Ha Ha Tonka State Park — Attraction in Camdenton

Hiked several trails, castle ruins, spring, boat dock. It was a hot one so we opted to do just a couple of hikes. GPS works and will take you to the starting points of each trail and park and hike. We went to the castle ruins and read all the signs to learn the history (if you want to learn more of the history, pick up a Lake of the Ozarks travel Mag it's Free and it will tell you more) beautiful view and amazing birds over head, you can look down at the spring and see the color changes. Hiked down from the ruins to the boat dock and walked along that to look at the lake, lots of rocks and roots could be challenging for some, amazing views (did not see any animals on this trail at this time). Then we drove to the spring trail entrance. Easy parking and the trail begins going down a small wooden deck. You can go either left or right. We went left and there are some blockages because they are restoring some of the erosion so the trail is rerouted in some spots. After hiking through the wooded trails you come to a concrete trail then a deck trail, when crowded with people makes it a bit tight to get through, but is a lovely view and trail. Not stroller or wheelchair friendly (keep in mind). The restoration project to remove the gravel and restore the land from erosion is a wonderful project and our State Parks do a great job as to try to keep this beautiful area alive but some people just suck and do not seem to care about nature and you can see cups and water bottles and some people walk on the area being restored. If you are that kind of person, don't visit nature just stay on your couch. Keep your personal belongings pack away in a back pack as you really do not need it during this part of the hike. It is a shaded area and you can wait to drink your drink or eat your snack. Children should not bring toys to accidently drop on this delicate beauty of nature, that will be trampled on...

When it comes to experiencing the natural beauty of this part of Missouri, Ha Ha Tonka must be part of your itinerary. Of course, the castle ruins provide great photo backdrops and beautiful views. But for me, there is also an opportunity to allow my curiosity to take me back and imagine what it must have been like to be one of those who got to discover this place and decide this would be a good place to build a life. Conquering the terrain and getting the materials from the land must have been truly hard work. But I can appreciate the vision that Snyder had to make a spectacular place for him and his family to experience the bounties offered by the land and crystal clear waters and to live luxuriously yet in harmony in a self made paradise. The true Star in my opinion however is, of course, the spring. We are so lucky that we are provided with the pathways developed by the park so we can explore and appreciate something that is so simple yet so breath taking at the same time. So please take some time out to enjoy this place with your family. All I ask is that you respect the park and others in it and never litter or do anything that will harm the ecosystems and the fragile and vital balance they provide that allow us to experience all of this in the first place. We all leave a footprint. But don't be a lowlife. Take care to ensure your footprint isn't part of a collective that will trample these exceptional environments causing them to become just memories that can only be seen in old photos. Because there's nothing that can compare to...

Wow just wow! We had never been there before. I took my wife 3 adult childr3n and 8 year old grandson. Wearied close to the castle in the upper parking lot. There is a lower parking lot as well with ample parking. The castle ruins were very impressive it was huge with most of the outer walls still standing. It burned completely down in 1947. The man Mr Snyder who built it was realizing a dream. Construction was started in 1905 I believe, it a year later Mr Snyder was killed most interesting enough in a car accident. His sons carried in the construction and it was finished in 1922. It was elegant with no expense spared it had a carriage house and 10 green houses so it could be self sustaining. There are historical places that give more info. There are many trails to hike as well, 2go by the rock quarries where all the stone use to build the castle came from it was cut and hauled by mules on metal and wooden carts. (One of which is still there). We walked down to the lake which was a pleasant .50milr hike with a 6 % slope wasn't bad I'm 60 and in reasonable shape and had no difficulty hiking it down and back. There are many beautiful vistas to take pictures from. We fished the lake as well and caught many fish. I THROUGHLY support any idea you have of visiting Ha Ha...