Thousand Hills State Park, Missouri

Windswept hair, sun-kissed shoulders, sore calves, and dusty boots = the marks of someone who has spent their day at Thousand Hills State Park. Conjuring up the image of thousands of green, rolling hills, soft riverbanks, and huge grass meadows, these scenic lands of northern Missouri are a welcome retreat to explorers, birdwatchers, lake-lovers, and campers. Naturally, there’s marked paths to hike (like the woodsy Red Bud Trail), track to mountain bike (try the Thousand Hills Trail), shores to swim, and the picture-perfect Forest Lake to boat and fish around. Check out the ancient petroglyphs and the lakeside dining lodge while you're at it!