Discover the Fabulous Freshwater Springs of Missouri
Missouri may be known for its big cities and historic landmarks but as the home of more than 4,000 springs, it’s also home to some of the most scenic natural spots in the Midwest.
From some of the biggest springs in the country to scenic spots in the heart of the Ozarks, Missouri’s springs are fascinating natural wonders that remind travelers of the awesome power of nature and the incredibly scenic pools of sparking blue water that power generates.
What Are Springs?
Quite simply, springs are openings — usually through rock or the ground — where water flows through. Springs can be a prominent feature of a karst landscape, occurring where the water table interacts with the surface of the Earth.
In Missouri, visitors can see many types of springs, including seeps and underground streams.
Seeps can be trickles of water that saturate the soil and well up through them. Underground streams — what are traditionally thought of as “springs” — can run the gamut, from slow trickles to millions of gallons of water a day, like many of Missouri’s springs.
Big Spring
Big Spring is one of the nation’s biggest springs and the largest in the Show Me State, renowned for its bright blue waters. It astounds anyone who sees it with a daily flow of more than 250 million gallons of water into the Current River and it stays around 58 degrees Fahrenheit.
DID YOU KNOW: Water that pools from a spring looks blue because of the water’s depth and the reflection of light.
Maramec Spring Park
Maramec Spring Park is one of Missouri’s trout fishing hotspots, but the centerpiece of the park is one of the state’s biggest springs, churning out 96 million gallons of water daily. Elsewhere in the park, visitors can enjoy two museums, camping facilities, playgrounds, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.
Bennett Spring State Park
As one of Missouri’s earliest state parks, Bennett Spring has long been a favorite of residents and visitors alike. It’s home to a spring that gushes over 100 million gallons a day, creating a natural pool always stocked with rainbow trout. It’s also a nature lover’s dream with hiking trails to explore and a variety of lodging options.
Roaring River State Park
Situated in the southwest hills of the Ozarks, Roaring River beckons all adventurers with its wealth of outdoor opportunities and scenic spring. Roaring River Spring originates from a deep gorge surrounded by greenery that spews more than 20 million gallons per day into the Roaring River.
DID YOU KNOW: Spring water usually stays at a constant temperature of around 56 degrees Fahrenheit because of the temperature of the ground beneath Earth’s surface.
Marked by its rugged and striking valley landscape, the park is popular with anglers trying to land a trophy trout. It also offers many lodging options, numerous hiking trails, and plenty of relaxing space.
Montauk State Park
Located in southern Missouri at the headwaters of the Current River, Montauk State Park is home to seven different natural springs, including Montauk Spring, which has an average flow of 53 million gallons of water each day.
Elsewhere, the park is well known for its rainbow and brown trout fishing and three historic sites — including an old gristmill — that were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
Blue Spring
The stunningly turquoise waters of Blue Spring have captured the imaginations of visitors of all ages for years and this spring is so beautiful, it’s been called the “Spring of the Summer Sky.”
Blue Spring produces more than 90 million gallons of water each day, creating a scenic pool that’s more than 300 feet deep — one of the deepest springs in the country, which can be seen from a wooden deck on its edge.
Welch Spring
Nestled in the shadow of a former hospital, Welch Spring pours forth over 70 million gallons of water each day into the Current River and its waters were once believed to have healing powers. The hospital’s remains can still be seen and the spring’s clear water is a beautiful spot along the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
DID YOU KNOW: Spring water isn’t safe to drink right away due to pollution and bacteria and should be treated like creek water and boiled before drinking.
Greer Spring
A trek through the scenic, rugged terrain of the Ozarks in Mark Twain National Forest rewards adventurers with views of Missouri’s second-biggest spring.
The spring churns more than 200 million gallons of water each day, which rushes from the mouth of a cave toward the Eleven Point River. Trekkers can follow the Greer Spring Trail north of Alton on a two-mile, out-and-back hike to reach the spring.
Ha Ha Tonka Spring
Located in Camdenton, Ha Ha Tonka State Park is a geological wonderland filled with bluffs, caves, sinkholes, and Ha Ha Tonka Spring, best viewed at the water’s edge.
The spring, which feeds the Lake of the Ozarks, produces 48 million gallons of water daily. Throughout the park, visitors can follow a series of boardwalks and trails to explore its many wonders, including a historic castle and scenic lake area.
Hodgson Water Mill and Spring
Located in Ozark County near Dora, this spring once powered a grist mill for most of the 20th century, which provided power for nearby businesses. Today, the spring still flows strong, producing about 25 million gallons of water daily into Bryant Creek. For visitors of all ages, the spring creates a picturesque, waterfall-like setting, perfect for relaxation and some scenic photography.
Alley Spring and Mill
Nestled near one of the most photographed spots in Missouri — the historic Alley Mill — the Alley Spring pumps out more than 80 million gallons of water a day into a teal-blue pool that’s even more beautiful in person. The spring can be found along the 3/4-mile Spring Branch Trail west of Eminence.
Reeds Spring Mill
Nestled near Centerville, the Reeds Spring Mill has a rich history going back a century. The original mill here was built in 1881 to grind corn and flour and a sawmill was added later.
The original mill provided electricity to the surrounding community into the 1920s and was eventually dismantled and displayed at the 1939 World’s Fair and later the Smithsonian Institution.
The mill on the original site is a replica of the original mill with an overshot wheel and a spring pond. The spring appears behind the mill, flowing from the side of a scenic hill to form a blue pond before growing and flowing into the Black River.
Discover the Beautiful Springs of Missouri
There’s something magical about hearing the churn of rushing water from a spring as it spills into a majestic pool of the most amazing shade of blue. That’s exactly what residents and visitors alike will find when they visit the many springs of Missouri.
Whether you’re looking for a quick out-and-back hike, a scenic day trip, or the perfect spots for unforgettable photography, the springs of Missouri are wonders of nature that showcase the perfect blend of power and beauty.