About the Area
Ha Ha Tonka is one of the best places in Missouri to explore karst geology and high-quality native ecosystems that have been managed with regularly occurring prescribed fire for more than 30 years. Several remarkable geologic formations are scattered throughout the park, including a natural rock bridge, the Colosseum sinkhole, the Whispering Dell sink basin, tall bluffs, Missouri’s 12th-largest spring, and many caves.
The woodlands at Ha Ha Tonka are a magnet for birders and researchers, with the park’s 2,935-acre Ha Ha Tonka Oak Woodland Natural Area serving as the nucleus of the breeding grounds for prairie warblers, yellow-breasted chats, indigo buntings, wild turkey, and a host of neotropical migrants as well as year-round residents. The old-growth post oak and white oak canopy that exists throughout the park serves a wide range of woodland birds, with forest interior species such as wood thrush and worm-eating warblers restricted to the karstic regions such as the Spring Trail and the Colosseum Trail. More than 152 species of birds have been documented from the park in recent years, including waterfowl and belted kingfishers that inhabit Ha Ha Tonka Spring.
From Camdenton, take U.S. Highway 54 south to Highway D. Turn left on Highway D and follow the road into the park.
Dining and lodging accommodations can be found in nearby Camdenton. The picturesque Lake of the Ozarks area is geared toward tourists, making it a great place to spend a weekend. Fine dining, beautiful vineyards, and cozy cafes complement the scenic resorts that line the shores of the lake. The birding in the area is excellent, with several nearby hotspots. Lead Mine CA and Lake of the Ozarks State Park are just some of the great birding areas within a 20-minute drive.