Where the waterfalls are in Missouri
Missouri's waterfalls are in the Ozarks, on small streams running over dolomite and granite. Most are short and rain-dependent, though spring-fed ones run all year.
Well-known waterfalls in Missouri
Mina Sauk Falls
Often called the tallest waterfall in Missouri, a series of cascades off Taum Sauk Mountain in Taum Sauk Mountain State Park. .
Grand Falls
A wide fall on Shoal Creek near Joplin, often called the largest continuously flowing waterfall in the state. .
When to go
Spring and after rain. See the best time to see waterfalls for how flow changes by region.
Missouri by the numbers
The map shows 20 named falls in Missouri. 7 of them are in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, the federal register of official place names, and 13 more are named falls mapped only in OpenStreetMap. 2 have a height recorded by OpenStreetMap mappers, which is what the height filter above uses. St. Louis (city)County has the most, with 1.
Tallest recorded waterfalls in Missouri
Heights as recorded in OpenStreetMap, converted to feet. Guidebooks may list different figures, usually because they count every tier of a fall or only the biggest drop. Why heights differ.
| Waterfall | Height | County | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterfall (seasonal) | 10 ft | not recorded | |
| The Falls | 7 ft | not recorded |
Counties with the most waterfalls
From the USGS record, which gives each fall's county.
| County | Named falls |
|---|---|
| St. Louis (city) | 1 |
| Iron | 1 |
| Andrew | 1 |
| Shannon | 1 |
| Newton | 1 |
| Ozark | 1 |
Every named waterfall in Missouri
Alphabetical within each county. Tap a name to centre the map above on it.
Andrew County (1)
Iron County (1)
Newton County (1)
Ozark County (1)
Shannon County (1)
St. Louis (city) County (1)
County not recorded (14)
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Before you go
The map shows where falls are, not whether they are open or safe to reach. Check the land manager, usually a state park or national forest, for closures, fees and permits, and stay on the trail near the water. Our waterfall safety guide covers the hazards, and waterfall hikes near me explains how to pick a trail.
Waterfalls near cities close to Missouri
Every named fall within driving range of the city, nearest first: waterfalls near Fayetteville, AR, waterfalls near Little Rock, waterfalls near Nashville.
Waterfalls in nearby states: Kansas, Illinois, Arkansas, Oklahoma. Or see waterfalls in every state.