Or at about half a mile, take the white-blazed connector trail to hike a shorter loop (see map). (Photo by Sony Hocklander)ĭepending on your time and goals, you can go one mile or less to reach more of the shut-ins and another swimming hole. Rising from the overlook, a stairway continues the Johnson’s Shut-Ins Trail, leading to a dirt path that’s part of the 2.3-mile loop. If you like to hike and don’t mind elevation and rocky paths, continue on the blue-blazed Shut-Ins Trail by climbing the stairway (which offers more views) to reach a natural dirt trail, altogether a 2.3-mile loop that’s rated moderately challenging on AllTrails and is strenuous in spots. Just downriver from an upper swimming hole is a popular section of the shut-ins where waterfalls, chutes and small pools lead to a lower swimming hole. If you plan to spend time in the water, don’t forget water shoes! Rocks are slippery and uneven as you clamber up and around to find a section of beach or to play in the falls. As viewed from the trail, Johnson’s Shut-Ins are an intricate maze of waterfalls, chutes and pools. The accessible portion of the trail ends at an overlook with great views and interpretive signage. A couple of short stairways lead down to the water at the shut-ins. To reach the shut-ins whether to play or to view, follow the easy, wheelchair-accessible 0.3-mile path heading left of the store. As seen in the upper right corner of this image, the accessible portion of the trail ends at an overlook. The rocky Johnson’s Shut-Ins are a maze of waterfalls, chutes and pools. Nearby are a picnic area and the River Store, which sells day-use supplies, snacks, souvenirs and ice cream. Heading toward the trailhead, you can’t miss an intricate ground-level mural, a beautiful nod to nature. Parking is limited and the lot fills up fast. If you come for the day on a warm-weather weekend, arrive early. While the park attracts thousands each year to play among its rocky water chutes, slides, waterfalls and pools, it has plenty to offer whether you want to get wet or not. Missouri’s most famous natural water park, Johnson’s Shut-Ins is a geologic wonderland nestled in the St. Springfield makes the perfect basecamp for outdoor adventures less than half a day’s drive from home. Better signage would be advisable.Need a change of scenery? Take a weekend road trip. Where did that lead? We have no idea-nor did other visitors there know either. Also at the “almost dead end” of the walkway was small blue arrow pointing to a barely perceptible path over big rocks. Where did it go? We climbed it and followed it for some minutes before turning back not knowing to where it led. Where there appeared to be an almost dead end an extensive and mili-level wooden staircase took off to the right. Our only issue was the signage at that point. That was all good-beautiful and soothing scenery. From there on foot, we followed the excellent wooden boardwalk with its substantial steel railing along a trail to where the river waters are trapped to flow and cascade amongst rocks. At the end of the road is a large parking area. Pretty impressive demonstration of the power of water.
At the entrance to the park are many huge boulders that were transported to their location by water-floods resulting from an upstream dam break. The park offices were closed when we visited in October, but a map on the outside of the building provided information about where to go. It is quite amazing and feels like you are in the mountains here. Water creates chutes and rapids and branches out among the rock field. It was fun to jump around the smoothed down the surface of the dark rock. A shallower area can be found at the front of the rapids and a deeper area can be found farther down for older kids. Judging from some mothers with kids on a pebble beach, it will be fine to take him since he could spend most of his time in the swimming holes that surround the rapids. My main objective today was scouting the area for a future trip with the kid. I wore my flip-flops, but water shoes would also work. So on my day here has the medium rapids and I can expect some tugging from the water.Įxplore this area with some kind of footwear unless you want to scrape or cut your foot on the rocky terrain. Rapids high, red flag, rapids medium, yellow flag, and the green flag is low rapids.
Nearby the store there is a sign of danger. The shut-ins are the most interesting natural water slide in Missouri and the rock here is smooth so mind your step and the rapids move fast.
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