Missouri is home to some of the largest freshwater springs in the country. Millions of gallons of water bubble up from the ground each day, creating brilliant blue pools and crystal-clear streams. Short paths and hiking trails guide you these breathtaking spots.
Big Spring
Several springs feed the Current and Jacks Fork rivers in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, the first national park area to protect a river system. Near Van Buren, a walkway leads to Big Spring, one of the three largest springs in the U.S. It’s an impressive sight with an average daily flow of 276 million gallons of water. The Big Spring Slough Trail, a 1.2-mile loop, includes exhibits about the area’s history and habitat.
Blue Spring
Take a half-mile hike to Blue Spring – with water a shade of turquoise you have to see to believe. Osage Tribe members reportedly called it “Spring of the Summer Sky.” Walk onto the wooden deck at the edge of the pool and peer into one of the deepest springs in the country. The sixth largest spring in Missouri produces more than 90 million gallons of water a day, creating the 310-foot-deep pool.
Alley Spring
The three-quarter-mile Spring Branch Trail circles Alley Spring, west of Eminence. The state’s seventh-largest freshwater spring pumps out more than 80 million gallons of water each day. The Alley Spring Overlook Trail is a 1.5-mile loop that includes a steep climb to an overlook with views of the valley below. Historic Alley Mill, at the edge of the teal-blue spring, is one of the most photographed spots Missouri.
Greer Spring
Trek through rugged Ozark terrain to reach Greer Spring, the state’s second largest, churning out 214 million gallons of water daily. Greer Spring Trail, a nearly 2-mile out-and-back hike, is located eight miles north of Alton. The spring water rushes from the mouth of a cave, creating a fast-moving stream that feeds the Eleven Point River.
Spring Trail at Ha Ha Tonka State Park
The 1.4-mile Spring Trail at Ha Ha Tonka State Park, located at Lake of the Ozarks, starts at the edge of the lake and travels alongside rock bluffs to a spring with an average daily flow of 58 million gallons of water. Beyond the spring, the loop trail ascends 316 steps and provides spectacular views.
Maramec Spring Park
Trout fishing attracts thousands to Maramec Spring Park each year, but you don’t have to be an angler to enjoy the scenery. The centerpiece of the park is the spring, the fifth largest in Missouri, producing an average 96 million gallons of water daily. You’ll also find beautiful springs at Missouri’s other trout parks: Bennett Spring State Park, Roaring River State Park and Montauk State Park.
Additional Resources on Missouri’s Springs
Visit Springs | Missouri Department of Conservation (mo.gov) for more information on how springs form and their importance in Missouri.