Johnson’s Shut-Ins, a favorite St. Louis summer day trip destination has made Travel+Leisure’s top ten list of America’s Best Swimming Holes.

“In summertime, when the mercury taunts the tip of the thermometer like an angry red fist, the best place to cool down is an old-fashioned swimming hole. These often-secluded natural pools are the perfect antidote to crowded pools with zinc-covered teenage lifeguards or water parks with $8 hot dogs. And they offer a dose of not-yet-forgotten Americana, where sunny days are measured by best friends and belly flops.” ~ Alice Bruneau, Travel+Leisure

The shut-ins are a naturally made water park where the East Fork of the Black River twists and turns through a maze of volcanic rock. A new quarter mile paved path leads to the swimming area of the shut-ins.

Nearly 250,000 people visit Johnson’s Shut-Ins each year. The park has restricted access to the southern end of the park where the shut-in’s are located, with a 100 car parking lot for day use. The northern part of the park is unrestricted, with picnic areas, river access and a playground.

The renovation of the park from the 2005 Taum Sauk reservoir breach is now complete. The park looks completely different, so be prepared if you haven’t visited in a while. The new entrance will take you through a boulder field leftover from the billion gallon flood that assaulted the park when the reservoir collapsed. The river has been cleaned up, the board walk rebuilt and the camping area moved to higher ground in a different area of the park. There’s also a new park office and store with an information center to tell visitors about the park’s history. A shuttle service has been set up to take campers from the campgrounds to the boulder field and shut-ins.

Park officials believe the unique (and ominous looking)  ”scour channel” where the flood occurred will be a popular attraction to visitors for many years.

For more information on visiting Johnson’s Shut-Ins:

Johnson’s Shut-In’s Website
Directions and Map
Park Hours
148 Taum Sauk Trail
Middlebrook, MO 63656
573-546-2450

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