Washington State Park
Washington State Park has miles of scenic trails looping through rocky hollows and glades and climbing atop bluffs above the Big River. During the Depression, the C.C.C. built lodges, cabins and trails in the park. If that's not enough to make you want to visit, Washington State Park also holds 2/3rds of Missouri's Native American petrogylphs.
Scroll to the bottom of the page for the 1,000 Steps Trail.
Scroll to the bottom of the page for the 1,000 Steps Trail.
Rockywoods Trail
The Rockywoods Trail is the longest, most wild and scenic trail in the park. It winds for 7 miles through the forest hills passing through an old C.C.C. camp and glades before climbing onto the bluffs above the Big River. Along the way, you'll pass Missouri's largest display of petrogylphs.
Distance: 7 mile loop
Gps track Scenery: 4 Stars
Difficulty- Moderate
Distance: 7 mile loop
Gps track Scenery: 4 Stars
Difficulty- Moderate
Starting out from the park visitor center in the east park of the park, the trail crosses the park road and descends some. For about 3/4ths of a mile, the trail wanders through a rocky forest within sight of Hwy. 21. Then, you climb a small hill and cross a road right by the petrogylph site. Take the quick detour to the pavilion covering the petrogylphs.
Right from the petrogyph site, the trail descends through a big glade. There are some really nice views here before re-entering the forest.
The trail goes back into the woods for another mile before crossing the park road. There are some rocky outcroppings and gullies before reaching a steep climb that takes you out of the hollow and up to the park road.
After about another mile of hiking through forested hollows and ridges, you reach the old C.C.C. camp. There are a few big chimneys still standing and the foundations of two or three bunkhouses. It's pretty neat to see a 20 foot high chimney standing nice and straight 80 years after the Depression.
From the C.C.C. camp, the trail joins a dirt service road for a quarter mile before heading back into the woods.
From the C.C.C. camp, the trail joins a dirt service road for a quarter mile before heading back into the woods.
About 2/3rds of a mile after the C.C.C. camp, the trail enters a large glade area. The trail wanders and descends through the glades for a long time, popping in and out of the forest.
Near the end of the glades, you'll cross a small creek and see a little spring off to your left. From here, there's a spur leading up to a backpacking camp. It would be a great site to camp on to of a hill near the edge of the glades.
The trail climbs up and down through several hollows and ridges. Soon, it joins an old road that leads by an old quarry site.
After crossing a park service road, the trail descends a little bit before popping out on the bluffs above the Big River.
After a nice stroll on the bluffs, the trail makes a steep descent to the Thunderbird Lodge and camp store.
From the Thunderbird Lodge, cross the parking lot and start on the 1,000 Steps Trail. The first stretch is flat in the bottomland, but soon starts up. You'll know why the name was chosen as you climb up the stone steps placed by the hardworking C.C.C. men.
Midway up the hill, you come to a short spur leading to a C.C.C. built shelter on the bluff. Take the spur and enjoy the views from the stone shelter.
From the shelter, the trail climbs a little more and is mostly level along the top of the hill. You'll hike behind the visitor center and can take the short trail back to the parking lot where you began your hike.
The 1,000 Steps Trail
The 1,000 Steps Trail is the shortest hike in Washington State Park, but still packs a tons of scenery in its 1.5 mile loop. The trail starts out in the bottomlands, but quickly climbs up hundreds of stone steps placed by the C.C.C. They also built a nice stone shelter halfway up the hill. Once you reach the top of the hill, it's an easy walk along until you make another steep, stair-stepped descent back to the bottomlands. A flat walk finishes the loop.
Length- 1.5 mile loop
Difficulty- Hard
Scenery- 4 Stars
Length- 1.5 mile loop
Difficulty- Hard
Scenery- 4 Stars