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Missouri
56

Missouri State Parks

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USA Parks
Missouri
Southeast Region
Hawn State Park
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Hawn State Park Pickle Creek Trail 080428 © Henderson Smith III
Along side the Pickle Creek trail
Hawn State Park Pickle Creek 080428 © Henderson Smith III
Looking down to the Pickle Creek along the Pickle Creek trail
Hawn State Park Pickle Creek 080428 © Henderson Smith III
Taking steps across the Pickle Creek
Hawn State Park Pickle Creek 080428-The Road Runner Rock © Henderson Smith III
This reminds us of the rock from all those Road Runner cartoons.
Hawn State Park © Henderson Smith III
Hawn State Park Pickle Creek 080428 © Henderson Smith III
Along the Pickle Creek
Hawn State Park Pickle Creek 080428 © Henderson Smith III
Already to do the 2 mile trail...
Hawn State Park Pickle Creek 080428 © Henderson Smith III
Her and the tree are the only things holding up this rock
Hawn State Park © Henderson Smith III
Hawn State Park © Henderson Smith III
Hawn State Park © Henderson Smith III
Hawn State Park © Henderson Smith III
Hawn State Park © Ben Prepelka
Hawn State Park Pickle Creek © Thomas Wagner
Hawn State Park Pickle Creek © Thomas Wagner
Hawn State Park Pickle Creek © Thomas Wagner
Hawn State Park © Ben Prepelka
Hawn State Park Bluffs Over Pickle Creek © Greg Matchick
Sandstone bluffs overlook Pickle Creek amidst fall colors at Hawn State Park.
Hawn State Park Autumn on Pckle Creek II © Greg Matchick
Autumn colors as Pickle Creek meanders through sandstone river bed at Hawn State Park.
Hawn State Park © Henderson Smith III
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HAWN STATE PARK
HAWN STATE PARK
12096 Park Drive
Ste. Genevieve, Missouri   63670

Phone: 573-883-3603
Toll Free: 800-334-6946
Reservations: 877-422-6766
Email: park email button icon
Many visitors believe that Hawn State Park is the loveliest of Missouri's state parks, with forests of pine and oak, sandstone bluffs and canyons, and clear sand-bottom streams. The park's many trails, picnic areas and campground are well suited for visitors wishing to enjoy the splendor of nature; it is truly a nature lover's paradise.

The 4,953-acre park preserves some of the finest areas for viewing Missouri's wide variety of natural wonders. The 2,880-acre Whispering Pine Wild Area offers excellent opportunities to backpack, bird watch or study nature. Covered with pine, oak and flowering dogwood trees, the area is home to a diverse set of plants, animals and birds. Pickle Creek, because of its high quality and pristine nature, has been designated as a state natural area. It is also one of the few places in the state where visitors can see such a wide variety of rock types exposed at the surface.

Enjoy a quiet lunch at one of the many picnic tables that dot the sandy, pine-needle-covered forest floor. Hike along some of the most scenic backcountry trails in Missouri. Hawn State Park is the perfect setting for visitors eager to explore the unspoiled natural beauty of the Show-Me-State.
Camping
Hawn State Park Campground Information

Hawn State Park offers basic and electric campsites. Services available include reservable sites, a dump station, showers, water and laundry.

Campsites 1-9 are open year-round. Campsites 10-50 are open April through October; from November through March, 10-50 are used only for overflow camping.

For reservations, there is a required two-night minimum stay on weekends from April through October and major holidays from May 15 through Sept. 15.

Park Gate Information

Park gates close at 9 p.m. during the on-season and at sunset during the off-season. Campers need to be sure to arrive prior to gate closure time.



Picnicking
To relax with an afternoon picnic, visitors can choose from the 30 picnic sites nestled under the pine trees. An open picnic shelter, approximately 100-person occupancy, can be reserved at the park office for $30 per day. If not reserved, the shelter may be used on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge. The shelter includes two outdoor barbecue grills and picnic tables.
Trails
Whispering Pine Trail - 10 miles

Whispering Pine Trail was constructed in 1976 and 1977 with the help of the Ozark Chapter of the Sierra Club. This effort has resulted in what is generally considered to be one of the best hiking and backpacking trails in the state. The trail consists of two loops: the north loop is approximately six miles long and the south loop is approximately four miles. The trail provides the opportunity for day hikes of varying lengths or a longer backpacking trip. It meanders through a beautiful mixed hardwood and pine forest, which is home to a variety of animals such as bobcat and wild turkey. Extensive exposures of sandstone and granite can be explored along the banks of Pickle Creek and the River Aux Vases. Mosses and ferns create a luxurious effect on the moist overhangs that occur along the two streams. Whispering Pine Trail can be reached by turning left at the park entrance and proceeding to the picnic area where a parking area is provided. Water is not available at the trail head, but can be obtained at the park office or the campground.

Pickle Creek Trail - 1 mile

Pickle Creek Trail begins at the picnic area located between the park office and the campground. The entire trail follows Pickle Creek, which is a beautiful shut-ins stream. This persistent stream has carved its way through the surrounding sandstone to its present course. The result is a clear, sandy-bottom creek strewn with water-sculpted granite boulders and numerous exposed sandstone bluffs. The trail provides a point-to-point hike, although a loop hike is possible by returning on a portion of Whispering Pine Trail that traverses the bluffs on the opposite side of the creek.
Nature Programs
From May through August, a seasonal naturalist provides regularly scheduled interpretive programs on weekends. Programs include nature hikes, slide shows, nature bingo and much more. Please contact the park office for additional information regarding interpretive programs.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
July 8 Remote by tmwag
park review stars; one to five This place is like stepping into virgin wilderness. So quiet all you can hear is rushing water and wind whispering through the pines...If you visit Missouri..this has got to be your first stop for backpacking
November 15 So Many Memories by Medfly
park review stars; one to five All water here seeks the Mississippi. Water has for many hundred million years carved the rocks of Eastern Missouri into fantastic and delicate shapes. Nowhere will you see that more dramatically displayed than at Hawn. Oh, yeah. We had a hellacious rock concert there in 1975.
August 24 We never get tired of Hawn by franski
park review stars; one to five Pristine trails. When you get into the second loop trail you cannot hear any traffic, except an occasional airplane. You can imagine what it must have been like to be one of the first to see it.
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Directions
From St. Louis : Hawn State Park is 60 miles south of St. Louis and 20 miles west of Ste. Genevieve. From south St. Louis, take I-55 south to Exit 150. Exit onto Hwy. 32 and travel west 11 miles to Hwy. 144. Turn left onto Hwy. 144 and travel 4 miles to reach the state park.

From Farmington : Hawn State Park is 13 miles east of Farmington. Take Hwy. 32 east 9 miles to Hwy. 144. Turn right onto Hwy. 144 and travel 4 miles to reach the state park.

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Missouri
56

Missouri State Parks

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