Nature and Sports Missouri NASMO

Throwback to when we camped in single digit temps.

It seemed chilly then, but on a day like today I’d love to jump in those ice cold waters!

Adventure Outdoors always takes care of us when we go out when no one else wants to. Heck, they’ll even take you out for a float when it’s warm too! 😉

Back to our Top Ten State Parks of Missouri list!

Coming in at #2 is a park every St. Louisan has heard of and probably been to, Castlewood State Park.

Between Ballwin and Lone Elk Park, you’ll find trails, abundant wildlife, and a quintessential taste of Missouri Outdoors right in your backyard.

This park can get pretty crowded and the Meramec River can be treacherous at times so this park does not come without a few drawbacks. The park does although have a few good spots to fish and some of the best mountain biking trails in the area according to the internet people.

This list was compiled by online rankings where Castlewood is always near the top. While I don’t think it would make my personal Top Ten List, I do think everyone should check this park out at least once.

-Stevie Walkabouts

Got to check out lake #33 aka Kraut Run Lake in Busch Wildlife today.

Saw a ton of snakes, blue gill, herons and other birds but no bass or catfish.

Busch Wildlife has a ton of stocked lakes and this one has boat rentals. The water looked JUICY so I’ll definitely be back. Anyone else fish there?

This weekend, the family and I visited #3 on our Top Ten State Park List.

It DID NOT disappoint.

Holy moly is Johnson Shut Ins State Park amazing!

Located an hour and forty-five minutes outside of Saint Louis, this is a place everyone is going to want to see. It’s in the Arcadia Valley and there aren’t many places to get supplies near by so pack accordingly. But there are two stores on the property, bathrooms, and changing rooms so you’ll be well taken care of!

While it may not be the best place for small children because of the numerous rock formations, there are areas where our 6 and 12 year olds had a blast.

There are a lot of stairs but the trail is pristine. A nice boardwalk leads you to an area where you have to do your best mountain goat impersonation to get to the water.

The rocks under the water are SLICK. This cannot be understated. I had to get out of the water like a seal sliding on its belly upon a glacier.

The views are breathtaking and the water features are so cool. Or should I say COLD because that water will cool you to your bones. Great on a hot day though!

Our kids said this was one of their favorite parks and I think I agree with them. We’ll definite be back.

Stay tuned for more State Park Info! We’re down to our top two! Exciting!

-Stevie Walkabouts

Know someone with a great personality but has never gone fishing?!

Well I wanna fish with them! No not to make myself feel good about myself ok well maybe just a little. I want to show the world the joys of fishing!

Tag them here or DM me if anyone comes to mind!

(Pic for attention)

Ever been to Cabela’s in Hazlewood, Missouri?

I could spend hours and thousands of dollars in this place! So cool!

Hello, Missouri.

Do you like to hike, camp, fish, explore, kayak, sun bathe, swim, frolic with animals and in general just “have fun”?

Well then NASMO is the follow for you.

I have people come up to me literally everyday and say “Stevie Walkabouts, will you please teach me the ways of the wilderness in Missouri State Parks.”

And I say “Yes, my sweet little innocent human. A million times, yes.”

Ok that has never happened but maybe one day.

#4 on our Ultimate List of Top Ten State Parks in Missouri is Ha Ha Tonka State Park. Nothing funny about how beautiful this park is. Ha ha! I was actually laughing there not restating the name of the park. This could get confusing…

Anywho, this park is bad to the bone.

Some fella from KC built a European style castle in the middle of Missouri. Hey dream big.

It was burnt down by a group of people cosplaying as Germanic barbarians who just couldn’t help themselves but that happens.

Ok that last part may be false but no one really knows so hey.

If you like to fish and walk on picturesque trails, this is your spot. So that means this is my spot. I love it.

There isn’t much in the way of camping but this spot is near Lake of the Ozarks State Park which has an abundance of camping.

There’s also this land bridge that may be one of my favorite features of any park in our top ten. I’ll def be back to this majestic mini mountain.

I highly recommend checking this park out even if you’re just doing a little vacay at LOZ. It’s that cool.

Til next time, explore more and stay wild, America.

-Stevie Walkabouts

“Stevie Walkabouts, I couldn’t sleep last night because all I could do was wonder what number 5 would be in your Top Ten State Parks of Missouri list. Please end the insanity.” -Signed Everyone

Well everyone, you’re in luck because you’re staring at pictures of our #5 State Park Elephant Rocks State Park!

What a beauty this one is. It’s truly a one of a kind. Except for it’s multiverse versions but that’s a topic for another day.

Located in the Arcadia Valley region, it’s nestled in among some of the other natural wonders Missouri has to offer.

It gets it name from the giant 1.5 billion year old granite boulders lined up like elephants tail to trunk. Climb upon them and drink in the views as they are truly awe-inspiring. There’s a bunch so keep walking and you’ll keep finding them!

The trails are a bit rugged but there’s one called the Braille Trail that will lead you to an old granite building reminiscent of a structure from “O Brother Where Art Thou”.

When I was out there, there was a high school doing a scavenger hunt of some sort. They were searching for Pokey Man’s which I assume is some sort of prehistoric man species fossil. Education builds dreams is what I always said this one time.

This park is only an hour and a half from where I live in Saint Louis but it is definitely worth the drive. A day spent out there is a day well spent.

Til the next time, remember to explore more and live wild.

-Stevie Walkabouts

We head north for our #6 submission on the Top Ten State Parks in Missouri list.

Cuivre River State Park is right by Troy, MO and it’s a hidden gem amongst the usual Ozarkian haunts. Most of the time it’s a southern trek that will take you to the promise land but not this time, no sirree Bob. Troy is a nice little town with a Casey’s so grab a slice of pie on the way out.

This place is pretty sweet.

If you like fishing or kayaking, there’s tons of room for that. They have rentals right by a lil Missouri Hoosier beach where Midwesterners dream of Destin. “Oh is that a dolphin?!” No it’s a largemouth bass, but close enough.

Camping is abundant with some magnificent views of Lake Lincoln named after the log I assume. They even have 3 yurt type structures.

The trails look like they could be as tough or as easy as you want as the land undulates quite a bit.

One of the coolest features is a spillway where water flows from the lake. It looks like a motivated river, the lazy river’s distant cousin.

Birds were all over and the landscape was stunning.

I’ll definitely be back to this park to explore some more.



-Stevie Walkabouts