrian Parking 11 Occasional water over trail scientific, educational and Interpretive Panel 12 Road/Highway crossing historical values. Missouri Interpretive Shelter 13 Emergency response signs state parks have 38 Intersection 14 Narrow passages designated natural areas, Lodging / Cabin / Camper Cabin encompassing almost 15 Raised or protruding Marina / Boat Dock 22,000 acres. obstacles Nature Center Wild areas are identified 16 Electric fence crossings Organized Group Camp in brown. The Missouri 17 Picnic Shelter Bison/elk Wild Area System is made Recreation Feature 18 Rapidly changing weather up of large tracts of land conditions set aside as wilderness, Skills Course 19 Motorized boat traffic which make the perfect Stables 20 Unexpected waves setting for hiking and Store 21 Changing water levels backpacking. A wild area must be 1,000 or more acres in size, show little Swimming impact from humans, and possess outstanding opportunities for solitude. 22 Surface or submerged Telephone They are strictly protected for their wilderness benefits as well as for their objects Water Fountain use for environmental education and scientific study. Water Access