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Joel’s Journal: Onondaga Cave State Park, Missouri
By Joel Raeber
Posted March 2011
 Onondaga Cave State Park is located approximately 70 miles west of St. Louis, Missouri, off I-44 at the Leasburg exit. The park offers a variety of activities, including camping, fishing, hiking, canoeing, and swimming, as well as tours of the namesake cave system.
The campground has 47 electric-water campsites along with basic campsites. Some sites may be reserved in advance by calling the park office (877-422-6766). The campground is open year-round, with electricity available year-round, as well. Hot showers and laundry facilities are available April-October. The campground has a playground and an amphitheater where nature programs are presented during the summer season. The park includes a dump station, electric hookups, playground, grill and fire pits.
Onondaga Cave State Park is located along the Meramec River and has canoeing, picnicking, and hiking trails. The campground is in open country with little shade; however, the sites are level and can accommodate even large RVs. There are also 19 primitive campsites set along the Meramec River, which are perfect for launching canoes. This campground is popular among canoeists so go early to get a spot; it is always crowded and many times full in the summer months.
Missouri is known as the “Cave State,” with more than 5,500 caves, and some of the state's most scenic natural wonders lie beneath the surface. Onondaga Cave is one of Missouri’s finest. Deep underground is a world that water has created: deposits of tall stalagmites, dripping stalactites, active flowstones and many other colorful deposits. Onondaga Cave is a National Natural Landmark, which can be viewed during cave tours, which start at the park visitor’s center.
The cave was discovered in 1886 by a local resident while studying the outlet of the spring that powered a mill built on the Meramec River. With a borrowed boat, several men entered the cavern and spent an entire day exploring the tunnels within the property. Inspired by their adventure, the men acquired the land over the cave and began developing their discovery as the "Mammoth Cave of Missouri."
After several changes of ownership and a long-lasting legal dispute, the cave and surrounding property was acquired by the State of Missouri and officially dedicated in 1982. The cave was also designated as a National Natural Landmark.
The park also has lots of natural beauty to enjoy above ground. Vilander Bluff provides a panoramic view of the Meramec River. Numerous trails follow the river valley, and canoeing and fishing in the Meramec River are enjoyable activities spring through fall. If you want to learn even more, the park's natural resources, above and below the surface, are on display through exhibits at the visitor center.
There are several hiking trails at Onondaga Cave State Park, ranging from the half-mile Blue Heron Trail, which connects the visitor center to the campground to the 3.25-mile Oak Ridge Trail loop. The Blue Heron Trail runs alongside an oxbow lake that formed when the Meramec River cut a new channel and began flowing along a different course. This trail passes by Onondaga Spring, the natural entrance to Onondaga Cave and the site of the old Davis Mill. During the spring and summer months, this trail is decorated with bright orange butterfly weed, wild hyacinth and delicate wild columbine, all of which grow along the bluffs and rocky hillside glades of this trail.
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The Deer Run Trail is a 2.75-mile loop that starts at the amphitheater trailhead in the campground. This trail winds through upland forest and glades and treats hikers to scenic views of the Meramec River from the bluffs along river. The 3.25-mile Oak Ridge Trail loops through the forested hillsides of Onondaga Cave State Park and starts in the campground near campsite 17. This trail leads through upland forest into some glades and across a few wet-weather creeks. Depending on the weather, a number of small waterfalls occur along these creeks.
The Meramec River has a number of popular swimming spots. However, the river is not within the park, and no lifeguard is on duty. Swimming in the fast-flowing river can be difficult, even for experienced swimmers. All swimming is at your own risk.
The word “Meramec” comes from an Indian word for catfish. Along with catfish, there are bluegill, crappie, drum, and smallmouth bass to temp fishermen in the Meramec River. Fishing licenses and bait are not available at the park.
Although a popular canoeing park, canoe rental is not available within the park. Canoes or rafts may be rented from a number of liveries in the area. The canoe launch is located in the picnic grounds downstream from the Meramec River Bridge. A boat ramp is located upstream from the bridge.
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