Taum Sauk Mountain - near Acardia, MO - 1,772.68 feet - Elevation Signs on Waymarking.com

County of park: Iron County
Location of park: MO-CC, west off MO-72, SW of Arcadia

Sign Text:

"Nearly 1.5 billion years ago, this largest mountain and the St. Francois Mountains surrounding it were created by volcanic eruptions which threw hot gas and ashes into the air. This fell and cooled, forming a dense layer of fine-grained igneous rhyolite over a heart of coarse-grained granite. The majority of the Ozarks were once covered in seas which deposited over a mile of sedimentary dolomite and sandstone atop them, and were only created when the Ozarks region uplifted about 250 million years ago.

"On the other hand, Taum Sauk and its closest neighbors are ancient, volcanic, Precambrian uplifts many times older than the Appalachians, and may be among the few areas in the United States never to have been submerged by ancient seas. This volcanic origin can be seen in the many open, rocky expanses called glades that are scattered throughout the park and are home to many desert-adapted plants and animals. Also, prairie plants such as Indian Grass, Little Bluestem, Ashy Sunflower, White Prairie Clover and Rattlesnake Master thrive in the glades and open, carefully burn-controlled woodlands.

"Other natural communities including Oak and Hickory upland forest, flatwoods, savannas and bottomland forest abound in the over 7,500-acre, virtually untamed expanse of wilderness. These diverse communities provide habitats for a range of wildlife from the brilliant red cardinal and sly red fox, to the docile whitetail deer and frisky raccoon. Still, hiking trails and abundant plant and wildlife aren’t the only things Taum Sauk has to offer. The lookout tower, owned by the Missouri Department of Conservation and not part of the State Park proper, is perched above the trees overlooking the valley. Taum Sauk Mountain State Park gives visitors a glimpse of nearly unspoiled wilderness and an opportunity to imagine the world before civilization interfered. ~ River Valley Region Association