Interpretive Loop Trail is a 1.3 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Thayer, Missouri that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
kid friendly
hiking
cave
forest
river
views
waterfall
The Interpretive Loop trail offers four overlooks that show the sights of Grand Gulf sink hole and the remains of the collapsed cave system as well as the remaining cave located in the Grand Gulf sink. The trail's 119 steps allow visitors to view the bottom of the gulf and the wet-weather waterfall. A platform allows you to stop and take in the beautiful view of the gulf. While hiking down the steps look at the bluff next to the steps and check out the different layers of chert and dolomite. Numerous stopping areas are available for enjoying the view as well as resting while coming back out.
Beautiful place. If you catch it when it is dry you can get down under the natural bridge and check out the caves.
Beautiful, family friendly trail! We've visited repeatedly!
One of my favorites in Missouri. We went in September, everything still green. It felt like something out of a movie or video game. Best if you do like another reviewer said and "jump the railing" so you can explore the caves and valley. Not sure if you are really supposed to or not. We had the whole park to ourselves for most of the day. Saw a total of three people on our way out.
A nice trail for families. One of the trails goes down to the bottom of the canyon. You can 'jump' the railing and traverse along the canyon floor to the cave/natural tunnel/bridge.
Amazing place
Beautiful short trail. There is a cave underneath that is possible to go to, but im not sure if youre supposed to
short but very nice
Nice clear path.
short but really nice scenery
Great view
Nice little trail worth the stop if your traveling through. There is steps located near the restroom area that leads down to a small waterfall which is worth the trip. The trail that leads around the collapsed cave has some good scenery, but be cautious. There is some pretty big drop offs.
Not a bad trail. Several scenic views. It is a short trail of .8 mile. The steps that go down to bottom of the canyon are really neat.
This is a very cool place with a couple of short trails that show off this geographic feature that is very unique to the area. The blue trail is a .8 mile trail that loops around the rim of the "gulf" with wooded views of the steep cliffs. The red loop is shorter but offer much better views of this small canyon system. There is even a series of steps that allow you to walk down into the bottom of the feature where there is a cave. At the time of our visit there was a good deal of water in the bottom and there was very cool water coming out of the cave into a small pool.
The depth of the canyon was very impressive by Missouri standards and this is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area. We walked both loops and spent a little over an hour there.
Short hike but is provides views of the collapsed cave not available other wise.
Trail is well marked and is nice for the whole family.
if you live near and havent been here you should check it out.you can see it all in an hour so i wouldnt expect a hiking adventure.
The collapsed cavern created an interesting landscape not found in Missouri elsewhere. I found it interesting but not spectacular. The trail seemed brushy, not picturesque. Did it in the spring before leaves came out, that probably made it less attractive.