Rural Missouri - June 2021 - 18

RM | OUTDOORS

State Park aquatic trails offer
summer adventure on the water
by Zach Smith | zsmith@ruralmissouri.coop

I

t wouldn't be summer in Missouri without spending
some much-needed time on the water. For many ShowMe Staters, Missouri's state parks have been the playground of choice. In order to serve a growing interest in
paddlesports during recent years, the park system offers a
new way to see old favorites through marked aquatic trails
at six of the parks.
" Because of the popularity of kayaks we rent them
at more than 15 parks now, " says Missouri State Parks
Deputy Director David Kelly. " It's a different experience
that helps us keep up with visitor needs. "
Along with kayaks and trails to use them, David says
the parks offer camping and paddling programs for newcomers who wanted to experience outdoor activities. Those
additions likely prepared them for an influx of visitors last
year, which set record numbers across the state.
" We didn't know what to expect in 2020, and even
though we were closed a month and a half, attendance was
up 14 percent, " David says. " We saw a lot of new visitors
being exposed to what we think is the best state park

18

RURAL MISSOURI | JUNE 2021

system in the nation, and we anticipate they'll come back
this year. "
Paddlers will find an aquatic trail to tackle in almost
every part of the state, including the Big Niangua River
Trail which ends at Ha Ha Tonka State Park. At 1.25
miles, the Monsanto Lake Water Trail at St. Joe State Park
is the shortest but it's jampacked with scenery of dolomite glades, native grasses, shortleaf pines and information on Missouri's Old Lead Belt. Wakonda State Park in
northeast Missouri offers the most mileage - three trails
totaling 9.95 miles - although Jasper, Agate and Wakonda
lakes are closed at certain times of the year for waterfowl
migration. Needless to say wildlife, plus a rare example of
Missouri's sand prairies, are the highlights of these trails.
Float-in campsites also are available in the Bee Trace section of Long Branch State Park near Macon.
Whether your goal is to shake up a training regimen for
the MR340 or fish away a lazy afternoon, the aquatic trails
offer an experience on the water that is not to be missed.
And the fun doesn't stop at trail's end. Be sure to check
out the other adventures waiting for you in Missouri State
Parks.



Rural Missouri - June 2021

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