Washington State Park

A visit to Washington State Park is sure to be a memorable experience for anyone. A favorite attraction at the park are the Indian rock carvings. These carvings, or petroglyphs, are believed to have been made around A.D. 1,000 and give clues to the lives of the prehistoric Indians who once inhabited this part of Missouri.

Washington State Park retains many of its original buildings constructed in a rustic architectural style in the 1930s by African-American Civilian Conservation Corps stonemasons. In addition to a lodge, there are quaint stone hiking shelters, a picnic pavilion, and the beautifully laid stone slabs that make up the 1,000 Steps Trail.

The three hiking trails at Washington State Park provide every experience, from an easy stroll with bluff-top views of the river to a vigorous excursion through 10 miles of rugged Ozark terrain. Park visitors also can enjoy camping, fishing and swimming -- in a modern pool, or in the Big River.

Location: Route 2, Box 450, Hwy 21, DeSoto Missouri Telephone 314-586-2995

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