Shut-Ins Trail – Johnson Shut Ins Sp

Distance: 2.0 miles Elevation Gain: 300 ft Difficulty: Moderate Type: Loop Surface: Dirt/Rock Activity: Hiking Best Season: Year-round Typical Time: 1-2 hours Fee: $5-8/vehicle Dogs: Yes, on leash Permit: No

Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park contains one of Missouri's most unique natural features - a series of volcanic rhyolite rock formations that confine the East Fork of the Black River into narrow chutes, pools, and slides carved over 1.5 billion years. The park was severely damaged by a dam failure in 2005 but reopened after a $32 million restoration in 2009. The natural water park draws thousands of summer visitors seeking the crystal-clear cold water rushing through ancient volcanic rock formations.