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Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park

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Park Information

Play in the shallows of the East Fork of the Black River. Shoot through Mother Nature’s hydraulics in the shut-ins. Hike a trail that will show you 1.4 billion years of geologic history. Take your horse on a pretty mountain trail. Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is a jewel of the system, a place with something for everyone: pretty picnic areas, Ozark landscapes, natural places to swim, great campsites.

Park Hours

Valley Day-Use Area
The main park gates open and close at these times.

  • March 1 through the Wednesday before Memorial Day
    8 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily
  • Thursday before Memorial Day through Labor Day
    8 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily
  • Day after Labor Day through Oct. 31
    8 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily
  • November through February
    8 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily

Camper Cabins hours

Open March through December

Gates to cabin area close at 10 p.m. from April through October. 

Store - Black River Center hours

March 1-31
10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Closed Monday through Friday

April 1 through the Wednesday before Memorial Day
10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday
Closed Monday and Tuesday

Thursday before Memorial Day through Labor Day
10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. daily

Day after Labor Day through Oct. 31
10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday
Closed Monday and Tuesday

Nov. 1-30
8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
closed Monday through Friday

Dec. 1 through February
Closed

Store - Campground hours

April 1 through the Thursday before Memorial Day
4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Friday
12:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday
8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Sunday
Closed Monday through Thursday

Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day
8 a.m. - 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. daily

Tuesday after Labor Day through Oct. 31
4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Friday
12:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday
8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Sunday
Closed Monday through Thursday

November through March
Closed

Store - River hours

April 1 through the Friday before Memorial Day
10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Closed Monday through Friday

Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day
10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. daily

Day after Labor Day through Oct. 31
10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Closed Monday through Friday

Nov. 1 through March 31
Closed

Related Content

Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites
May 23, 2013
Fifty years ago, if you had arrived at the natural tunnel in Bennett Spring State Park, you would have seen a lake. Around 1964, a dam created from gravel and silt and reinforced with rebar and concrete blocked the upstream entrance of the natural tunnel. There is no record of how long the resulting lake lasted, but historical accounts state the dam failed after heavy rains, leaving only the portion of the structure seen today at the end of the trail. Walk the Natural Tunnel Trail today and imagine what it would have been like 50 years ago. For more information about this trail, other trails at the park, and all the other things you can do at Bennett Spring State Park, visit mostateparks.com.