Hiking Rocky Falls Shut-Ins to Klepzig Mill in Missouri
Hiking Rocky Falls Shut-Ins to Klepzig Mill in Missouri
I’m back hiking Rocky Falls Shut-Ins to Klepzig Mill, and this time I completed the hike! I attempted to hike Rocky Falls in winter, but could not complete the hike. It’s rare for a Missouri hiking trail to have three very distinct points of interest throughout the hike, but Rocky Falls to Klepzig Mill lives up to the challenge.
Rocky Falls to Klepzig Mill
Type: Out-and-Back | Rate: Easy/Moderate | Traffic: Light | Distance: 6mi | Elevation Gain: 459ft
One 40ft waterfall, 2 shut-ins, and a historic mill all in one beautiful trail.
View the full route on AllTrails.
The Trail
This 6 mile out-and-back hike begins at the beautiful 40 foot tall Rocky Falls, then travels north alongside Rocky Creek through woodland, open fields, and a shut-ins, before ending at the historic Klepzig Mill, which also features a shut-ins. To add to this trail’s prominence, the trail is featured as part of the Current River Section of the Ozark Trail.
Rocky Falls
Rocky Falls and Klepzig Mill reside in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, which is part of the National Park system. The Ozark National Scenic Riverways was the first national park established to protect a river system, specifically the Current River and Jackson Forks River. Rocky Falls is part of Rocky Creek, which ultimately distributes into the Current River.
Klepzig Mill
Klepzig Mill is a small turbine mill built by Walter Klepzig in 1928, and still stands today. The small wooden structure is open to the public allowing visitors to see the mechanics of a historic sawmill house. Situated along Rocky Creek at another shut-ins, there are remnants of the dam built to help funnel water through cement spillways to the mill itself.
A short walk west on the dirt road leads to an old barn/cellar in a prairie beside the stone foundation of what was presumably a house, based on the still-standing fireplace and chimney. After experiencing the history of Klepzig Mill and the testament it provides to early life in the region, double back on the trail making the 3 mile hike back to Rocky Falls.
More Youtube Hiking Videos
Rocky Falls in Winter
Millstream Gardens to Silver Mines
Hiking Gear List
Long Sleeve Shirt - REI Co-op Midweight Base Layer
T-Shirt - REI Co-op Sahara T-Shirt
Pants - KUHL Renegade Rock Pants
Underwear - REI Co-op Everyday Boxer Briefs
Shoes - The North Face VECTIV Fastpack FUTURELIGHT Hiking Shoes
Pack - REI Co-op Flash 22 Pack
Water Bottle - REI Co-op Nalgene 1L
Headlamp - Petzl Tikka Headlamp
Camera Gear List
Camera - iPhone 14 Pro
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