Introducing The Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Missouri

Amazing barbecue, a rich musical history, and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country: Missouri is rightly celebrated (and sought out) by vacationers for a whole lot of good reasons.

One reason people often overlook, though, is its plethora of stunning cascades. From smaller, man-made waterfalls to tall, gorgeous, plummeting flows, Missouri is awash in mighty waters. Here are ten of the most beautiful — and the details you need to see them for yourself.

Here are top 10 the most beautiful Waterfalls in Missouri

Waterfall Park

It’s not every state that sets aside space in urban areas for beautiful, nature-inspired vistas — but Missouri does. Located within the community of Independence just east of Kansas City, Waterfall Park is man-made, but that in no way lowers its value as a place of solace and beauty for local city-dwellers and travelers alike. The waterfall stands more than ten feet tall and cascades down over a stack of rocks built for this specific purpose, and is accessed by an easy, flat walking trail that also includes a bridge close to the falls themselves. The park also offers plenty of well-maintained green space as well as picnic areas and a playground.

Citygarden Falls

Ricocheting across I-70 to the other end of the state, Citygarden Sculpture Park is a well-known feature of St. Louis and also includes some well-placed man-made falls. Tumbling over a constructed rock fall into a fountain dotted with beautiful stones, this waterfall is definitely a much different experience than you might expect from a rugged, outdoor adventure — but if you find yourself in St. Louis and in need of something beautiful to look at, it’s certainly recommendable. Plus, it’s only feet from the large children’s pool, so the kids will certainly have something to keep them occupied while you gawk.

Forest Park Falls

Another man-made St. Louis option for waterfall chasers, Forest Park Falls is located within the expansive greenspace of Forest Park, which features multiple sports courts and fields, fountains, a golf course, a restaurant, a zoo and an art museum, just for starters. (It’s basically the St. Louis equivalent of New York’s Central Park or San Diego’s Balboa Park.) Built in 1937, the waterfall here is sometimes known by locals as Flegel Falls, and although it stands only a few feet high, its powerful flow and well-manicured backdrop make it a worthy stop for anyone traveling through or living in St. Louis.

Meramec Falls

Coming in at nearly 7,000 acres and straddling both sides of the beautiful Meramec River, Meramec State Park is a popular getaway locale for Missourians all over the state, though it’s especially convenient for those in St. Louis. More than a dozen miles of hiking trails lead visitors through the lush, green landscape, which includes caves, unique rock formations, and some small but beautiful rapids-style waterfalls, which an elevated bridge leads visitors over. While you’re checking out the falls, consider staying a while longer to take advantage of the fishing, rafting, and boating opportunities that are part of what makes this park so popular.

Hickory Canyons Waterfall

The Hickory Canyons Natural Area is something of a hidden gem; although it’s only an hour or so south of St. Louis, it’s often overlooked for the other (equally worth visiting) state parks in this area, especially since it’s a rather small preserve. That said, those who make the trip will be rewarded for their thoroughness: the trail is short and fairly even, and the waterfall at the end is powerful and impressive, especially if you’re lucky enough to visit right after a rain. Because of the tiered nature of the rocky cliffs that lie beneath it, the waterfall gently flows down the stones rather than plummeting directly. There’s room at the bottom to spread out for a picnic and enjoy the view.

Mina Sauk Falls

Perhaps one of the most famous waterfalls in the state of Missouri, and certainly one of the most scenic, Mina Sauk Falls is tucked within the expansive (and gorgeous) landscape, a worthwhile and oft-sought-out destination even for non-waterfall-chasers. Its namesake mountain is the highest point in the state, and its vast network of hiking trails connects directly to the Ozark Trail — along which Mina Sauk Falls are found. Truly a landscape of superlatives, Mina Sauk Falls also enjoys the status of being the tallest waterfall in Missouri, cascading some 132 feet into the Taum Sauk Creek below. While you can make your trek to the falls a much longer, more arduous venture, there’s a short that’ll get the job done in about three round-trip miles — but do be forewarned that some of it is steep and slippery.

Rocky Falls

Located not far east of the Rocky Creek Conservation Area, Rocky Falls is at once a simply breathtaking natural sight and an education in geological history. The reddish-brown rocks that compose the face behind the falls are made of rhyolite porphyry, which dates to about 1.5 billion years ago. The forces of erosion allow visitors to see hardened old lava when they gaze at the waterfalls’ surroundings. The falls themselves tumble over a variety of tiers along Rocky Creek, making for a beautiful place to sit back and get some perspective on how small and insignificant all of our problems really are.

Cotton Rocks Fall

Located just outside of the storied vacation town of Branson — home to Silver Dollar City, among other attractions — Cotton Rocks Fall is the perfect add-on if you’re looking to balance your big-city adventure with some rugged, outdoor fun. The fall is also known as the Roark Creek Waterfall and can be accessed which runs less than two miles round trip and sees only about 100 feet in elevation change, meaning it’s steep in places but fairly doable. The trail is also opened to well-behaved dogs on leashes, so you can bring Fido.

Dogwood Canyon Falls

Encompassing some 10,000 acres of pristine wilderness, Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is truly a wonderland for outdoor lovers of any stripe — and that includes waterfall chasers! Dogwood Canyon Falls tumbles scenically over a series of tiered rock faces and makes for an absolutely unforgettable Instagram snap (or just a plain old, analog memory), and is only one of the many one-of-a-kind natural attractions you’ll encounter if you make your way through this vast nature preserve. Do be aware that is privately owned and thus, you’ll be charged a modest fee to enter. There are also additional activities and events held in the park that come at additional charges — but it’s all well worth the money.

Grand Falls

Nestled at the place where Shoal Falls widens out to create the Joplin Water Supply Lake, Grand Falls is the largest continuously flowing natural waterfall in the state of Missouri: although it stands only about 12 feet tall, it’s more than 160 feet across, making for a truly impressive vista. Nearby creek pools create opportunities for swimming, fishing, and wading, and it’s all within just minutes of the heart of the city of Joplin, which offers plenty of other beautiful green spaces and nature exhibits, such as Mc Clelland Park, McIndoe Park, and the Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center.

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