Stone: Nature, Trails and History

There are different themes to explore on a trip to Stone: natural areas, hiking trails, waterside recreation and local history. When planning, it helps to understand the specific differences between the options—such as trail length and difficulty, or whether an activity is seasonal.

Camping and natural areas

Table Rock State Park has two campgrounds. They offer basic sites, sites with electricity, and sites with electricity, sewer and water hookups. If you’re considering camping as a separate type of accommodation, you can compare the sites by their available hookups.

Wire Road Conservation Area covers 1,003 acres in northwestern Stone County. Its multi-use trails are designed for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. The area also has a historical connection: a branch of the Cherokee Trail of Tears passed through the conservation area.

Ashe Juniper Natural Area is also in Stone County. It is managed to protect a dry limestone and dolomite woodland dominated by Ashe juniper. The trees in the old Ashe juniper stand have been dated to between 350 and 500 years old. For nature enthusiasts, the area combines a distinctive woodland landscape with the great age of its trees.

Hiking trails by distance and character

The Table Rock Lakeshore Trail follows the shore of Table Rock Lake from the State Park Marina to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Dewey Short Visitor Center next to the dam. It is 2.50 miles each way and rated easy. The White River Valley Trail System is a very different size, at 11.30 miles, and is rated challenging. The White River Valley Trail offers hikers and mountain bikers a challenging experience. Scenic sections include small waterfalls, views of Table Rock Lake and Taneycomo Lake, and an abandoned farm.

When comparing trails, it’s also worth checking how the distance is stated: the distance for the Table Rock Lakeshore Trail is given one way, while the figure for the White River Valley Trail System is the length of the system. Difficulty and scenery provide additional guidance when deciding which hike suits your plans.

Pilot Knob Conservation Area has a 6.6-mile out-and-back hiking trail. It starts at the parking lot on the western edge along Highway 39. Its stated out-and-back format distinguishes this trail from a one-way distance.

Nature programs and waterside activities

At Table Rock State Park, a seasonal naturalist offers programs on plants, animals and ecosystems, as well as nature walks. If you’re planning your trip around one of these programs, check the current program dates. The park’s State Park Marina also rents ski boats and paddleboards. The marina is also the starting point for the Table Rock Lakeshore Trail, making it easy to factor both the trail and the available water activities into your outing plans.

Cave experiences and local history

Talking Rocks Cavern offers guided cave walks along paved concrete paths. Guides explain the cave’s history and geology. With the purchase of a cave ticket, the cavern also offers a nature trail to an observation tower, the SpeleoBox cave play area, Cave Country Mini-Golf, gem panning and geode cracking. Availability of these additional activities may change.

The Y-Bridge in Galena was built in 1926–1927 and became a local landmark. Galena is also associated with a tradition of tourist recreation: inner-tube fishing on the James River and White River grew into a popular activity, and Galena earned a reputation as the “capital of inner-tube fishing.” The bridge represents one part of local history, while the fishing tradition reflects another aspect of the region’s recreational history.

The Stone County Historical/Genealogical Society Museum researches, preserves and shares stories and artifacts about the history of Stone County, Missouri, from before Table Rock Lake. The museum also maintains satellite exhibits in Hurley, Kimberling City, Galena and Reeds Spring. Those interested in the county’s history can visit a museum focused on the region and exhibits in several of the places named above.

Explore more destinations: Indian Point, Branson West, Galena, Kimberling City, Reeds Spring, Lampe, Cape Fair, Phelps.

Back to the main travel overview: Missouri.