Taum Sauk Mountain
Taum Sauk Mountain in the Saint Francois Mountains is the highest point in the U.S. state of Missouri at 1772 feet (540 m) above mean sea level. The topology of Taum Sauk is that of a ridge rather than a peak.
Missouri has created a 7448 acre (30 km²) state park on the mountain which has a rustic campground and a paved trail to the highpoint. A lookout tower from which a good view can be had is available to the public; the dense forest on the mountain obscures the view from most other vantage points. This park, the Bell Mountain Wilderness Area, and nearby Johnson Shutins State Park make up part of a large wilderness area that is very popular with hikers and backpackers. The Taum Sauk section of the Ozark Trail is considered by many to be the most scenic and appealing.
Mina Sauk Falls, the highest waterfall in Missouri, are on Taum Sauk and can be visited by hiking a rugged trail that makes a three-mile loop from the highpoint parking area. These fall normally have water cascading over them only during times of wet weather. At other times they are reduced to a trickle or less.