Day Trip

from May/June 2022 Lake Lifestyles magazine

Dining Guide

The spring at Ha Ha Tonka. Paddling in Ha Ha A MissouriGem

Tonka Spring Cove Story by CONNYE GRIFFIN

In 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 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 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-

laborated with the Ha Ha Tonka team. Together, they planned and worked long hours to prevent overcrowding so the maximum number of people could truly enjoy the open-air.

One special open-air opportunity is to see the park from the water. Kayaks are available to rent at Spring Cove. Paddlers will enjoy a peaceful pace, the scent of native plants in bloom, and perhaps a statuesque heron posing on a nearby log. Paddlers will also enjoy toning core muscles and strengthening the upper body.

Benefits from exercise is one reason Superintendent King became a kayak instructor, certified by the American Canoe Association. Park visitors can take advantage of his training for a modest $5 fee. The money reserves a place in Learn to Paddle courses for those who want to know more before venturing out on their own. It also maintains and buys kayaks. Training is not a requirement, however.

One piece of advice King emphasizes is the Lake’s pace. On Saturdays, for example, the cove is busy with boaters coming and going, coving, and fishing. Kayakers will be just one of many using the cove. Traffic is lighter other days of the week.

Ha Ha Tonka also offers stand-up paddle boards. Boards are fewer in number and there is no training for their

Explore Onyx Cave, located about a quarter mile from Ha Ha Tonka. use. A dozen kayaks are available daily. The number available for both boards and kayaks require planning ahead and making reservations.

Paddlers can leave the cove, of course. One destination is the 13-mile Big Niangua River Trail (BNRT), accessible by kayak. Maps online guide paddlers to places motorized boats cannot go. Paddlers can enter Onyx Cave or study the Gauge House once used to measure the height of the river.

Superintendent King invites visitors to see Ha Ha Tonka from the water using the park’s kayak-rental program. Fresh and open air awaits. So do birdsong, the occasional fish slapping the water, and good physical exercise for all ages. From the cove, paddlers will see the castle high above, the tall water tower, and Missouri’s landscape—great state gems for all to gather.