Graham Cave State Park, Archaeological state park in Montgomery County, Missouri.
Graham Cave State Park is an archaeological state park in Montgomery County featuring a natural cave opening set within a limestone hillside near Interstate 70. The grounds include hiking trails, camping areas, and access to the Loutre River throughout the property.
Archaeological evidence found in the cave dates back 8,000 to 10,000 years, documenting early human presence in the region. Systematic excavations from 1949 to 1961 established its significance, resulting in designation as a National Historical Landmark.
The cave served as a gathering place for Native American peoples across many centuries, leaving behind tools and signs of ceremonial practices. This layered history shows how different groups used the same shelter over time.
The cave entrance is accessible and clearly marked with walking paths leading through the grounds. Campgrounds with showers operate seasonally, and the site works well for visitors who want to combine hiking with exploring the archaeological area.
The Graham Cave Glades Natural Area within the park protects rare plant communities adapted to sandstone and dolomite formations found nowhere else nearby. This small but distinctive ecosystem reveals how the local geology shapes which plants can survive in the region.
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