Hiking near
Ste Genevieve
Hawk State Park
A 4,956-acre gem featuring sandy-bottom streams, sandstone canyons, and towering pines and oaks. Trails range from short walks to nearly 10-mile backpacking loops that offer rich geology and excellent birdwatching. The park includes named trails like Whispering Pines, White Oak, and Pickle Creek
Pickle Springs Natural Area
A 256-acre National Natural Landmark known for its small box canyons (“shut-ins”), seasonal waterfalls, rare fern and amphibian habitats, and mossy landscapes. Access is via a ~2-mile “Trail Through Time” that winds through sandstone formations and geological wonders
Hickory Cannon Natural Area
Offers two scenic options: a ¼-mile trail to a dramatic horseshoe-shaped box canyon (often featuring a 40-foot waterfall after rain), and a more rugged 1-mile loop through sandstone bluffs, creek crossings, and oak-maple-pine forest—spectacular during azalea bloom or in winter when icicles form.
Elephant Rock State Park
Step into a prehistoric playground at Elephant Rocks State Park, where 1.5-billion-year-old pink granite boulders—some the size of houses—stand like a parade of stone elephants. Climb, squeeze through “Fat Man’s Squeeze,” wander the accessible Braille Trail, and uncover old quarry ruins in a park that blends ancient geology, hands-on fun, and stunning Ozark scenery.