Ha Ha Tonka State Park at a glance
Ha Ha Tonka State Park lies west of Camdenton on the Lake of the Ozarks. You reach it from Highway 54 and Highway D. Entry to the park is free. The park is known for the ruins of a stone mansion, a natural bridge, sinkholes, steep bluffs and a large spring, all in one park.
Free entry to the park does not mean free access to the caves. Almost all caves in the park are closed to visitors. If a cave tour is the reason for your trip, see the guide to Missouri cave tours and treat Ha Ha Tonka as a landscape and hiking stop. Bridal Cave, a short drive away in Camdenton, is the nearest cave you can walk into on a regular tour.
Caves at Ha Ha Tonka: what is open
The rules are short, and they matter.
| Cave | Access | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Island Cave | June 15 to September 15, with a permit | Get the permit at the park office and call ahead |
| River Cave | Closed; a protective grate guards the entrance | View the area from the trails |
| Robbers Cave | Closed | Not a visitor attraction |
| All other caves | Closed | Not a visitor attraction |
For most visitors the answer is simple: plan a hike, not a cave tour. Island Cave is a permit-only option in a three-month window, and you need to call the park office first.
The trail called Devil's Kitchen has a cave-like name, but it tells you nothing about open caves. The grate on River Cave protects sensitive cave animals, so do not try to get past it.
Cave tours and day trips in Missouri
Guided cave tours, Branson tickets and day trips with live prices and availability.
The castle ruins
The stone walls are what most visitors come to see. They are the ruin of a stone mansion from around the turn of the century. People call it the castle, but that is a tourist nickname, not a medieval fortress.
Plan the visit around light and weather. The park has overlooks over wooded hills and a river valley, and early morning can bring haze that softens the view. Bring a camera and ask at the park office about the current state of the paths when you arrive.
The spring and the Natural Bridge
The spring is the other big feature. It ranks as the 12th largest spring in Missouri, with an average flow of 48 million US gallons per day. That is an average, not a daily reading, so what you see on the day can differ from the figure.
The park also has a Natural Bridge, sinkholes and steep bluffs. They belong to the same karst landscape: soluble limestone and dolomite, where slightly acidic water widens cracks over a very long time. That is also why Missouri has so many caves, which the guide to Missouri as the Cave State explains.
Trails at Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Five named trails make up the park's path network.
Castle Trail
The natural first choice if the mansion ruins are your main reason for coming.
Spring Trail
The natural choice if the spring is what you want to see.
Colosseum Trail
Part of the park's own path network. Combine it with another trail for a longer walk.
Devil's Kitchen Trail
Part of the same network. The name does not mean a cave is open along the way.
Island Trail
The fifth named trail. Pick up a current trail map at the park before you set out.
Wear sturdy shoes, because the paths run through rocky, hilly ground. Ask at the park about the walk that fits your time, since route lengths differ.
Swimming near Ha Ha Tonka
There is no designated swimming area at the Lake Shelter, no buoys and no lifeguard. If you enter the lake there, you do so at your own risk. Boat traffic is a real concern, and the spring water is cold. This applies to the lake, and it is not permission to swim in the spring itself.
Plan the rest of your trip
Ha Ha Tonka fits well with other stops near Camdenton.
Ha Ha Tonka State Park: frequently asked questions
Does Ha Ha Tonka State Park charge an entrance fee?
No. Entry to the park is free. A cave permit is a separate matter and is not part of general entry.
Can you go into the caves at Ha Ha Tonka?
Not in general. All caves are closed except Island Cave, which opens only between June 15 and September 15 with a permit from the park office. Call before you go.
Is the castle a real medieval castle?
No. It is the ruin of a stone mansion from around the turn of the century. The name castle is a tourist nickname.
Can you swim at Ha Ha Tonka?
There is no marked swimming area at the Lake Shelter, and no lifeguard. Entering the lake is at your own risk. Swimming in the spring is not covered by this.
How do you get to Ha Ha Tonka State Park?
The park is west of Camdenton. Take Highway 54 and then Highway D.
Is this the official park website?
No. MissouriCaves.org is an independent travel guide. It is not connected to Missouri State Parks, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources or any cave operator.