Newark MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Newark, Missouri.
1. Smurfwood Trails ATV Park
OFF-ROAD ADVENTURE DESTINATION
Smurfwood Trails ATV Park is a highly-rated off-road destination in Newark, Missouri. The park offers exciting ATV trails for riders of various skill levels to explore and enjoy. Visitors can experience thrilling outdoor adventures while traversing through the natural landscape of northeastern Missouri.
2. Wakonda State Park
SCENIC OUTDOOR RECREATION
Wakonda State Park is a natural retreat located near Newark in northeastern Missouri. The park features six small lakes created by sand and gravel mining operations that now serve as perfect spots for fishing, swimming, and boating. Visitors can also enjoy camping, hiking trails, picnic areas, and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the park's diverse landscape.
3. Ozark National Scenic Riverways
PRISTINE RIVER ADVENTURES
Ozark National Scenic Riverways encompasses 134 miles of the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers in southern Missouri. The park offers pristine waters perfect for floating, fishing, and other water activities in a beautiful natural setting. Visitors can explore springs, caves, and historic sites while enjoying the remarkable biodiversity of the Ozark region.
4. Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site
LITERARY HISTORICAL LANDMARK
Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site preserves the humble two-room cabin where Samuel Clemens was born in 1835. The site includes a museum housing the original cabin and showcasing Twain's life, literary works, and significance to American culture. Visitors can explore exhibits featuring first editions, manuscripts, and personal belongings of the celebrated author and humorist.
5. Hannibal Historic District
TWAIN'S CHILDHOOD TOWN
The Hannibal Historic District preserves the charming riverside town that inspired many of Mark Twain's most famous works. Visitors can explore Twain's boyhood home, the Becky Thatcher House, and other buildings connected to the author's childhood and the characters from his novels. The district offers a glimpse into 19th-century life along the Mississippi River and the environment that shaped one of America's greatest literary figures.
6. Thousand Hills State Park
FORESTED LAKE GETAWAY
Thousand Hills State Park centers around the 573-acre Forest Lake, offering excellent fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities. The park features hiking trails that lead visitors to ancient petroglyphs created by Native Americans who once inhabited the region. Campsites, cabins, and a restaurant provide accommodations for visitors wanting to fully experience the park's natural beauty.
7. Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge
MIGRATORY BIRD HAVEN
Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge is a 3,750-acre protected area located in the Mississippi River floodplain. The refuge serves as an important stopover for migratory birds traveling the Mississippi Flyway, with thousands of waterfowl visiting during spring and fall migrations. Visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing, photography, hunting, and fishing while experiencing the unique wetland ecosystem.
8. Battle of Athens State Historic Site
CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELD
Battle of Athens State Historic Site preserves the northernmost Civil War battlefield west of the Mississippi River. The site commemorates the 1861 clash between Union forces and pro-Southern Missouri State Guard that resulted in a Union victory. Visitors can explore historic buildings from the 19th-century town of Athens, learn about the battle through interpretive displays, and enjoy the scenic Des Moines River setting.
9. Union Covered Bridge State Historic Site
HISTORIC RIVER CROSSING
Union Covered Bridge State Historic Site features one of Missouri's few remaining covered bridges, built in 1871 using the Burr-arch truss design. The 120-foot bridge spans the Elk Fork of the Salt River and served as an important transportation link for nearly a century. Visitors can admire the remarkable craftsmanship of this National Register of Historic Places structure while enjoying the peaceful rural setting.
10. Mark Twain Cave
LITERARY UNDERGROUND ADVENTURE
Mark Twain Cave is Missouri's oldest show cave and features prominently in Twain's Adventures of Tom Sawyer as 'McDougal's Cave.' Tours guide visitors through the labyrinthine passages where Twain himself explored as a child and where his characters Tom and Becky became lost. The cave maintains a constant 52-degree temperature year-round and showcases fascinating limestone formations throughout its winding corridors.
11. Jim's Journey: The Huck Finn Freedom Center
AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE
Jim's Journey: The Huck Finn Freedom Center explores the African American experience in Hannibal and the real-life inspiration for Jim in Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The museum is housed in a historic building and features exhibits on Daniel Quarles, the man who inspired the character of Jim, along with broader African American history in the region. Visitors gain insight into the complex racial themes in Twain's works and the lives of African Americans during the pre-Civil War era.
12. Locust Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site
PRESERVED HISTORICAL ARCHITECTURE
Locust Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site preserves a 151-foot covered bridge that once carried traffic across Locust Creek. Built in 1868, the bridge is the longest of the four remaining covered bridges in Missouri and represents an important example of Howe truss construction. The site offers a glimpse into 19th-century transportation infrastructure and the role these bridges played in connecting rural communities.
13. Long Branch State Park
LAKESIDE RECREATION PARADISE
Long Branch State Park surrounds the 2,430-acre Long Branch Lake, offering extensive water recreation opportunities in northeastern Missouri. The park features a marina, boat launches, swimming beaches, and excellent fishing for bass, crappie, and catfish. Visitors can also enjoy camping, hiking trails, picnicking areas, and wildlife viewing throughout the park's diverse landscape.
14. General John J. Pershing Boyhood Home State Historic Site
MILITARY LEADER'S HERITAGE
General John J. Pershing Boyhood Home State Historic Site preserves the home where the World War I commander spent his formative years. The site includes the Pershing family home, a one-room schoolhouse where Pershing once taught, and a museum detailing his remarkable military career. Visitors can learn about Pershing's journey from rural Missouri to becoming the leader of American forces in World War I and his significant contributions to military history.
15. Shrine of St. Patrick
IRISH HERITAGE LANDMARK
The Shrine of St. Patrick is a beautiful stone church built in 1957 to honor Ireland's patron saint in the aptly named town of St. Patrick, Missouri. The shrine features stunning stained glass windows, imported Irish marble, and a replica of St. Patrick's Bell enshrined in the church tower. Visitors from around the world come to experience this unique spiritual landmark, especially during the annual St. Patrick's Day celebrations.