Mineral Point MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Mineral Point, Missouri.
1. Hughes Mountain
MAJESTIC MOUNTAIN VIEWS
Hughes Mountain is a popular natural attraction in Mineral Point offering breathtaking views of the surrounding area. Visitors can hike to the summit and explore the unique geological formations known as the Devil's Honeycomb. The mountain provides excellent opportunities for outdoor activities and photography throughout the year.
2. Cherokee Landing
KAYAKING AND CANOEING PARADISE
Cherokee Landing is a premier destination for water activities in Mineral Point, specializing in kayaking and canoeing adventures. The facility offers gear rentals and guided tours for visitors of all experience levels. Its location provides access to stunning waterways surrounded by Missouri's natural beauty.
3. The Space Museum and Grissom Center
COSMIC SCIENCE EXPLORATION
The Space Museum and Grissom Center offers visitors a fascinating journey through space exploration history. The museum features exhibits dedicated to astronaut Gus Grissom and other aspects of America's space program. Science enthusiasts and families alike enjoy the interactive displays and educational materials available at this unique attraction.
4. Elephant Rocks State Park
ANCIENT GRANITE FORMATIONS
Elephant Rocks State Park features massive elephant-shaped granite boulders that date back 1.5 billion years. Visitors can explore the Braille Trail, a specially designed path that makes the park accessible to people with visual or physical disabilities. The park offers picnic areas, hiking opportunities, and fascinating geological wonders perfect for exploration.
5. Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park
NATURAL WATER PLAYGROUND
Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park is known for its unique geological formation where the Black River cascades through ancient volcanic rock creating natural water slides and pools. Visitors can swim in the shut-ins during summer months or hike the surrounding trails year-round. The park also offers camping facilities, picnic areas, and a visitor center with educational exhibits.
6. Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
MISSOURI'S HIGHEST POINT
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park is home to the highest point in Missouri at 1,772 feet above sea level. The park features the Mina Sauk Falls, the state's tallest wet-weather waterfall, accessible via a rugged three-mile hiking loop. Outdoor enthusiasts appreciate the park for its scenic overlooks, diverse plant life, and connection to the Ozark Trail system.
7. Fort Davidson State Historic Site
CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELD
Fort Davidson State Historic Site preserves the location of a significant Civil War battle that took place in September 1864. The site features a museum with exhibits explaining the Battle of Pilot Knob and its importance in Missouri's Civil War history. Visitors can explore the hexagonal earthworks fort remnants and view a 100-foot granite monument honoring soldiers who died in the battle.
8. St. Joe State Park
OFF-ROAD ADVENTURE PARADISE
St. Joe State Park offers over 2,000 acres of off-road vehicle trails built on the sandy tailings of Missouri's former largest lead mining operation. The park features four lakes for swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating activities. Visitors can also enjoy camping, picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails throughout the expansive park grounds.
9. Missouri Mines State Historic Site
MINING HISTORY MUSEUM
Missouri Mines State Historic Site is housed in the former St. Joe Minerals Corporation's lead mine-mill complex, showcasing the region's rich mining history. The museum displays massive mining machinery, mineral specimens, and exhibits explaining how lead, zinc, and other minerals were extracted and processed. Visitors gain insight into the technological, geological, and historical aspects of Missouri's once-thriving lead mining industry.
10. Washington State Park
ANCIENT PETROGLYPHS PRESERVE
Washington State Park is home to the largest collection of Native American petroglyphs in Missouri, featuring over 1,000 prehistoric rock carvings. The park offers swimming facilities, hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and camping along the Big River. Visitors can also explore the stone structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s, adding historical significance to the natural beauty.
11. Hawn State Park
PRISTINE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE
Hawn State Park is renowned for its pristine wilderness featuring crystal-clear Pickle Creek, sandstone canyons, and diverse plant life including wild azaleas and shortleaf pine trees. The park offers nearly 20 miles of hiking trails, including the challenging 10-mile Whispering Pines Trail beloved by backpackers. Visitors enjoy camping, picnicking, bird watching, and photography in this natural sanctuary known for its exceptional biodiversity.
12. Bonne Terre Mine
UNDERWATER MINE ADVENTURE
Bonne Terre Mine offers a unique boat tour through a billion-gallon, crystal-clear lake that fills the massive abandoned lead mine. Visitors can see original mining artifacts, ore carts, and mining structures illuminated beneath the water's surface. Certified scuba divers can explore deeper into the underwater mining complex, which is ranked as one of the world's top ten diving destinations.
13. Desloge Consolidated Lead Company
HISTORIC MINING LANDMARK
The Desloge Consolidated Lead Company site features the remnants of a once-thriving lead mining operation that was crucial to the development of Missouri's Lead Belt region. Visitors can see the towering remains of the company's iconic smokestack, which stands as a monument to the area's industrial heritage. The site provides educational opportunities about mining history and economic development in rural Missouri.
14. Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site
CIVIL WAR HERITAGE
The Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site commemorates one of the most decisive Civil War battles fought in Missouri. The site includes a visitor center with exhibits featuring artifacts, a fiber-optic map presentation, and interpretive information about the 1864 battle. Visitors can walk the grounds where Union soldiers successfully defended against Confederate forces during Price's Raid into Missouri.
15. Maramec Spring Park
HISTORIC IRON WORKS
Maramec Spring Park is centered around Missouri's fifth-largest spring, which produces an average of 100 million gallons of water daily. The park preserves the ruins of the historic Maramec Iron Works, one of Missouri's earliest and most significant iron-making operations. Visitors enjoy trout fishing in the spring branch, exploring the on-site museum, hiking scenic trails, and picnicking alongside the crystal-clear waters.