Missouri: Taum Sauk

1,752 ft (534 m)

There’s no dramatic climb or sweeping vista here—just a quiet patch of forest and a marker that says you’ve made it. Taum Sauk Mountain is Missouri’s highest point, nestled in the ancient St. Francois Mountains, where time has softened the edges and the terrain feels more grounded than grand.

A paved, half-mile trail from the parking area leads gently through oak and hickory woods to the summit marker, which sits just a few feet above its surroundings. For more of an adventure, hikers can continue on the Mina Sauk Falls Loop, a rocky 3-mile circuit that visits Missouri’s tallest waterfall and offers glimpses of rugged Ozark terrain.

While the summit itself is modest, it marks a scenic waypoint along the Ozark Trail—a long-distance route that winds through some of the region’s most dramatic terrain. For those willing to linger a little longer, Taum Sauk offers more than a box to check—it’s a foothold in the broader story of Missouri’s wild and weathered hills.

For those looking to extend the visit, the nearby Mina Sauk Falls loop leads to rocky overlooks with sweeping views and eventually reaches Missouri’s tallest waterfall—though the falls are often dry outside of wet weather.

More to come…