Ha Ha Tonka State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ha Ha Tonka State Park |
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The "castle" ruins at Ha Ha Tonka
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 Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Location in Missouri
Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Camden County, Missouri, United States |
| Area | 3,751.74 acres (15.1828 km2) |
| Elevation | 705 ft (215 m) |
| Established | 1978 |
| Visitors | 543,406 (in 2017) |
| Operator | Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Ha Ha Tonka State Park |
Ha Ha Tonka State Park is an awesome outdoor place in Missouri, USA. It covers more than 5,000 acres! You'll find it right on the Niangua arm of the Lake of the Ozarks, about five miles south of Camdenton. The most famous thing here is the cool ruins of an old stone mansion. It looks just like a European castle from the 1500s!
This park also has amazing natural features. You can explore caves, sinkholes, and tall cliffs called bluffs that look out over the lake. It's a perfect example of something called karst topography. This is a fancy way to say the land was shaped by water dissolving soft rocks underground. This creates lots of unique shapes and holes. A special 70-acre part of the park is even called the Ha Ha Tonka Karst Natural Area because it's so unique.
The Story of Ha Ha Tonka Castle
Building the Ha Ha Tonka castle began in 1905. A businessman from Kansas City named Robert McClure Snyder Sr. bought the land after visiting in 1903. He loved the natural springs there. The name "Ha Ha Tonka" is said to mean "big laugh" or "smiling waters," referring to these springs.
Sadly, Snyder Sr. passed away in a car accident in 1906. But his sons, Robert Jr., LeRoy, and Kenneth Snyder, finished the castle in the early 1920s. This was just before the big Stock Market Crash. The Snyder family used the building as a summer and weekend home. They lived in Kansas City most of the time. In the late 1930s, the castle even became a hotel! But in 1942, a fire completely destroyed it.
The state of Missouri bought the castle and its land in 1978. They turned it into a state park and opened it for everyone to enjoy. In 2004, the old water tower was fixed up with a new roof. The castle walls were made stronger in the 1980s. However, a check in 2016 showed that some parts, like the arches, were starting to crumble. Because of this, some areas are now closed off to keep visitors safe. You can still see the amazing ruins from a special viewing spot near the park office.
Things to Do and See
Ha Ha Tonka State Park offers lots of fun activities. There are 15 miles of hiking trails to explore. These trails lead you to cool caves, sinkholes, natural bridges, and, of course, the castle ruins. You can also go boating, fishing, and swimming in the park's waters.
Hiking Trails
As of 2020, the park has 14 different trails for you to discover.
| Trail Name | Description | Length | Notes |
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| Acorn Trail | A moderate hiking trail | 0.9 miles | |
| Big Niangua River Trail | A rough trail for paddling | 13.4 miles | |
| Boulder Ridge Trail | A moderate hiking trail | 1.5 miles | |
| Castle Trail | An easy trail | 0.4 miles |  |
| Cedar Trail | A moderate hiking trail | 0.2 miles | |
| Colosseum Trail | A rugged hiking trail | 0.6 miles | |
| Dell Rim Trail | A moderate hiking trail | 0.3 miles | |
| Devil's Kitchen Trail | A rugged hiking trail | 1.3 miles | |
| Island Trail | A rugged hiking trail | 0.4 miles | |
| Oak Woodland Interpretive Trail | An easy hiking trail | 0.1 miles | |
| Quarry Trail | A moderate hiking trail | 1.7 miles | |
| Spring Trail | A moderate hiking trail | 1.4 miles | |
| Turkey Pen Hollow Trail | A rugged hiking trail | 6.5 miles |
Images for kids
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American Castle Panoramic
