AL GRIFFITH PHOTO
D AY T R I P
Gem The spring at Ha Ha Tonka.
A Missouri Paddling in Ha Ha Tonka Spring Cove
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n 2021, Condé Nast Traveler declared Ha Ha Tonka State Park to be Missouri’s best state park because of its “caves, cerulean blue sinkholes, and a large natural bridge.” Right here at home, visitors know the park’s features also include a deep, fish-rich, no-wake cove known as Spring Cove. The spring feeding the cove is the state’s 12th largest, releasing 56 million
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gallons of that “cerulean blue,” ice-cold water into the Lake daily. It can be seen from overlooks high above, near the castle’s ruins. It can also be seen from a paved walkway at the cove’s head. From there, hikers can ascend 316 steps to other vantage points showing the spectacular waters and vistas for which this park is known and loved. Ha Ha Tonka’s Park Superintendent, Ryan King, is proud to oversee Ha Ha
Story by CONNYE GRIFFIN
Tonka. He recently earned the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) one and only Rock Star Award for his efforts to keep the park open and safe through the challenging days of 2020 and 2021. King notes those days were “exciting,” too. People gravitated to the state’s parks, reacquainting themselves with Missouri’s rich natural gems, excited to be outdoors, but crowds endangered their experience so King col-
