Find the top spots in Missouri for an outdoor adventure.
Missouri is known for its natural scenery with winding rivers forging paths through rolling hills, lakes sparkling rays of sunlight in every direction, trees that welcome the seasons with changing colors, and flowers that sway in the wind. Missouri is an outdoor oasis for all those who traverse its trails. Missouri Life readers voted for their favorite trail, lake, campground, and river to float. Discovery awaits!
Best Trail
Katy Trail State Park
THE KATY TRAIL STATE PARK, America’s longest rail trail, spans 240 miles between Clinton and Machens and contains 26 trailheads. The first section of the park to open in April 1990 was built on the corridor of the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (MKT or Katy) between Rocheport and McBaine. The trail, which often follows the northern bank of the Missouri River, hosts cyclists, pedestrians, runners, equestrians (on some portions), and those searching for a nature retreat.
“So truly, freedom from hills and cars makes the Katy Trail a cyclist’s dream,” says Cassie Brandt, Katy Trail coordinator. “And at 240-miles long, the Katy allows riders to avoid hills and cars for longer than any other trail in the US.” In 2024, 430,000 people visited Katy Trail State Park.
“The views and the hospitality are consistently the topics we hear visitors rave about,” Cassie says. “Limestone bluffs, stunning Missouri River views, rolling fields, wooded tunnels, native prairies, and expansive open skies showcase Missouri’s natural beauty.” The trail is home to honor-style systems for trailside snack stands, shuttle buses to aid visitors, trail depots, and art installations. Historic Katy Trail depots can be found in St. Charles, Marthasville, Boonville, and Sedalia.
Runner Up: Ozark Trail
The Ozark Trail features more than 430 miles of trails through the Ozarks. This trail is home to diverse scenic landscapes, including the highest point in Missouri—Mina Sauk Falls.
Best Private Campground
Bass River Resort
STARGAZE, WADE IN THE WATERS, or munch on a s’more at Bass River Resort in Steelville. This campground features cabins and primitive and RV campsites, year-round floats on Courtois Creek, Huzzah Creek, and the upper portion of the Meramec River, and hiking through Mark Twain National Forest.
“We have one of the most beautiful campgrounds there is,” says Trent Bass, manager of the campground. “People come out here to explore the outdoors. We’re only about an hour and a half from St Louis, two and a half from Springfield, and four hours from Kansas City.”
The campground, which opened in 1967, offers offers shuttle services for kayak, canoe, or rafting trips. The campground also offers restrooms, showers, running water, electric campsites, playgrounds, a basketball court, volleyball courts, horse stables, and event spaces.
If visitors’ stomachs are grumbling, they can take a trip to the campground’s Country Store, which offers pizza, deli sandwiches, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, chips, and candy.
“We have a saying, ‘FDIC, or fun down in the country,’ ” Trent explains. “So we always try to look for people to have fun. Come down here to enjoy the rivers. Obviously come down to float, camp, and have a good time with family and friends.”
Runner Up: Spring Lake Ranch
Spring Lake Ranch in Potosi features a 60-acre lake, hot tub, pool, cabin and treehouse lodging, primitive campsites, 20 miles of hiking and horseback trails, and barbecue areas.
Best Public Campground
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
VISITORS OF TAUM SAUK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK will find the highest point in Missouri, Mina Sauk Falls, and scenic overlooks. The area is known for its stunning views and hiking.
“The park includes untamed, unspoiled land that provides solitude and a wilderness quality hard to find in today’s crowded world,” says Nick Cody, superintendent of the park.
This 8,395-acre park has a 12-site basic campground that includes drinking water and restrooms. Tent campsites are available on a walk-up basis only and cannot be reserved. Before occupying a site, follow the directions on posted cards or signs. Camping is limited to any 15 days within a 30-day consecutive period at any one state park or historic site.
“The campground features private sites and a view of the stars seen very rarely in Missouri,” Nick says.
Taum Sauk Mountain rises 1,772 feet above sea level, offers the moderately rugged 2.9-mile-long Mina Sauk Falls Trail to the state’s tallest waterfall, and is home to Devil’s Tollgate, which is an eight-foot-wide passage that takes visitors through 50 feet of volcanic rhyolite. Take a journey through 7,500 acres of oasis!
Runner Up: St. Francois State Park
St. Francois State Park near Bonne Terre has three hiking trails, which range from about two to 10 miles in length. The trails wind through wooded hills and the glades of the Coonville Creek Wild Area. The park also has access points to Big River in its picnic areas. Those looking to camp can choose from more than 100 campsites with modern showers and restrooms.
Best Floating River
Current River
STRETCHING 184 MILES, the Current River begins in Montauk State Park in Dent County and empties into the Black River in Arkansas. This spring-fed river is part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and is known for its clear water, gravel bars, bluffs, caves, and deep pools.
People can float on the river via inner tubes, canoes, kayaks, or other non-motorized vessels. As people float, they might catch a glimpse of bears, wild horses, or deer.
“It’s a pretty much leisurely type float,” says Terry Thompson, regional resource management unit supervisor for the Missouri Department of Conservation. “It does have some areas that you’re going to have to be on top of what you’re doing in order to stay upright.”
The upper part of the river, near Echo Bluffs, is the most popular section, Terry says. He says it’s because it has more flora and fauna than other areas and features beautiful scenery.
Runner Up: Niangua River
Flowing 125 miles, the Niangua River is known for its clear water and Ozark scenery. This spring-fed river begins near Marshfield and empties into the Lake of the Ozarks.
Best Lake
Table Rock Lake
NESTLED IN SOUTHWEST MISSOURI near Branson and northwestern Arkansas is the glittering and expansive Table Rock Lake. With over 40,000 surface acres and 800 miles of shoreline, this lake was previously part of the White River before the US Army Corps of Engineers created the lake via Table Rock Dam.
The lake has four sections: Central, East, West, and Indian Point. “It was part of the White River, so we have a lot of fingers,” says Ladona Weathers, communications director of Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce.
Due to its extensive shorelines and coves, the lake has private and public beaches.
The lake offers many activities, including water sports, boating, and fishing. Table Rock Lake is considered one of the top bass fishing lakes in the United States, Ladona says. Fishermen can also find crappie, large bluegill, and catfish at the lake.
Along the shoreline, people can find lakefront cabins, marinas, campgrounds, and dining options.
“We’re very fortunate for the fact that it is so large, you really can find your own corner of the lake and feel like you’re all by yourself,” Ladona says.
Runner Up: Lake Wappapello
In Wayne and Butler Counties, about a half hour north of Poplar Bluff, is Lake Wappapello. This 8,400 acre reservoir is known for its largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill fishing.
This article was originally published in the January 2026 issue of Missouri Life.
