Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
A rugged mountain park containing Missouri’s high point, rocky glades, long-distance trail connections, and the route to Mina Sauk Falls.
Artwork inspired by Jessie Benton Evans
Taum Sauk Mountain reaches 1,772 feet, Missouri’s highest natural elevation. The summit itself is reached by a short accessible path and is more wooded marker than dramatic overlook; the broader park experience comes from glades, ridges, and rugged trails.
The Mina Sauk Falls loop drops into much rougher terrain and should not be confused with the easy high-point visit. It connects with the Ozark Trail and passes seasonal cascades whose flow depends on recent rain, so footwear, daylight, and water matter.
- Elevation
- 1,772 feet
- Summit route
- Short and accessible
- Waterfall loop
- About 3 miles, rugged
Quick guide
- Easy goal
- High-point marker
- Harder goal
- Mina Sauk loop
A slower circuit of Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
- Summit
- Use the short paved route for the state high point; expect woods, not a cliff view.
- Falls
- Set beside it attempt Mina Sauk only with sturdy footwear and enough daylight for slow rock.
- Water
- Read the waterfall may be nearly dry after a rainless period.
- Trail
- Long-distance Ozark Trail segments continue beyond the day loop.
Good to know
Taum Sauk is Missouri’s highest point, but not its most topographically prominent; the ancient St. Francois Mountains tell a geological story more interesting than the number alone.
Notice these
- State high point
- Rocky glades
- Mina Sauk route
- Ozark Trail junction