 Photo Courtesy Patty Erdman
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 Photo Courtesy Patty Erdman
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Nearby Parks:
Camdenton Towersite State Wildlife Management Area
Mansfield Forest State Wildlife Management Area
Lead Mine State Forest
Coffin State Forest
Lake of the Ozarks State Park
Fiery Fork State Forest
Bennett Spring State Park
Bear Creek State Forest
Moles Cave State Wildlife Area
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| Nature of the Area: |
| From dark caves to back-country hiking trails to castle ruins perched on a cliff, Ha Ha Tonka State Park is the ideal place for the adventurous. Ha Ha Tonka is a geological wonderland: sinkholes, caves, a huge natural bridge, soaring bluffs, and Missouri's twelfth largest spring.
Fifteen miles of trail traverse the park, leading visitors to spectacular scenery, natural wonders and the famous castle ruins. Accessible, paved walkways and rugged, rocky trails provide every hiking experience, from a casual boardwalk stroll to an overnight backpack trip.
Looming over all is the ruin of the turn-of-the-century stone castle built by a wealthy businessman. The empty shell of this great mansion overlooks Ha Ha Tonka Spring and Lake of the Ozarks from atop a 250-foot bluff.
The Ha Ha Tonka Savanna preserves an excellent example of pre-settlement landscape. Scattered oaks, prairie grasses and wildflowers, open rocky glades and valley woodlands form a savanna mosaic. A seven-mile backpack trail winds through much of this area so visitors can easily explore the savanna.
Rugged terrain, beautiful bluffs, dark caves and a castle on a cliff -- bring your camera because Ha Ha Tonka State Park has it all. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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A wonderful place to get away.
(name not given)
10-Apr-2008
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Very Nice... Well Kept...
I was most pleased by the cleanliness of the park, this is an all around amazing place to visit- the view from the Castle ruins is spectacular. Some of the trails are definitely for the physically fit- or for the avid hiker ...
(name not given)
11-Jun-2008
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Have never been
I have never been there, but have lived only 20 miles South of the Park for six years now. After looking at the website, I really want our family to go visit!
(name not given)
24-Jun-2008
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| Trails: |
| Fifteen miles of trail traverse the park, leading visitors to spectacular scenery, natural wonders and the famous castle ruins. Trails vary from accessible, paved walkways to rugged, rocky trails providing a diverse experience for hikers.
Castle Trail - ? mile (one way)
Overlooks near the castle provide views of Ha Ha Tonka Spring and the Lake of the Ozarks. Mild terrain.
Quarry Trail - 2 miles
Starts by the castle and leads to open views of the lake and two old quarries. Moderate terrain.
Dell Rim Trail - ? mile (one way)
This wooden boardwalk begins near the water tower and descends a series of steps to an overlook above the Whispering Dell Sinkhole. The step portion of this trail is strenuous. The steps continue to the spring below.
Colosseum Trail - ? mile
Starts at the natural bridge parking lot. The trail winds under the natural bridge and through a large sinkhole (the Colosseum). Moderate terrain.
Spring Trail - 1 ? miles
Starts at the spring/lake parking lot. One-way distance to the spring is one-half mile, mostly paved. Wooden stairs lead above the spring bluff to the old post office. The step portion of this trail is strenuous.
Island Trail - ? mile
Making a loop around the island and past the balanced rock, this trail starts at the millrace (on the Spring Trail). Rugged terrain.
Boulder Ridge Trail - 1 ? miles
Begins at the Spring Trail trail head. The trail passes through an area of large lichen-covered boulders along a ridge. Moderate terrain.
Park at the lot east of Hwy. D, between the park's castle and spring entrances for the following trails.
Oak Savanna Interpretive Trail - 450 feet
This is an accessible trail with four interpretive stops.
Acorn Trail - ? mile
Prescribed burning helps maintain this open woodland. A brochure and eight interpretive stops tell more about this savanna landscape. Moderate terrain.
Devil?s Kitchen Trail - 1 mile
Visit unique geologic features, including Devil?s Promenade. Rugged terrain.
Turkey Pen Hollow Trail - 7 miles
Backpack camping is allowed on this trail that winds throughout the Ha Ha Tonka Savanna Natural Area. Rugged terrain. |
| Picnicking: |
| There are 20 picnic areas scattered throughout the park available for day use. The park also features two picnic shelters equipped with electricity, picnic tables and an outdoor grill. The shelters are perfect for family gatherings or special outings and can be reserved for $40 per day, or if not reserved, the shelters are available on a first-come, first-serve basis at no charge. |
| Boating: |
| Boaters can access the park via the Big Niangua arm of the Lake of the Ozarks at the 14-? mile marker. There are docks on both the castle ruins and spring side of the cove. The boat length limit for docking at the park is 24 feet. There are no fees. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Fishing:
Fishing is permitted under statewide regulations at the Lake of the Ozarks access points of the park. Fishing is not permitted in Ha Ha Tonka Spring. |
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| | Note to Park related businesses:
List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
| Ha Ha Tonka State Park - Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, MoDNR - Department of Natural Resources, Information concerning state parks and state historic sites in ... trails to castle ruins perched on a cliff, Ha Ha Tonka State Park is the ideal place for the ... | | Ha Ha Tonka State Park - General Information - Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, Mo - Department of Natural Resources, Information concerning state parks and state historic sites in ... of the area around what today is Ha Ha Tonka State Park. The Boones were there, both Daniel and ... | | Lake of the Ozarks - Castleview Bed & Breakfast - ... is nestled on the Niangua Arm of the lake near Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Camdenton. The B & B offers an array of amenities, guest ... acres of beautiful Ha Ha Tonka State Park, with castle ruins ... | | Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri - Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. Back... Comments... | | Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri - ... It's an almost-annual family reunion type trip.. a lot of fun.. this was in Ha Ha Tonka State Park.. there's a local band (concert band thing..) that has a concert there every year.. so we went to ... | | Hiking - Ha Ha Tonka State Park - Ha Ha Tonka State Park (Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri) As I mentioned the castle is the centerpiece of the park. It is situated prominently atop a 250 ft. cliff above the Lake.The grounds of the ... | | Hiking - Ha Ha Tonka State Park - Ha Ha Tonka State Park (Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri) The nice thing about Ha Ha Tonka is it isn't all about the tourist spot (the castle). Not at all. Our favorite "route" is to begin at the... |
| Nature Programs: |
| The park offers regularly scheduled interpretive programs on Saturdays from June through early August. Special group tours of the castle and interpretive demonstrations of the area?s karst geology can be arranged with the park naturalist in advance anytime of year. |
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USA
(3 votes) |