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Missouri's Secret Wonders: Exploring the Undiscovered Charms

This curated collection peels back the layers of Missouri's most popular destinations to reveal its lesser-known treasures. From tranquil hideaways nestled in the Ozarks to historic small-town marvels, these POIs embody the state’s unique cultural tapestry and natural beauty. Dive in and discover the unexpected sights and experiences that make these hidden gems shine.

Elephant Rocks State Park
Elephant Rocks State Park

Iron County, Missouri

Majestic granite boulders resembling elephants.

Big Spring
Big Spring

Carter County, Missouri

One of the world's largest springs with crystalline waters.

Grand Gulf State Park
Grand Gulf State Park

Oregon County, Missouri

Known as Missouri's 'Little Grand Canyon'.

Maramec Spring Park
Maramec Spring Park

Phelps County, Missouri

A serene park with the fifth-largest spring in the state.

Pickle Springs Natural Area
Pickle Springs Natural Area

Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri

Features rare geological structures and diverse ecosystems.

Rock Bridge Memorial State Park
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park

Boone County, Missouri

Home to a natural rock bridge and numerous sinkholes.

Onondaga Cave
Onondaga Cave

Crawford County, Missouri

Stunning underground cave brimming with stalactites and stalagmites.

Jewell Cemetery State Historic Site
Jewell Cemetery State Historic Site

Boone County, Missouri

A peaceful resting place of notable Missourians in Columbia.

Cliff Cave County Park
Cliff Cave County Park

St. Louis County, Missouri

An expansive park with caves and river views.

Bennett Spring State Park
Bennett Spring State Park

Dallas County, Missouri

Popular for trout fishing amidst scenic nature.

Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Ha Ha Tonka State Park

Camden County, Missouri

Ruins of a stone castle overlook the Lake of the Ozarks.

Montauk State Park
Montauk State Park

Dent County, Missouri

Tranquil park known for its excellent fly fishing spots.

Alley Mill
Alley Mill

Shannon County, Missouri

Historic red mill that sits along the crystal-clear Alley Spring.

Katy Trail State Park
Katy Trail State Park

Multiple counties, Missouri

Long distance trail following the Missouri River.

Knob Noster State Park
Knob Noster State Park

Johnson County, Missouri

A quiet retreat among the wooded hills.

Mingo Wildlife Refuge
Mingo Wildlife Refuge

Stoddard & Wayne Counties, Missouri

A sanctuary for migratory birds and native wildlife.

Castlewood State Park
Castlewood State Park

St. Louis County, Missouri

Lush trails and striking river views at a park with a storied past.

Sappington Cemetery State Historic Site
Sappington Cemetery State Historic Site

Saline County, Missouri

Historic site home to an 1800s graveyard of a prominent Missouri family.

Current River State Park
Current River State Park

Shannon County, Missouri

Clear streams perfect for kayaking and rich in history.

Missouri Mines State Historic Site
Missouri Mines State Historic Site

St. Francois County, Missouri

Preserved lead mine complex with a museum about the region's mining history.

Battle of Athens State Historic Site
Battle of Athens State Historic Site

Clark County, Missouri

The northernmost Civil War battle site west of the Mississippi.

Bollinger Mill State Historic Site
Bollinger Mill State Historic Site

Cape Girardeau County, Missouri

Features a working water-powered grist mill and a covered bridge.

Mastodon State Historic Site
Mastodon State Historic Site

Jefferson County, Missouri

Site of a significant Ice Age fossil find with a museum and hiking trails.

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

Stone County, Missouri

A 10,000-acre paradise for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and fishers.

Meramec Caverns
Meramec Caverns

Franklin County, Missouri

Extensive limestone caves known as America's 'Hidden Buried Treasure'.

Jacob's Cave
Jacob's Cave

Moniteau County, Missouri

Missouri's largest and most scenic commercial cave, featuring reflective pools.

Dillard Mill State Historic Site
Dillard Mill State Historic Site

Crawford County, Missouri

One of the state's best-preserved grist mills, set in a picturesque valley.

LaBarque Creek Conservation Area
LaBarque Creek Conservation Area

Jefferson County, Missouri

Nearly 1,200 acres of pristine Ozark landscape for hiking and birding.

Graham Cave State Park
Graham Cave State Park

Montgomery County, Missouri

Historical cave site with ancient human artifacts amidst nature trails.

Big Oak Tree State Park
Big Oak Tree State Park

Mississippi County, Missouri

Home to towering old trees representing a remnant of Missouri's deep history.

Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park

Iron County, Missouri

Missouri’s highest point offering panoramic views and waterfalls.

Watkins Woolen Mill State Park
Watkins Woolen Mill State Park

Clay County, Missouri

19th-century woolen mill and farmstead preserved as a museum and park.

Elephant Rocks State Park Majestic granite boulders resembling elephants.

Elephant Rocks State Park
Elephant Rocks State Park Majestic granite boulders resembling elephants.
Big Spring One of the world's largest springs with crystalline waters.

Big Spring
Big Spring One of the world's largest springs with crystalline waters.
Grand Gulf State Park Known as Missouri's 'Little Grand Canyon'.

Grand Gulf State Park
Grand Gulf State Park Known as Missouri's 'Little Grand Canyon'.
Maramec Spring Park A serene park with the fifth-largest spring in the state.

Maramec Spring Park
Maramec Spring Park A serene park with the fifth-largest spring in the state.
Pickle Springs Natural Area Features rare geological structures and diverse ecosystems.

Pickle Springs Natural Area
Pickle Springs Natural Area Features rare geological structures and diverse ecosystems.
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park Home to a natural rock bridge and numerous sinkholes.

Rock Bridge Memorial State Park
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park Home to a natural rock bridge and numerous sinkholes.
Onondaga Cave Stunning underground cave brimming with stalactites and stalagmites.

Onondaga Cave
Onondaga Cave Stunning underground cave brimming with stalactites and stalagmites.
Jewell Cemetery State Historic Site A peaceful resting place of notable Missourians in Columbia.

Jewell Cemetery State Historic Site
Jewell Cemetery State Historic Site A peaceful resting place of notable Missourians in Columbia.
Cliff Cave County Park An expansive park with caves and river views.

Cliff Cave County Park
Cliff Cave County Park An expansive park with caves and river views.
Bennett Spring State Park Popular for trout fishing amidst scenic nature.

Bennett Spring State Park
Bennett Spring State Park Popular for trout fishing amidst scenic nature.
Ha Ha Tonka State Park Ruins of a stone castle overlook the Lake of the Ozarks.

Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Ha Ha Tonka State Park Ruins of a stone castle overlook the Lake of the Ozarks.
Montauk State Park Tranquil park known for its excellent fly fishing spots.

Montauk State Park
Montauk State Park Tranquil park known for its excellent fly fishing spots.
Alley Mill Historic red mill that sits along the crystal-clear Alley Spring.

Alley Mill
Alley Mill Historic red mill that sits along the crystal-clear Alley Spring.
Katy Trail State Park Long distance trail following the Missouri River.

Katy Trail State Park
Katy Trail State Park Long distance trail following the Missouri River.
Knob Noster State Park A quiet retreat among the wooded hills.

Knob Noster State Park
Knob Noster State Park A quiet retreat among the wooded hills.
Mingo Wildlife Refuge A sanctuary for migratory birds and native wildlife.

Mingo Wildlife Refuge
Mingo Wildlife Refuge A sanctuary for migratory birds and native wildlife.
Castlewood State Park Lush trails and striking river views at a park with a storied past.

Castlewood State Park
Castlewood State Park Lush trails and striking river views at a park with a storied past.
Sappington Cemetery State Historic Site Historic site home to an 1800s graveyard of a prominent Missouri family.

Sappington Cemetery State Historic Site
Sappington Cemetery State Historic Site Historic site home to an 1800s graveyard of a prominent Missouri family.
Current River State Park Clear streams perfect for kayaking and rich in history.

Current River State Park
Current River State Park Clear streams perfect for kayaking and rich in history.
Missouri Mines State Historic Site Preserved lead mine complex with a museum about the region's mining history.

Missouri Mines State Historic Site
Missouri Mines State Historic Site Preserved lead mine complex with a museum about the region's mining history.
Battle of Athens State Historic Site The northernmost Civil War battle site west of the Mississippi.

Battle of Athens State Historic Site
Battle of Athens State Historic Site The northernmost Civil War battle site west of the Mississippi.
Bollinger Mill State Historic Site Features a working water-powered grist mill and a covered bridge.

Bollinger Mill State Historic Site
Bollinger Mill State Historic Site Features a working water-powered grist mill and a covered bridge.
Mastodon State Historic Site Site of a significant Ice Age fossil find with a museum and hiking trails.

Mastodon State Historic Site
Mastodon State Historic Site Site of a significant Ice Age fossil find with a museum and hiking trails.
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park A 10,000-acre paradise for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and fishers.

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park A 10,000-acre paradise for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and fishers.
Meramec Caverns Extensive limestone caves known as America's 'Hidden Buried Treasure'.

Meramec Caverns
Meramec Caverns Extensive limestone caves known as America's 'Hidden Buried Treasure'.
Jacob's Cave Missouri's largest and most scenic commercial cave, featuring reflective pools.

Jacob's Cave
Jacob's Cave Missouri's largest and most scenic commercial cave, featuring reflective pools.
Dillard Mill State Historic Site One of the state's best-preserved grist mills, set in a picturesque valley.

Dillard Mill State Historic Site
Dillard Mill State Historic Site One of the state's best-preserved grist mills, set in a picturesque valley.
LaBarque Creek Conservation Area Nearly 1,200 acres of pristine Ozark landscape for hiking and birding.

LaBarque Creek Conservation Area
LaBarque Creek Conservation Area Nearly 1,200 acres of pristine Ozark landscape for hiking and birding.
Graham Cave State Park Historical cave site with ancient human artifacts amidst nature trails.

Graham Cave State Park
Graham Cave State Park Historical cave site with ancient human artifacts amidst nature trails.
Big Oak Tree State Park Home to towering old trees representing a remnant of Missouri's deep history.

Big Oak Tree State Park
Big Oak Tree State Park Home to towering old trees representing a remnant of Missouri's deep history.
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park Missouri’s highest point offering panoramic views and waterfalls.

Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park Missouri’s highest point offering panoramic views and waterfalls.
Watkins Woolen Mill State Park 19th-century woolen mill and farmstead preserved as a museum and park.

Watkins Woolen Mill State Park
Watkins Woolen Mill State Park 19th-century woolen mill and farmstead preserved as a museum and park.