Detailed Guide to Ha Ha Tonka State Park (From Our Day Trip)
If you’ve ever dreamed of wandering through castle ruins in the middle of Missouri, you’re not alone… and Ha Ha Tonka State Park delivers. We recently spent a full day exploring this stunning and FREE park, and it blew our expectations out of the water.
From hiking scenic trails and admiring a natural bridge to standing in the shadow of a once-grand stone mansion, our day was filled with stunning overlooks, wildlife sightings, and a lakeside picnic. Whether you’re RVing nearby like we were or just looking for an adventurous stop while road-tripping through the Ozarks, Ha Ha Tonka is an ideal day trip destination.
In this guide, we will walk you through exactly what we did. We’ll also share info on parking, dog-friendliness (Coco approved!), kayak and paddleboard rentals, and where we camped nearby to make the most of our trip.
Let’s dive in!
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Why Ha Ha Tonka Makes a Great Day Trip
If you’re traveling through central Missouri, or staying nearby like we were, Ha Ha Tonka State Park is an easy and rewarding stop to add to your itinerary. It’s packed with unique features that you usually have to visit multiple parks to find: castle ruins, bluffs, a spring, hiking trails, and lake access… all in one spot!
Bonus: It’s completely free to enter Ha Ha Tonka State Park.
That’s right… no park entrance fee or day-use fee. You can just show up and start exploring. For RVers, that’s the kind of budget-friendly adventure that lets you do more without sacrificing experience.
Layout of Ha Ha Tonka State Park
The layout of the park also makes it super flexible. You can park at one trailhead and hike your way through multiple areas, or drive between parking lots to make it a lower-effort trip. Either way, you’re still rewarded with stunning views and interesting sights without needing to commit to a long hike unless you want to.
We visited as a day trip while camping nearby at Ozarks Landing RV Resort (more on that later), and it made for a full and fulfilling day without feeling rushed or exhausting.
Map, Entry, and Parking Tips
Ha Ha Tonka State Park is laid out in a way that makes it easy to navigate whether you’re there for a quick walk or a full-day adventure. From the moment you enter, you’ll find plenty of signage, convenient parking areas, and a helpful visitor center that sets you up for success.
First things first: entry is 100% free!
No reservations, no day-use passes – just pull in and start your adventure. That alone is worth celebrating in our book.
When we arrived, we stopped by the visitor center, and we’re so glad we did. The volunteer there not only gave us a paper map but also marked it up with handwritten notes to help us navigate the park efficiently. It made a huge difference in how we planned our route.
There are several parking lots throughout the park which allows you to drive to the trailhead or area you want to explore, rather than committing to a long loop hike.
Even in our Ram 3500 dually we didn’t run into any issues with parking in May 2025. Most of the lots had plenty of space and were easy to maneuver.
Pro tip: If you want to see the castle ruins, aim to park near the Castle Trail access. Want to relax by the lake or have a picnic? There’s a different lot much closer to the water that makes that super easy too.
Hiking the Trails: Where We Went and What to Expect
Ha Ha Tonka has over 15 miles of trails ranging from paved walkways to moderately challenging wooded paths. During our visit, we stuck to several of the most popular trails—and a couple that were a bit off the beaten path. The variety made it easy to customize our day without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
You can view the official Ha Ha Tonka State Park trail map if you’re planning your own visit. It includes trail lengths, difficulty ratings, and connecting paths.
Castle Trail (Castle & Carriage House Ruins)
This is easily the most iconic trail and area in the park.
It’s a short, paved path that leads you past the Carriage House Ruins and up to the Castle Ruins. These are remnants of a stone mansion that was built in the early 1900s!
Unfortunately, the castle and carriage house burned down in 1942 due to sparks from the chimney catching the roof on fire.
The architecture is unique, especially in the context of a Missouri state park, and the overlook near the castle gives you a beautiful view of the lake and surrounding landscape.
Quarry Trail
This one is a bit more secluded and branches off from the Castle Trail.
It winds through wooded areas with interesting rock features and fewer crowds.
It is a moderate trail and is approximately 1.8 miles.
Natural Bridge Trail
This trail leads you to a massive natural rock bridge tucked into the forest.
The Natural Bridge is only 330 feet from the parking area, but the path is uneven and has several rocks, so it’s not ideal for anyone with mobility concerns.
PS. Did you see our little friend who is camouflaged with the tree?
Even if you have to take the trail a little slower, the payoff is big for such a short walk.
If you want to go on a longer hike, you can actually walk over the top of the bridge!
Spring Trail & Lake Trail
This loop gave us access to the lake and spring area.
Word of caution though: if you choose to walk the full loop, be prepared to climb (or descend) 316 steps!
Alternatively, you can opt for the easier out-and-back option along the paved trail and boardwalks.
Turkey Pen Hollow Trail
Are you looking for a longer hike? If so, this 6.8 mile loop might be the perfect option for you. Since we had Coco with us, we did not make it on this trail but heard it has some pretty views and is more secluded than other hikes in the park.
Kayak and Paddleboard Rentals + Picnic by the Lake
After hiking, there’s no better way to wind down than by the water. If you want to kayak or paddleboard, you’ll need to check in at the visitor center first, but once that’s done, the gear is picked up down by the lake.
Rental Rates:
- One-person kayak: $20 (2 hrs), $30 (4 hrs), $40 (all day)
- Two-person kayak: $25 (2 hrs), $35 (4 hrs), $50 (all day)
- Paddleboard: $25 (2 hrs), $35 (4 hrs), $50 (all day)
The picnic area by the lake was peaceful. We brought our lunch and relaxed here while Coco napped under the table. This was a great way to recharge midday.
The park also has a covered pavilion with picnic tables if you are looking for more shade!
Dog-Friendly and Well-Maintained
One of the best things about Ha Ha Tonka State Park in our opinion? The park is completely dog-friendly as long as your pup is on a leash and we had zero issues bringing her along for the entire day.
She hiked every trail we did, explored the overlooks, and even hung out with us by the lake for our picnic.
Not all state parks are this accommodating when it comes to dogs, so this felt like a huge win for us as full-time RVers who travel with a fur-child.
Beyond that, the park is really well maintained. All of the trails we hiked were clearly marked and in good condition. The grounds themselves were beautiful without feeling overly manicured.
Where We Camped Nearby
While Ha Ha Tonka State Park does have three primitive tent sites, there’s no RV camping within the park itself. Since we live full-time and travel in our fifth wheel, we looked for a nearby campground that would give us easy access to the park. Ozarks Landing RV Resort was perfect for that.
We used it as our basecamp for exploring the area. The drive to the park was easy, even in our dually, and it made exploring Ha Ha Tonka as a day trip completely stress-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ha Ha Tonka State Park located?
The address is 1491 State Road D – Camdenton, MO 65020 and is easily accessible with GPS by typing in the name.
How much does Ha Ha Tonka State Park cost?
$0! It is completely free to enter Ha Ha Tonka State Park.
Is Ha Ha Tonka State Park dog friendly?
Yes! Coco was with us throughout our entire visit at Ha Ha Tonka State Park. Just remember to keep your 4-legged friend on a leash and bring plenty of water.
How big is Ha Ha Tonka State Park?
The park is over 3,700 acres!
When is Ha Ha Tonka State Park open?
April through October:
The park is open daily from 7am to sunset. The Visitor Center is open daily from 10am to 5pm.
November through March:
The park is open daily from 8am to sunset. The Visitor Center is not regularly staffed but are available throughout the park. They monitor the office telephone on weekdays between 8am and 4pm.
Final Thoughts on Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Go! Seriously… plan your trip now.
If you’re looking for a day trip that checks all the boxes (scenic views, unique history, accessible hiking, and a spot to kick back by the water), Ha Ha Tonka State Park absolutely delivers.
Planning a trip to the area? Bookmark this post so you have it handy when you’re mapping out your route. And don’t forget to check out our Lake of the Ozarks Itinerary and full review of Ozarks Landing RV Resort.
