Hey everyone! I went to Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Missouri this past Sunday and I wanted to let y’all know what I think!
Overall, Ian and I had such a great time here! There was a ton to look at and the weather was gorgeous! My favorite part was definitely the castle. The view was incredible up there and the structures are so well built. Looking at the castle just transports you to the time when this place was built and it is crazy to think about how different things were back then.
Ha Ha Tonka Castle
Like I said, this was definitely my favorite part of the park! The park has signs that talk about the history of the castle, which gives you an idea about who built it, as well as how they built it. They actually used donkeys and carts to move the blocks of stone from the quarry!
The view is just stunning and I cannot state enough how upset I am that I did not get to see this castle in its prime. Being up on this huge mountainous property made me super excited for some reason. I told Ian that I cannot wait to buy a home and have a beautiful view like that. Here are some photos I took of the castle, so you could get an understanding of how gorgeous this area is.
The Water Tower and Carriage House
Both of these places are part of the property of the castle. Oddly enough, a fire took out all three buildings, but at separate times. Ian and I were talking about this wondering how the fires started. Maybe it was a fireplace? Arson? Lightning? I have no idea! Regardless, this area is so beautiful and the views are just stunning.
The Spring Trail
This spring was beautiful and this was by far the least busy area that we had been to. The water was gorgeous and there was an island that we were wanting to go on, but I had to go pee and the restrooms down by the spring were actually scotty potty’s that were absolutely repulsive. The visitor center had much cleaner restrooms. We also brought our own toilet paper on the trip with us because I had allergies and it was affecting my nose. I would suggest you do the same because it actually came in handy!
Natural Bridge and Trail
This part was really cool and actually the first place we visited in the day. I will say that this trail was by far the most treacherous. Ian and I actually both fell on this trail. It is narrow and not paved like the others. Lots of climbing and slippery terrain. We didn’t go the whole way, we both fell and decided to turn back. Not to deter you from exploring this trail, just wanted to give a heads up!
Things to Keep In Mind
- Make sure the weather is sunny, breezy, and 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Make sure to being water.
- Make sure to wear comfortable shoes that don’t rub your feet in any way.
- Pick a place to eat and call them to make sure they are open/dine in before you drive anywhere. (Ian and I drove to 3 different restaurants that were’t open/dine in because of COVID and because it is off season)
- Make sure you bring a camera and a good attitude.
- If it gets dark early because it is Spring/Fall, plan some shopping somewhere like Osage beach to extend your day.
- Parking can be a bit scarce, so try to take the first spot you see that is in relative walking distance of your destination.
- Stop at the visitor center and go to the restroom and grab a map before you start your trip through the park.
- Check out Ha Ha Tonka State Park’s website to view trail maps and info on park hours/features.
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