Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park

Parks Directory of the United States / State Parks / Missouri

Location:8 miles north of Lesterville, off Hwy 21, 13 miles on Hwy N in Reynolds County.
Facilities:In December 2005, the nearby Taum Sauk Reservoir breached, sending 1.3 billion gallons of water through the major day-use area of the park and destroying or damaging most of the facilities along the East Fork of the Black River. Cleanup began immediately, and longterm plans for major redevelopment of the park are in progress. Facilities available during the 2006 season included picnic tables, a playground, and a park store, as well as a boardwalk that takes visitors to an observation deck overlooking the shut-ins.
Activities:Picnicking, interpretive programs.
Special Features:Swift waters of the Black River flowing around some of the oldest exposed rocks in the nation have formed a series of canyonlike gorges or "shut-ins." Most of the park has been left as wilderness, and even under normal conditions, access to the park is limited and some restrictions apply.
Address:HCR 1, Box 126
Middlebrook, MO 63656
Phone:573-546-2450
Web: www.mostateparks.com/jshutins.htm
Size: 8,550 acres.

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References in periodicals archive

The torrent of water, trees, and massive boulders crashed through Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, changing the valley, the people's playground, forever.

Intermingled with these through the park are exhibits and panels describing the natural and cultural resources that make Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park a place worth preserving.

Janet Price is the interpretive resource specialist at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park in Missouri.

Interpreting the emotional journey: from hurt to healing

Roger and Janet Price of Johnson's Shut-ins State Park in Reynolds County, Missouri, created the Bad Rap Bat Rap, giving the perspective of the bat in an entertaining way.

Show me the caves

When a massive flood sent billions of gallons of water rushing through Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park (Missouri) six years ago, shattered rock and other debris covered the hiking trails and campsites and littered the swimming holes that crowds of visitors enjoyed each year.

Some of the most scenic and challenging parts of the Ozark Trail run through Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park. The Ozark Trail can be reached from three local trails within the park.

Stories in stone: interpreting geology at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park

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