Taum Sauk Mountain Trail

Taum Sauk Mountain Trail lies within Taum Sauk Mountain State Park in the St. Francois Mountains of southeast Missouri, United States, and ascends to the highest point in the state at 1,772 feet (540 m) above sea level. The primary summit route covers approximately 3 miles round trip from the main trailhead on Taum Sauk Mountain Trail Road, accessed from MO-21 north of Ironton; free parking and a visitor kiosk with trail maps are available at the trailhead. No permit or entrance fee is required for day use. The trail surface transitions from hard-packed dirt to exposed Precambrian rhyolite bedrock — among the oldest exposed rock in the American Midwest — with sections of open rock slabs and root-laced soil. Shade is moderate along the approach, while open summit ridgelines provide sweeping views across the St. Francois Mountains and, on clear days, into Arkansas. Elevation gain from the trailhead to the summit is roughly 300 feet over 1.5 miles of gradual climbing, making the route accessible to hikers of moderate fitness; the rhyolite surface becomes slippery when wet and care is needed during or after rainfall. Key landmarks include the summit benchmark marking Missouri's highest elevation, the remnants of the historic Taum Sauk fire tower, and Mina Sauk Falls — Missouri's tallest waterfall at 132 feet — located approximately 1.5 miles south via the Ozark Trail connector. The Ozark Trail intersects the park's trail network and can extend the total hiking distance to more than 6 miles. The falls are most impressive during spring snowmelt in March and April or after periods of sustained heavy rainfall. No water sources are available along the trail; a minimum of 2 liters per person should be carried. Primitive campsites are available at Taum Sauk Campground within the park by advance reservation through the Missouri State Parks system. The nearest services are in Ironton, approximately 3 miles south on MO-21.