Meramec State Park
Meramec State Park is a 6,896-acre state park owned and managed by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and is located in Franklin County, Missouri approximately 60 miles southwest of St. Louis near Interstate 44 and the City of Sullivan. The Meramec River flows within the park's boundaries, a beautiful, stream-fed waterway that meanders through some of the most scenic outdoor environments found in the Ozarks.
The landscape is characterized by steep forested hills densely forested with pine and various hardwoods, as well as limestone outcroppings rising high above the cool waters of the Meramec. Meramec is named after an Indian tribe that once lived in the area, and the word is thought to mean either "good fish" or "catfish."
Meramec State Park has a lot to offer, from floating and fishing to dining, camping and caving. Many first-time visitors to the park are astounded by the variety of outdoor and indoor activities available. Classic Ozarks-style cabins, modern motel rooms, canoe/raft rentals, casual dining atop the valley, and a fully-stocked store are just a few of the amenities that will ensure the success of your visit.
It's enjoyable to explore the park's trails or waters by kayak or fishing, but the park's real draw is its more than 40 fascinating caves. Fraser Cave, with its stunning stalactites and stalagmites that line its ceiling, is difficult to beat for sheer beauty. At the park's exciting and educational visitor center, guests can learn all about the park's incredible formations as well as the park ecology and environment. To wake up to the park's stunning scenery, many visitors prefer to camp or spend the night in one of the park's lodges.
- Tripadvisor Rating: 4.0/5
- Area: 6,896-acre
- Opening Hours: Daily
- Admission: Free
- Address: 115 Meramec Park Drive, Sullivan, MO 63080
