Washington SP Petroglyphs
Washington State Park Hiking Trails

1,000 Steps Trail

    The Basics
  • Type: Hiking
  • Length: 1½ miles Loop
  • Difficulty: Moderate - Strenuous
  • Time: 1 - 1½ hours
  • Requirements: None
    Description
  • Although it is the shortest trail in the park, the 1,000 steps trail is definately not the easiest. Startin at the Thunderbird Lodge, it follows the edge of the large valley next to the Big River for a few hundred yards, before ascending the hundreds of stone steps placed here by the CCC when they built this trail in the 1930's. After climbing the steep hill, you come across another CCC treat, a stone overlook hiking shelter; a great place to take a breather from that exhausting climb! The trail eventually passes by a great petroglyph site before returning back to its beginning.
    Additional Info
  • Camping: No
  • Water: No water on trail
  • Trail Head(s): Thunderbird Lodge parking lot
  • Trail Markings: Yellow Blazes
  • Pets Allowed:
  • Recommended Season:

Opossum Track Trail

    The Basics
  • Type: Hiking
  • Length: 3 miles Loop
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Time: 1½ - 3 hours
  • Requirements: None
    Description
  • This trail has one of the nicest stretches of trail in the entire park. After following a small creek, the trail climbs steeply but shortly, up to behind the swimming pool, then follows a ridge top, slightly paralleling the road to the campground. From there, it makes a short descent, and connects with the Rockywood Trail for the last mile of its journey back to start. This is a great mile, as it follows along the edge of a cliff for a few hundred yards, with the Big River directly below. The trail passes by more cliffs, rocks layers, and a CCC stone shelter before the end.
    Additional Info
  • Camping: No
  • Water: No water on trail
  • Trail Head(s): Picnic Area near Thunderbird Lodge
  • Trail Markings: Blue Blazes
  • Pets Allowed:
  • Recommended Season:

Rockywood Trail

    The Basics
  • Type: Hiking, Backpacking
  • Length: 10 miles Loop
  • Difficulty: Moderate - Strenuous
  • Time: 5 hours - overnight
  • Requirements: None
    Description
  • The longest trail in the park, the Rockywood Trail is also the wildest. It explores the remote, undeveloped western end of Washington State Park, and is great for backpackers. The first mile of the trail follows the same path as the Opossum Track trail, but then breaks off from there. After about a half mile after breaking on its own, a small spur trail leads to the north campground loop. From there, the trail passes through a glade restoration area, then passes by an old homestead. Daffodils are commonly seen here in the spring; a good indicator of an old homesite. Although, the old foundation and small spring are good indicators, too! A spur trail next to the spring leads to the backpack camp. After about another mile and a half, you come to the old CCC camp, where large stone chimneys overlook the camp's old foundations. From there, after about 2 miles or so, you come to the park's largest petroglyph display. It is an expanse of rock covered by a small roof, with signs explaining the petroglyphs. From the petroglyphs, it is only about a half mile or so to the park headquarters. Following beside MO Route 21 from here, the trail joins with the 1,000 steps trail, passes by a second panoramic lookout, the descends down to the Thunderbird Lodge.
    Additional Info
  • Camping: Backpacking
  • Water: No water on trail
  • Trail Head(s): Picnic Area near Thunderbird Lodge
  • Trail Markings: Orange Blazes
  • Pets Allowed:
  • Recommended Season: