Taum Sauk Mountain

Mountain peak · Arcadia ·

Taum Sauk Mountain

Mountain peak · Arcadia ·

Highest point in Missouri with waterfall and hiking trails

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Arcadia Township, MO 63650 Get directions

@atlasobscura

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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

Flickr User: Keith Yahl (Creative Commons)

Taum Sauk Mountain

Wild M.

Google

Great place there’s a lookout point and a Lookout tower but beware when you get to the top the door is closed and you’re locked out. You can only go up the stairs at the point. They have a nice walk and you can see quite a bit and there’s a board there that tells you what you’re looking at so you know what the other names of the mountains and different places are that you’re looking out over they have Camping there It’s all tent Camping and it’s primitive. Nice graded roads coming in just a little dusty.

Carissa K.

Google

Fairly accessible high point for less experienced hikers. There's more hiking available throughout the trails for more adventurous hikers. Since the high point is close to the parking lot, most of the hike into the trails is downhill. Less experienced hikers will need to reserve some energy to go back uphill to get back to their vehicles

Kovas P.

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 G.

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 B.

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 N.

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 O.

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.

@atlasobscura

4,908 Postcards · 2,019 Cities

The Highest Places in America

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

Flickr User: Keith Yahl (Creative Commons)

Taum Sauk Mountain

Wild M.

Google

Carissa K.

Google

Kovas P.

Google

Elisabeth G.

Google

Amber B.

Google

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

D S

Google

Mehdi N.

Google

Sam O.

Google

Taum Sauk Mountain

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