Park Trails

1,000 Steps Trail

This trail was constructed by Company 1743 of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1936. In fact, most of the outstanding rock work in the park is a result of their efforts, including the large stone steps that give 1000 Steps Trail its name. After climbing the stone steps up through the oak/hickory hardwood forest, you will encounter more of the CCC’s handiwork:  an overlook shelter built into the hillside to resemble a natural outcropping. This stone shelter overlooks the Big River valley and makes a nice resting place after the long climb up the talus slope. Hiking along this trail, you may see wildflowers, native songbirds, frisky squirrels and other small mammals, majestic hardwood trees and abundant dolomite rock outcroppings. This trails also meanders through the 68-acre Washington State Park Hardwood Natural Area, an area of land set aside for protection because of its natural beauty.

This trail is moderately difficult. Along this trail, you will encounter several bridges and stonework that may become slippery, rocks and roots sticking up in the trail’s natural surface, and steep grades traversed by uneven stone steps. You may also notice a number of downed trees along many sections of the trail; these are a result of severe storm damage, and the area will recover as time passes. 

Opossum Track Trail

Opossum Track Trail traverses a section of the 68-acre Washington State Park Hardwood Natural Area, an area of land set aside for protection because of its natural beauty. Along sections of the trail, you may notice depressions in the earth which seem un-natural. Prior to the park’s construction, this area was prospected for a mineral called barite, locally known as tiff. The depressions are the remains of those prospecting operations. Barite is used in the production of drilling mud and paint. As you hike along this scenic trail, you may also enjoy several breath-taking views of the Big River valley, particularly near the Civilian Conservation Corps overlook. The trail meanders through a typical Missouri oak-hickory hardwood forest, abounding with wildflowers, songbirds, native wildlife, majestic trees and trickling water winding its way along an ancient creek bed.

This trail is moderately difficult. Along the trail, you may encounter slippery conditions, rocks and roots sticking up in the trail’s natural surface, steep grades and creek crossings without bridges.

Rockywood Trail

Rockywood Trail provides a glimpse of the other two trails in the park, Opossum Track and 1000 Steps, in that it joins each of these trails for a time as it winds through the park’s oak/hickory forested hills. The trail also traverses a section of the 68-acre Washington State Park Hardwood Natural Area, an area of land set aside for protection because of its natural beauty. 

Several glades are present along the trail, and you may notice evidence of fire in these areas. This is part of an on-going glade management program that has helped restore these glades to their historic nature. This process allows for frequent controlled burns and the removal of invasive cedar trees. In the past, natural fires would sweep through these areas and keep the understory growth (including the cedars) in check. Times have changed, and now park staff control the use of fire to preserve these ancient landscapes. You may spot an eastern collared lizard or Missouri tarantula darting across the trail, or enjoy the beautiful glade wildflowers that now sprout from the rocky terrain each spring. Examples include milkweed, prickly pear cactus, and coneflowers. Rockywood Trail also passes by a quarry (behind the campground) that provided the Civilian Conservation Corps workers with the stone used to build many of the park’s historic structures.

A backpack camp is located about a third of the way along the trail.  No amenities are provided at the camp, and you are asked to “leave no trace” when using the backpack camp. Backpackers should register at the park office or Thunderbird Lodge before beginning their hike; further information on the trail and the backpack camp will be provided upon registration.

This trail is moderately difficult. Along the trail, you may encounter slippery conditions, rocks and roots sticking up in the trail’s natural surface, steep grades and creek crossings without bridges.