Taum Sauk Mountain

Mountain peak · Arcadia

Taum Sauk Mountain

Mountain peak · Arcadia

Arcadia Township, MO 63650

Highlights

This 1,772-ft-high peak in the Saint Francois Mountains features camping, trails & a lookout tower.

Arcadia Township, MO 63650 Get directions

@atlasobscura

The Highest Places in America

"This flat-ridged mountain is supposedly named after Piankeshaw chief Sauk-Ton-Qua and his tragic tale. Sauk-Ton-Qua’s daughter, Mina Sauk, fell in love with a warrior from a hostile tribe. When the chief killed his daughter’s lover by throwing him off of a nearby cliff, Mina followed him over the edge. This incurred the wrath of the mythical Storm King, summoning a hurricane to wipe out Sauk-Ton-Qua’s entire tribe. A lightning bolt struck the ground and caused a waterfall to appear, wiping away the blood of the lovers. The Ozarks region is full of vertical reliefs and jagged mountains, a good portion of the terrain caused by sedimentary strata erosion. The St. Francois ridge, which Taum Sauk Mountain is a part of, is much, much older than the surrounding Ozark Mountains. While much of the United States started out underneath the waters of ancient seas, Taum Sauk may be one of the very few peaks which would have jutted from the Paleozoic waters as an island. The mountain’s peak, which is also the highest point in Missouri is marked by a granite plaque from the Missouri Association of Registered Land Surveyors." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/the-highest-places-in-america

View Postcard for Taum Sauk Mountain

Kovas Palubinskas

Google

A little simple in that it’s an easy drive up to and stroll to reach the high point. A few minutes on a paved path and you’re there. No views or anything remarkable about the location, but there is a marker and register, all well kept and inviting.

Elisabeth Goddard

Google

Nice parking lot and paved walking path to the high point. No view at the summit, only trees. There are signs directing you along the path to a waterfall, then about .4 mile down the path there is a little turn off to the left. The high point is down that little path.

Amber Brown

Google

Amazing views the water fall was beautiful. Trails are alittle rough but manageable. Scenery is incredible even in the winter

D S

Google

First, if you’re bringing your dog I highly recommend off leash trained dogs. The trail will have you watching every step, but it’s relatively easy if you’re physically fit. This trail is moderately packed with families. Bring plenty of water and a snack.

Mehdi Nategh

Google

Incredible woods and rocky hills surrounding a waterfall, with the rocks on the trail having a scenery layer of light green spectrum. We got the waterfall in 40 min from the high elevation mark but we hiked back to the parking lot in a heavy rain of late Dec. That was a short romantic hiking experience.

Sam Ogles

Google

Easy to get to and clearly a well maintained highpoint. There were even great campsites that looked that looked first come, first serve. The highpoint is only a couple hundred yards away from the parking lot and then there is an additional trial if you're looking for actual hiking.

Patrick Gebhard

Google

Nice hiking trail from the top to Mina Falls. Highest point in MO was a little underwhelming. Nice views and info at the lookout area.

Leah State

Google

Very pretty views from the mountain top! Not paved, rocky, muddy/slippery/several puddles after a rain. Lots of little detours to pretty views and several miles of trails! Cool plaque that says “Highest Point in Missouri” down the little paved path to the left when you first start down the trail