With its caves, valleys and water springs, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is among the best hiking spots in Missouri. Its grottoes and underground streams make up its pockmarked karst topography, with a pretty rock bridge considered the park’s highlight. Enjoy a picnic beside the otherworldly and picturesque features of the park.
Encounter the fascinating Devil’s Icebox double sinkhole and view its cave. Snap photos of the views of the underground stream that flows in this grotto. A current of cold air usually runs through the sinkhole, prompting its ice-related name. The cave continues underground for 7 miles (11 kilometers), but it is closed to the public to protect the local endangered gray bats.
Embark on a guided tour of the park with a docent from the main office for a more comprehensive understanding of the ecosystems and topography. Reserve a picnic shelter for your family and friends and let your kids frolic in the playground.
Walk beside the gently flowing water of Connor’s Spring and take a look around Connor’s Cave. Go cycling along the well-laid paths through the forest. Hike or ride horseback into the adjacent Gans Creek Wild Area for its rare plants and tall cliffs.
Learn about the community that settled in the Rock Bridge area in the 19th century and made use of the water power in the cave system. A paper mill, a whiskey distillery and a blacksmith’s workshop stood beside the homes and roads. The area was opened as a state park in 1967.
Note that the park and the Devil’s Icebox gate remain open daily from sunrise to sunset. Admission is free.
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is a 10-minute drive south from Columbia, in the center of Missouri. Arrive at Columbia Regional Airport, which is 6 miles (14 kilometers) southeast of the park. Visit other landmarks in the region, such as the Three Creeks Conservation Area, the Plowboy Bend Conservation Area and A. Perry Philips Park.
