Bryant Creek State Park just opened this past September and gearing up for a busy spring and summer season.

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With fantastic walking and hiking trails, stunning views, and parts of the park still accessible to visitors, Bryant Creek State Park in Ava, Missouri is made for the adventurous type.

There are two trails so far with more planned on being developed one, named the Pike Hollow Trail, is 4.9 miles long with rocky terrain, and some inclines that may be a bit of those who aren't the best hikers. However, there's another trail that offers a more scenic experience with a waterfall, a variety of plants and wildlife, and a bit less challenging if you're not an experienced hiker (like myself).

Bryant Creek State Park is home to impressively large oaks and shortleaf pines spanning rugged, steeply dissected river hills that front the stream for which it’s named. With over 2,900 acres, the park features many natural attributes, such as almost 2 miles of Bryant Creek frontage.

There are a total of 92 state parks in Missouri covering over 150,000 acres with the Lake of the Ozarks being the biggest in the state. The first state park was established in 1917 with some having important Missouri landmarks.