Johnson Shut-ins

[Allegra]

This may be a long shot, but is there anyone out there in CA land who has visited Johnson Shut-ins State Park in MO? My husband and I would really like to visit there, however, we’re having difficulty getting information on the terrain and the setup. We understand from the park map that there is a considerable walk from the parking area to the actual shut-ins area and we were wondering if the path is paved or at least flat enough to allow stroller access. We’re concerned about having to haul our picnic stuff and baby stuff as well as a wiggly toddler. Since the park is a two-hour drive, we don’t want to make this a find-out-yourself adventure.

 

[Luvz2travel]

This may be a long shot, but is there anyone out there in CA land who has visited Johnson Shut-ins State Park in MO? My husband and I would really like to visit there, however, we’re having difficulty getting information on the terrain and the setup. We understand from the park map that there is a considerable walk from the parking area to the actual shut-ins area and we were wondering if the path is paved or at least flat enough to allow stroller access. We’re concerned about having to haul our picnic stuff and baby stuff as well as a wiggly toddler. Since the park is a two-hour drive, we don’t want to make this a find-out-yourself adventure.

I was there recently and checked out the camp ground fairly quickly. The camping area I know is wheelchair or stroller friendly. There is a sort of deck style set of wood stairs going down to the actually rocky portion of the shutins which would not be stroller friendly. There is also a trail I took which goes down to the calmer flater section of the shut ins. Part of it would be stroller friendly part is not. It would be best to call the visitors center or parks department and ask them. I was hiking and didn’t real pay attention to how easy it was since I don’t have kids it’s not something I usually think about but there were families on the trail while I was there and they had little kids. It’s a family oriented place. A large portion of the trail is overlook style with lots of railings so if you don’t want to go down into the shut ins you can still get a good view.

I wasn’t impressed with the camp grounds as they are parking lot style and I prefer more basic scenic camping. I’d rent a cabin if I stayed in the area. But that’s just me.

Oh by the way if you are down in the area check out Elephant Rocks that is very accessible and has way cool stuff. It’s not far from there. Also Hughs mountain if you can hike about a mile and go up hill. Castor River shutins is also a cool place but gets crowded as well. I love the Acadia Valley region there is my favorit part of Missouri.

 

[Allegra]

I was there recently and checked out the camp ground fairly quickly. The camping area I know is wheelchair or stroller friendly. There is a sort of deck style set of wood stairs going down to the actually rocky portion of the shutins which would not be stroller friendly. There is also a trail I took which goes down to the calmer flater section of the shut ins. Part of it would be stroller friendly part is not. It would be best to call the visitors center or parks department and ask them. I was hiking and didn’t real pay attention to how easy it was since I don’t have kids it’s not something I usually think about but there were families on the trail while I was there and they had little kids. It’s a family oriented place. A large portion of the trail is overlook style with lots of railings so if you don’t want to go down into the shut ins you can still get a good view.

I wasn’t impressed with the camp grounds as they are parking lot style and I prefer more basic scenic camping. I’d rent a cabin if I stayed in the area. But that’s just me.

Oh by the way if you are down in the area check out Elephant Rocks that is very accessible and has way cool stuff. It’s not far from there. Also Hughs mountain if you can hike about a mile and go up hill. Castor River shutins is also a cool place but gets crowded as well. I love the Acadia Valley region there is my favorit part of Missouri.

Thanks for the advice! We aren’t planning on spending the night. Arcadia is only two to two and a half hours from our home. I haven’t been able to get much advice because no one I know has been there since the epic reservoir failure damaged everything. Apparently there have been a lot of changes since then.

 

[Luvz2travel]

Thanks for the advice! We aren’t planning on spending the night. Arcadia is only two to two and a half hours from our home. I haven’t been able to get much advice because no one I know has been there since the epic reservoir failure damaged everything. Apparently there have been a lot of changes since then.

I was only there for the first time about 2 months ago. Very cool place. If you get a chance run by the scour trail. You can see where the water ran down the valley and tore out the rock and vegitation. It’s considered a geological wonder because of the color variety in the rocks. Purples, reds and blues. Note with all the rain we’ve gotten it’s possible it’s flooded at the moment but check with the parks department before you go.

 

[Allegra]

I was only there for the first time about 2 months ago. Very cool place. If you get a chance run by the scour trail. You can see where the water ran down the valley and tore out the rock and vegitation. It’s considered a geological wonder because of the color variety in the rocks. Purples, reds and blues. Note with all the rain we’ve gotten it’s possible it’s flooded at the moment but check with the parks department before you go.

It is flooded now. We wouldn’t be going until the end of July.

 

[Allegra]

Update: We finally went to the Shut-ins today! (Our original plan was postponed due to oppressive heat!) We had a wonderful time! In case anyone else was wondering, the path from the parking lot down to the Shut-ins is both stroller and wheelchair accessible. (Newly constructed by Ameren as part of their court-ordered repentance.) There is one point of access to the area above the rapids that only involves about six stairs and a reasonably sized stroller is fairly easily lifted over it. The second access point involves a much longer staircase as well as climbing over considerable rock formations, however, there is ample stroller parking at the top! It was a beautiful day trip and if anyone is planning on visiting that region of Missouri, I highly recommend it!

 

[Allegra]

I was only there for the first time about 2 months ago. Very cool place. If you get a chance run by the scour trail. You can see where the water ran down the valley and tore out the rock and vegitation. It’s considered a geological wonder because of the color variety in the rocks. Purples, reds and blues. Note with all the rain we’ve gotten it’s possible it’s flooded at the moment but check with the parks department before you go.

My daughter LOVED examining all the different colored rocks. Maybe she’s a toddler geologist!

 

[Joie_de_Vivre]

My daughter LOVED examining all the different colored rocks. Maybe she’s a toddler geologist!

Feed the budding rockhound.