Cool place to see real dinosaur tracks. They’re not the big T-rex tracs, but you definitely see the tracks in the river bed. There is also a great swimming hole in the river here. The dino models are pretty cool for the kids. Plenty of hiking, biking, and picnicing!
The shut-ins are a really cool area of the Black River where incredible rock formations form a virtual bridge across the river. “Water-borne sand and gravel cut deeply even into this erosion-resistant rock, swirling, churning_carving potholes, chutes and spectacular canyonlike gorges,” is the description for the website. A favorite swimming spot, the water can be crystal clear and 15 feet deep or more in the swimming hole. Jumping from the 30 ft high cliff is banned (and not to mention dangerous)…additionally, the Taum Sauk Resevoir broke in December of 2005, flooding much of the valley. The park is undergoing a massive recovery, so swimming is out for a while, but you can still hike. I recommend you check the Recovery Info site.
Great place to get away from the city and stay in a nice cabin by the waterfall. Opportunity for helicopter rides, fishing, or heading on over to sulfer springs for some stinky water.
Kids will enjoy!
One of my favorite places on earth! The reefs in this state park are among the best diving in the US. Molasses reef, the Benbrook wreck, and several others are superb. You can snorkel the reefs as well, but you’ll need a boat to get to them. Boats can be rented at the park HQ. Swimming is available at the park, no boat needed. I’ve seen nurse sharks, manta rays, and more barracuda than I can count. Fish life is amazing! Watch out for mosquitos!!!
