My Corner Online

Photo Index & Map Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 Set 6 Set 7 Set 8 Set 9 Set 10 Set 11 Set 12 Set 13 Set 14 Set 15 Set 16 Set 17 Set 18 Set 19 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 Set 21

Rock Bridge State Park

Rock Bridge State Park is located near Columbia, Missouri, in Boone County. The park is divided and you must drive out to the main roads to go from one parking area to another parking area to find the trails.

We visited on June 17, 2023. We had been here when our sons were young, but it must have been before 2002 when I got my first digital camera. I hope to scan in those photos some day.

In the main entrance to the park we discovered this log cabin at a picnic area.

The most popular trail is the one to the Devil's Icebox and a the Rock Bridge Tunnel (natural bridge) which is 63-foot high and 125-foot long, which is the yellow trail, and the parking lot is off of S Highway 163. Devil's Icebox is a double sinkhole with an underground river flows through Connor's Cave, emerging at the Devil's Icebox Spring. The valley was formed by the collapse of the cave roof between the spring and the rock bridge. It seems Connor's Cave is downstream from the Icebox and requires flashlights and helmets, so we must have missed that. The Devil's Icebox Cave is upstream and is closed to the public. I am not sure we were able to differentiate the caves while we were there. It was a big confusing whether the natural bridge was a cave or a tunnel until now that I read from home.

This is the entrance to the trail. At the other end of the parking lot is the entrance to the

The first bridge that you cross when entering the trail. Almost the entire trail is a board walk.

When you get to a Y in the trail, if you go straight you arrive at the Rock Bridge Tunnel. We went this way and turned around and came back to make the loop on the right to Devil's Icebox. I believe this is the most common path folks take. You can continue on down a trail from the tunnel which might be something we could do if we ever go back.

This is as you approach Rock Bridge Tunnel.

Sometimes I do not like people in my photos, but I embrace it because it gives perspective of how large the tunnel (natural bridge).

The water was down enough that we could walk all the way under the natural bridge to the opening on the other side, although we did get our feet wet. We did have on the proper shoes.

This is a view turned around and looking back out to where you arrive at the end of the boardwalk. To the right is where you can continue on a trail, so if that interests you, be sure to come down the steps and walk across the rocks to find the trail.

Be prepared for lots of steps! I give you permission to rest going up as you need.

This is along the trail to the Devil's Icebox. There is an overlook that looks down and over the Rock Bridge tunnel (natural bridge).

Sometimes there were overlooks and we were not sure what we were looking at.

This is looking down the steps into the Devil's Icebox.

This is looking down into the collapsed cave of the icebox. You can hear voices but not see the people.

Again, the long steps down into the Devil's Icebox. As you begin the descent, you can feel the temperature change.

We we got to the bottom we could see some girls standing inside the collapsed cave. There is a short tunnel to walk through to get there after you go off the bottom step.