| One of the most beautiful locations at the Lake of | | | | the Ozarks. All of this beautiful scenery is taken in |
| the Ozarks is Ha Ha Tonka State Park. Over 3,679 | | | | while you stand upon a majestic 250 feet bluff. |
| acres of land in the Niangua Arm of the Lake of the | | | | Of course, it is not only the beauty of the area that |
| Ozarks are available for nature lovers of all ages. You | | | | takes Lake Ozarks visitors in when they visit the |
| will have a chance to explore dark caves or travel | | | | state park. The history of Ha Ha Tonka is also |
| down the backcountry hiking trails. You can view | | | | something that makes people interested in the park, |
| castle ruins as you overlook the land below you while | | | | itself. The vision of Ha Ha Tonka was created by |
| standing on a cliff overlooking the lake. If you are a | | | | Robert McClure Snyder around the turn of the |
| nature lover who is visiting the Lake of the Ozarks, | | | | century. Snyder fell in love with the rugged and |
| you will adore Ha Ha Tonka State Park. | | | | simplistic beauty of the area and acquired as much |
| Located five miles directly southwest from | | | | land as he could, which turned out to be around |
| Camdenton, this state park offers so much to do. | | | | 5,000 acres. |
| You will have the opportunity to explore hiking trails | | | | The goal at this point was to transfer this area of |
| that send you to Turkey Pen Hollowland and the | | | | the Lake of the Ozarks into an amazing private |
| Devils Kitchen. In addition to these caves you will see | | | | retreat that was created with the style of European |
| others, as well. If you are looking for a less | | | | castles. Stone masons came from Scotland and |
| adventurous activity during your stay in Lake Ozarks | | | | supervisors of European decent were used to ensure |
| you can enjoy a lengthy picnic with family and friends | | | | authenticity. The main castle was designed as a three |
| in the picnic area or rent one of the shelters for | | | | and a half story mansion that was unlike anything in |
| larger gatherings, such as a family reunion. | | | | the area. |
| Following the Lake Ozarks tradition of outdoor | | | | Sadly, Snyder would never live to see his dream of |
| activity, you will find 15 miles of trails to explore in Ha | | | | the private Ha Ha Tonka resort. While construction |
| Ha Tonka State Park. On these trails, you will | | | | began in 1905, Snyder died in a fatal car crash in |
| become lost in the beauty of the scenery while | | | | 1906. It would take until the 1920s (around the time |
| remaining in awe of the natural wonders that | | | | the Lake of the Ozarks was officially being formed) |
| surround you. From the ruined castle, which was the | | | | for Snyders sons to finish the upper floors of the |
| beginning basis to the Ha Ha Tonka legacy to the | | | | castle. |
| numerous caves, bluffs, sinkholes, and the natural | | | | Later the Snyder sons would spend years trying to |
| bridge, the nature all around you is simply astounding. | | | | keep their fathers dream in the family. Unfortunately, |
| Hikers of all experience levels that are visiting the | | | | in 1942 a fireplace in the castle started a fire that |
| Lake of the Ozarks will appreciate Ha Ha Tonka for | | | | would destroy the castle to its present ruins that are |
| various reasons. The castle, which was destroyed in | | | | viewable today. In 1978, the state of Missouri |
| a fire, but still remains in part today, overlooks the | | | | purchased the land and opened it as a state park. |
| breathtaking Ha Ha Tonka Springs and the Lake of | | | | |