Mina Sauk Falls Trail Hiking Guide
The Mina Sauk Falls Trail links two Missouri records in one short loop. A paved path from the lot reaches the state's highest point on Taum Sauk Mountain, and from there a rocky red-blazed trail drops through glades to the top of Mina Sauk Falls, the tallest waterfall in the state, before climbing back. It is short on paper and rough underfoot.
Distance and Difficulty
Missouri State Parks lists the trail as a 2.9-mile loop rated rugged and estimates close to three hours, and its trail sheet calls it strenuous and challenging. Hiking Project's measurement is 2.8 miles and roughly 451 feet of gain and rates it intermediate to difficult. The park's elevation profile drops from about 1,700 feet near the top to around 1,400 feet at the falls, so the steepest work comes on the climb back. Carry plenty of water and expect loose rock most of the way.
The High Point and the Falls
The summit of Taum Sauk Mountain stands 1,772 feet above sea level, and a short wheelchair-accessible walk reaches it. Beyond that point the trail is not accessible. Mina Sauk Falls drops 132 feet over a series of volcanic ledges into Taum Sauk Creek. It is a wet-weather waterfall that the park says flows best after rain, so a dry spell can leave little more than a trickle. The trail passes along the top of the falls.
Glades, Views and Geology
The loop crosses rocky openings called glades, with views over the St. Francois Mountains and toward what the park calls the state's deepest valley, with up to 700 feet of relief. The rock here is volcanic rhyolite and granite almost 1.5 billion years old. The park uses prescribed burns to keep the glades open, and prairie plants and the eastern collared lizard live on them.
Extending on the Ozark Trail
The Taum Sauk Section of the Ozark Trail shares about a mile of tread with this loop. At the top of the falls the Ozark Trail continues down the valley, and Devil's Tollgate, an 8-foot-wide gap through 30-foot rhyolite walls, lies about a mile below the falls. Hunting is prohibited in state parks, but the park has advised hikers to wear orange during hunting seasons because parts of the Ozark Trail cross land where hunting may be allowed.
Hours, Dogs and Facilities
The park is open from sunrise to sunset all year, and the trailhead lot is reached on Highway CC. Dogs may come along if leashed, with the state's 10-foot maximum. Drinking water and a vault toilet are available near the campground and picnic area, which also has a small overlook to the north.
Hiking tips for Mina Sauk Falls Trail
- Plan the hike for a day or two after rain, when the falls actually flow.
- Wear boots with good tread for the loose volcanic rock below the summit.
- Save energy for the climb back from the falls, the hardest part of the loop.
- Wear orange in fall if you continue onto the Ozark Trail toward Devil's Tollgate.
- Start early enough to be out by sunset, when the park closes.
Nearby trails to explore
- Shut-Ins Trail (Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park)
- Whispering Pine Trail (Hawn State Park)
- Trail Through Time (Pickle Springs Natural Area)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Mina Sauk Falls is worth timing for a wet week, and that is easier with a flexible group. Use TrailMates to find St. Louis hikers watching the forecast, pick the day in the event's group chat after a good soaking rain, and gather at the Taum Sauk Mountain lot. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.