Missouri's Abandoned European Castle Hides In The Ozarks With Spectacular Lake Views, Trails, And Mystery

When people think of castles, they usually think about Europe's grandest fairytale castle that inspired Walt Disney. While the most striking of these structures stand proudly in Europe and Asia, the American Midwest hides some stunning, secret ones under dense underbrush. Located in the heart of Missouri's Ha Ha Tonka State Park is a European-style castle known as the Ha Ha Tonka Castle. The state park is about an 8-minute drive from Camdenton along US Route 54, just south of the Lakes of the Ozarks. From Missouri's Kansas City, the drive takes around 2 hours and 40 minutes. Not only does the park have a hidden castle, but it also has gorgeous trails and easy access to lakeside views along the Lakes of the Ozarks.

When construction on this castle began in the early 1900s, the wealthy Robert Snyder likely never would have guessed what would happen to his architectural masterpiece. He commissioned several skilled masons to build a European-style structure that would rival Europe's most beautiful castles. However, a year after construction began, Snyder was killed in one of the first recorded automobile accidents in Missouri. The castle was eventually completed with help from Snyder's sons in 1922.

During this time, the Lake of the Ozarks was a small spring-fed lake. It wasn't until the 1920s that the Bagnell Dam was installed, resulting in the huge Lake of the Ozarks with top-notch fishing and state parks full of scenic camping. The lake divided up the estate, which the Snyder family eventually abandoned. The castle was converted into a hotel lodge until 1940, when chimney sparks caused the entire castle to burn. All that remains today is the outer husk, which guests can visit at the Ha Ha Tonka State Park.

The Ha Ha Tonka State Park was established in 1978, over half a century after the Snyder family finished the castle. Located on the Big Niangua Arm of the Lakes of the Ozarks, this 3,700-acre park offers great opportunities to explore the open water. For kayaks and paddleboards, you can rent one from the Visitor's Center to tour the nearby Niangua River Trail. If you're looking for a motorized boat, you can rent one from the Point Randall Resort to freely explore the Lakes of the Ozarks. This resort also offers a variety of rooms and suites for visitors in case they want to spend multiple days at the gorgeous nearby lakes and state parks.

For visitors who would rather hike, the Ha Ha Tonka park offers 14 different hiking trails, with varying levels of difficulty. The most popular is the Castle Trail, which is about half a mile each way. This paved, upward trail leads to the castle ruins where visitors can admire the views of the lake and the nearby natural bridge.

This park is home to many geological landmarks, such as freshwater springs, sinkholes, caves, and steep bluffs. The Ha Ha Tonka Springs is the 12^th-largest spring in Missouri, with millions of gallons of clear water. You can go for a nature-viewing walk around the spring on its wooden boardwalks. Keep in mind that swimming and fishing in the spring are strictly prohibited. Although this park may not be home to the Ozarks state park with Missouri's highest peak and hidden trails, it holds its fair share of memorable locations and curiosities.