Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park RV & Campground Guide
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If you're looking for a tranquil place to relax, then you'll love hearing the runoff from the St. Francois Mountains crash against the boulders in Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park. The land where this park sits became a state park in 1955 after Joseph Desloge gave the land to the state. The state park went through dramatic changes after the Taum Sauk Reservoir breeched in 2005, sending over 1.3 billion gallons of water across the park. Today, visitors find many great places to relax and play in this area. The park is located about 15 miles from Middle Brook, 12 miles from Ironton and 30 miles from Farmington, Missouri. While many are drawn to its natural waterslide, you can find lots to do in and around Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park.
Spring 43-68 F
Summer 62-83 F
Fall 50-75 F
Winter 24-44 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park
The memories you build sliding down the natural rock waterslide and splashing in the water will last a lifetime when you visit this state park. Make the most of your visit here by bringing your RV. If you don't have one, you can look to rent one on RVshare.com.
Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park Campground
Visit the camp store to stock up on supplies at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park Campground, which has camping located around five loops. Rates start at about $13 per night. Select your loop carefully as some offer full hookups while others offer primitive camping experiences or have water only part of the year.
• Water hookup: Yes • Electrical hookup: Yes • Sewer hookup: Yes • Wi-Fi: No • Pet-friendly: Yes • Other amenities: Camp store
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
Climb the mountain at Taum Sauk Mountain State Park when staying at the 12 basic camping spots and you'll be at the highest point in Missouri. Rates start at about $13 per night at this campground.
• Water hookup: No • Electrical hookup: No • Sewer hookup: No • Wi-Fi: No • Pet-friendly: Yes • Other amenities: Mountain hiking
Arcadia Valley RV Park
Arcadia Valley RV Park offers easy access to attractions in the area. Rates start at $32 per day at this campground that's located at a hotel.
• Water hookup: Yes • Electrical hookup: Yes • Sewer hookup: Yes • Wi-Fi: Yes • Pet-friendly: Yes • Other amenities: Ice machine, vending machines
Silver Mines
Silver Mines is located on the banks of the St. Francis River within the Mark Twain Forest. Fishing, kayaking, and other recreational activities abound in this park. Sites start at $15 per night.
• Water hookup: Yes • Electrical hookup: Yes • Sewer hookup: Yes • Wi-Fi: No • Pet-friendly: Yes • Other amenities: Kayaking, fishing
What to Do at
Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park
Inside Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park
Consider renting a bike at the main store to explore this almost 10,000-acre state park. Stop at the Black River Center to watch films about how the park was formed and the rebuilding that occurred after the devastating flood. Listen to audio downloads while exploring the park’s trails to better understand what you're seeing. The East Fork Wild Area and Goggins Mountain Wild Area have no trails, making them a great place to go backcountry exploring at this park that contains over 450 species of plants. Participate in seasonal events, like Halloween Happenings, The Ultimate S'mores Cook-Off and First Day Hike.
How to Get to
Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park
It's easy to reach this park from Farmington, Missouri. Leave town on Highway 221 North, and it will then become State Highway North. In about 31 miles, turn left on Taum Sauk Trail. The park will be on your left.
Entering Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park
Many park facilities are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park Per Person : $0.0
You can partake in many activities at this state park, including watching films and visiting geology attractions. Slide down the natural waterslide and hike the trails with their spectacular views. This park is one of the busiest state parks in Missouri, so campers should make their reservations well ahead of time. If you've spent time exploring Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, share your experiences on your social media feed. You may also want to include some tips for others planning to go to this state park, where many facilities were built after the flood. Don't forget to tag RVshare.com in your post, or you can send your stories and photos to [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions About Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park
Most people visit Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park in the summer to wade in the water and cliff jump. But fall is also an excellent time to visit to see the beautiful fall foliage.
Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park has a continental climate. Summer gets hot and stays relatively dry, with a few downpours throughout the season. Winter is cold and dry. Sometimes it snows, but it's more likely to rain in the winter.
Most of the wildlife you'll encounter at this state park includes deer, squirrels, snakes, and lizards. However, the black bear population in the area has increased, and although quite rare, seeing one isn't out of the question.
Yes, the park has RV-designated sites in five different areas of the park. Some of the sites are quite primitive, with no hookups. Others have water, sewer, and electrical hookups.
Your pets are welcome to visit Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park with you. However, you can't bring them into indoor spaces, and dogs are not permitted on the paved trail to the shut-ins.