Rocky Top Trail

The Rocky Top Trail in Lake of the Ozarks State Park offers a delightful journey through diverse Ozark ecosystems. You'll traverse natural surfaces, including dirt and gravel, as the path leads you through native woodlands and up to one of the park's largest dolomite glades. The highlight for many is the stunning vista of the Lake of the Ozarks from dolomite cliffs, providing a picturesque reward for your efforts.

This easy 2.2-mile (3.5 km) hiking route, with a modest 162 feet (49 metres) of elevation gain, is perfect for a quick outing, taking approximately 57 minutes to complete. Parking is readily available at the state park's trailheads. For the best experience and lighting for those scenic lake views, consider starting your hike in the morning.

What makes this trail particularly special is its climb to a significant dolomite glade, an ecosystem actively managed by periodic fires to maintain its natural integrity. Beyond the glade, the trail's varied terrain, including wetland areas and forest, showcases the rich biodiversity of the Ozarks, offering a glimpse into a unique natural landscape.