Shut-Ins Trail Loop

Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, Missouri

Trip Date: Friday, April 26th, 2019
Last Updated: Wednesday, May 15th, 2019
By Ricky Holzer

Hike Information

Rating ★★★★★(5/5)
Overall Difficulty Moderate
Navigation Difficulty     Easy
Distance 2.3 miles roundtrip
Time 1.75 hours
Terrain Hilly
Best Seasons All
Family Friendly No
Dog Friendly Yes
Accessible Yes

Highlights

Hike Summary

The Ozarks of Southern Missouri offer a welcome scenic change from the relative flatness of the Midwest. In Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, high, rounded hills and the meandering East Fork Black River with pristine water are a calming escape from the noise of St. Louis, just 2 hours north of here. While most people come here to play in the rushing water of the shut-ins, hiking is an excellent way to experience more of the park and the natural beauty contained within. The Shut-Ins Trail is a relatively short but scenic loop that takes you along the river and high on top of an adjacent hill, treating you to tranquil riverside views and hidden waterfalls.

From the parking lot, follow the paved trail as it cuts through the forest until it reaches the East Fork Black River. The path follows the river, and you'll hear the sound of the clear, sparkling water as it rushes over rocks downriver. On the left, you'll pass a few river access stairways if you want to swim -- when the water is high and unsafe, locked gates and fences block entry. Near the end of the pavement, you'll reach a wooden deck that overlooks the rounded rocks of the shut-ins, as pictured below. Note that I visited when the river was extra high, so normally even more rock is exposed here. The accessible portion of the trail ends here, as evidenced by the stairs required to continue.

Green-blue water rushing through the rhyolite of Johnson's Shut-Ins

Green-blue water rushing through the rhyolite of Johnson's Shut-Ins

"Shut-in" seems like a weird descriptor for a geographic feature, but it refers to an area along a river where hard rocks resistant to erosion limit the river's width. You'll understand this better as you climb the stairs at the end of the deck and view the shut-ins from above, as pictured below. The grey cliffs composed of the igneous rock rhyolite create a thin channel, and blockades of rock cause fantastic white rapids and cascades. During times of low water, the slow flow of the river turns this place into a natural waterpark, typically packed with swimmers on hot summer days.

The erosion-resistant cliffs force the river to narrow

The erosion-resistant cliffs force the river to narrow

The stairs continue over the steepest terrain, going up and then down. As the stairs end, the trail begins switchbacking down towards the river. If the water is high, this part can be difficult to follow due to debris covering the trail and flooding in the places closest to the river (one man I met on the trail turned around because he was tired of dodging debris). Nevertheless, you'll enjoy the views of the amazingly clear water.

Later on, the trail bends away from the river back into the forest, and you'll reach a junction with the Ozark Trail. I highly recommend turning left here for a short side trip to the picturesque river view shown below -- this was my favorite spot on the entire hike, and it's a great place to eat a snack and drink water. Turn around after this side trip and continue back on the Shut-Ins Trail.

A spectacular springtime view of the East Fork Black River from the Ozark Trail

A spectacular springtime view of the East Fork Black River from the Ozark Trail

Continue going straight when the Ozark Trail splits off to the left, and the Shut-Ins Trail will start its ascent. As a pleasant surprise on the rocky switchbacks, you may encounter some hidden waterfalls (I assume they're seasonal and present only after heavy rains), as pictured below. The waterfalls are the perfect spots to take a breather as you trudge uphill.

One of the waterfalls hidden on the hillside

One of the waterfalls hidden on the hillside

Reaching the top of the hill is rather anticlimactic since the dense forest limits your views. However, further down the trail a rocky glade reveals the hills on the opposite side of the river, and you may just catch a glimpse through the trees of that beautiful water, as pictured below.

A glimpse of the river from a glade at the top of the hill

A glimpse of the river from a glade at the top of the hill

Past the glade, the trail follows the contours of the hills, keeping the grade mostly flat. At one sharp bend, you may see the waterfall pictured below -- another hidden gem in the forest. The remainder of the trail is uninteresting, but soon you'll start a rocky descent back to the parking area.

Another hidden waterfall on the high part of the Shut-Ins Trail

Another hidden waterfall on the high part of the Shut-Ins Trail

Overall, the Shut-Ins Trail is the perfect introduction to the park and allows you to work up a sweat before a refreshing splash in Missouri's natural waterpark. Connect with me using the social media links below and share your adventures!



Important Information

Dogs are allowed on leash. The path to the shut-ins starts as paved and accessible, but the entire loop is not accessible as evidenced by the stairs you will inevitably encounter at the end of the pavement. While the loop isn't very long, the amount of uphill and the rockiness make it unsuitable for children; instead, stick to the paved path and enjoy swimming around in the shut-ins.

This trail can be enjoyed all year, but know that in times of high water, fences block direct access to the shut-ins so you'll have to view from afar. Most of the trail is in the shade and you'll be able to enjoy swimming after the hike, making this an excellent place to beat the heat. As one of the most popular state parks in Missouri, expect to see plenty of people especially when the weather is warm enough to swim.

Directions

From St. Louis, take Interstate 55 south. Take the exit for U.S. Highway 67 south toward Bonne Terre/Farmington. In Leadington, take the exit for Missouri Highway 32 and turn right. Turn left on Cedar Street (Highway N) in Bismarck and take a slight right ahead to stay on Highway N. Turn right onto Missouri Highway 21, then turn left shortly after back onto Highway N. In about 13 miles, turn left into the park -- note that flags near the entrance will indicate whether or not the shut-ins are open to swimming -- and continue straight through the day use area until the road ends at a parking lot.

Google Maps Directions

Parking, Fees, and Facilities

Parking is free! There is a store with flush toilets and water by the lot and vault toilets a little down the trail.

Nearby Hikes

The rolling green Ozarks from a glade on the Mina Sauk Trail
Taum Sauk Mountain (Missouri State Highpoint) and Mina Sauk Falls Loop
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, Missouri
★★★★☆(4/5)
The elephant rocks and the green forest beyond
Braille Trail Loop
Elephant Rocks State Park, Missouri
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External Links