Almost every American has “visiting the Grand Canyon” on their bucket list. However, making the trip to Arizona may not always be feasible. Did you know that Missouri has canyons, too? Although the canyons in the Show Me State may not be quite as grand, they are still beautiful spots with amazing hiking trails! Check out these 3 little known canyons that will show you a side of Missouri that you’ve never seen before.
Grand Gulf State Park is commonly known as Missouri’s little grand canyon.
maldenmusic/TripAdvisor
When looking under the surface of the Show Me State, you’ll often find limestone which is a soft rock that is easily eroded by water. This is one of the main reasons Missouri is home to so many caves.
Missouri State Parks Website
What you’ll find at Grand Gulf State Park is an ancient cave system whose roof collapsed more than 10,000 years ago. Thus, leaving behind a huge canyon like formation.
Missouri State Parks Website You can find Grand Gulf State Park off Hwy. W in Thayer.
Hickory Canyons Natural Area is actually the remains of a shallow ocean that existed 500 million years ago.
Justin Smith/AllTrails
The sandstone canyon that you see today were formed after limestone deposits collected on top of the existing sandstone. After millions of years of erosion and uplift the canyon walls became exposed.
Viktor Leshchenko/AllTrails
One of the most beautiful aspects of Hickory Canyons is the wet weather waterfall that you can spot after a day of rain.
Justin Smith/AllTrails To find Hickory Canyon head to Ste. Genevieve and take Highway 32 (east) to Highway C. From Highway C, turn left (south) on to Sprott Road.
Although not identified as a canyon, the Hercules Glades Wilderness Area features limestone outcrops and narrow drainages that looks like a miniature canyon.
Dan Marquis/AllTrails
Take Coy Bald Trailhead, a 6.7 mile long loop, to explore the Hercules Glades Wilderness Area.
Tyson Brewer/AllTrails
To find Coy Bald Trailshead take Highway 160 east of Forsyth for 9 miles. Turn left onto Forest Road 566 and go approximately 4 miles until you reach the parking area.
Christopher Hurst/AllTrails While Missouri may not have any canyons as large as the ones you would find in Arizona, the spectacular formations we do have are well worth visiting. Take advantage of Misosuri’s unseasonably warm weather and plan a winter hiking trip to any of these impressive nature areas.
Have you seen any of Missouri’s canyons or are there other canyons in Missouri we should know about? Tell us about your hiking trips in the comments below!
maldenmusic/TripAdvisor
Missouri State Parks Website
You can find Grand Gulf State Park off Hwy. W in Thayer.
Justin Smith/AllTrails
Viktor Leshchenko/AllTrails
To find Hickory Canyon head to Ste. Genevieve and take Highway 32 (east) to Highway C. From Highway C, turn left (south) on to Sprott Road.
Dan Marquis/AllTrails
Tyson Brewer/AllTrails
Christopher Hurst/AllTrails
While Missouri may not have any canyons as large as the ones you would find in Arizona, the spectacular formations we do have are well worth visiting. Take advantage of Misosuri’s unseasonably warm weather and plan a winter hiking trip to any of these impressive nature areas.
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