Take a Hike at Hawn, One of Missouri’s Best State Parks

Missouri has a lot of beautiful state parks, but Hawn is towards the top in scenic value. When I am missing the rushing streams and rugged mountains of hiking destinations out west, this is the spot I like to visit. The towering pine and oak trees combined with the sandy creek bottoms and sandstone rocks make a serene spot to wander.

While many parks in the area only have streams or waterfalls during wet weather, the stunning cascades of Pickle Creek flow year round. Overall, the effect will make you feel like you have stepped into a nature painting.

Spring brings higher creek levels, flowering dogwoods, and blossoming azaleas.

Visit the same spot in fall and you can see the colorful leaves in their glory against the rushing waters.

Hawn State Park Hiking Trails

No matter the time of year, all of the trails at Hawn offer a variety of scenery. There are trails in length from 0.7 miles all the way up to the 10 mile backpacker loop. We like to do a loop by combining the 0.7 mile Pickle Creek Trail with a portion of the Whispering Pines trail. This makes for about a 2 mile hike.

Pickle Creek Trail with Whispering Pines

• Length: About 2 miles, longer if you explore more upstream
• Difficulty: 4 out of 5, trail is rocky and rugged. Pickle Creek portion is mostly flat but the path is very rocky and can be slick when wet. Whispering Pines segment has one moderate uphill climb. Creek crossings may be tricky.
• Scenic Value: 5 out of 5. This is one of the best in the state.

While I normally try to do the uphill portion of a hike first, this trail is one where I break that rule. I like to start with the highlight of the hike by taking the Pickle Creek portion of the hike first. Since we always start our hikes early in the morning, this means I can view and photograph all the cascades before other people arrive. The kids also have plenty of time to splash and throw rocks in the creek without disturbing others.

Starting from the Trailhead

To reach the Pickle Creek Trail, follow the park road almost to the end towards a parking lot on the right. There is a vault restroom here and playground. The trail starts by the sign at the back of the parking area.

The trail starts by passing through a grove of soaring pine trees. Almost immediately the trail draws near to the creek. There are several spots worth stopping to take in the view of the water rushing through the sandstone rocks.

The trail is mostly flat but it is rocky and rugged so step carefully. Sometimes it can be difficult to locate the main trail as there are many social trails leading down to the creek. Keep an eye out for green arrows or use All Trails or another navigation app. As long as you keep working your way upstream without straying too far from the creek, it’s hard to get lost.

The Pickle Creek trail sometimes moves slightly above the creek, but for the most part the creek remains within view.

There are several spots where the creek bank has flat and smooth rocks perfect for water play by both kids and adults alike. The creek bottom is often sandy or smooth rock making for a good wading spot during those hot midwestern summers.

At the 0.7 mile mark, the green marked Pickle Creek Trail ends and an arrow points left across the creek to join the Whispering Pines Trail. However, if you continue a little further along the creek upstream without crossing, there are several more small waterfalls worth viewing and another fun splash spot for kids.

After viewing these falls, you can retrace your steps to the green trail creek crossing spot. While this is the designated creek crossing, I’ve never found this spot to really be the best place to cross. If you back track even a little further, there is a spot where large flat rocks span most of the creek. You can do a little rock hopping or wading, but the water is shallow here and the creek width more narrow as shown in the photo below. Current water levels can determine the best place to cross. If the water is too high or swift, simply make this an out and back hike.

Once on the other side of the creek, climb up the hill along the creek until you join the Whispering Pines trail marked in red blazes. It can be a little confusing but just look up and you should see the path. This is where you will complete the loop by heading left and up away from the creek.

The trail here winds uphill through the forest. After leveling out at the top, there are a couple overlooks of the Pickle Creek valley below. From the last overlook, the trail switchbacks back down the hill towards the creek again.

A couple bridge crossings over the creek and you will be back at the parking area to finish the hike.

Other Hawn State Park Trails

While we usually choose the Pickle Creek and Whispering Pines route, the park has several other trails.

Overlook Trail: This is a short, paved and accessible path only 0.1 mile long. It leads to a valley overlook and is very beautiful in fall.

Whispering Pines Trail: This trail consists of two loops that total about 10 miles. You can do just the red loop or add the blue loop for the full hiking length. There is also a connector path to shorten the trail. This path has several backpacking camping spots to make it an overnight trip.

White Oaks Trail: This 3.8 mile newer trail crosses several wet-weather creeks as it travels through a hardwood and shortleaf pine forest. There are two white connector trails to connect with the Whispering Pines trail.

Spanish Land Grant Trail: This 3.8 mile loop is located outside the main park entrance along Hawn Park Road. The trail crosses wet-weather creeks and includes scenic views of sandstone glades and Pickle Creek. Backpacking is allowed along three campsites on the trail.

Overall Hawn is a park that should on your bucket list if you live in the St. Louis or southeastern Missouri areas. This park is one we enjoy visiting over and over and in all different seasons.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The park entrance is located on Park Drive, New Offenburg, Missouri (at the end of MO-144)
• Park maps can be found on the Friends of Hawn site and the Missouri State Parks Site.
• Any road or trail closures can be found on the website or the GIS status updates.
• An addition to the backcountry camping sites, there is a traditional campground as well.
• The park grounds are open year round 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday
• Dogs are allowed, but must be leashed.
• Always pack out what you bring in and leave the park as you found it.
• Cell service can be spotty. I recommend downloading an offline trail map.

Have you ever been to Hawn?