Johnson Shut-ins State Park reopens to campers

A Southeast Missouri state park heavily damaged five years ago by the Taum Sauk reservoir collapse is reopened to campers in May.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources began taking reservations in April for camping at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park near Lesterville. The old campground was washed out in December 2005 when the hilltop reservoir owned by power company AmerenUE broke through a retaining wall. Billions of gallons of water rushed through the park. The new camping places are located about a mile from the old campground and opened April 30. Some sections of the park reopened in 2007, including the Shut-Ins, which is a group of natural stone slides in the Black River open for swimming.

The new campground includes basic, electric, sewer/electric/water, equestrian and walk-in campsites plus camper cabins. A campground store is conveniently located for those forgotten necessities and offers free WiFi.

A new boardwalk provides easy access to the shut-ins for viewing or swimming. Visitors can also access the East Fork of the Black River at various locations throughout the park for swimming, wading or fishing. At the north picnic area, there is easy access to the river and a gravel bar. Pets, food and disposable containers are not allowed on the trail to the shut-ins.

The Black River Center, built in the day-use area of the park, opened May 22, 2010. The center features interpretive exhibits, meeting rooms and a small retail area.

(Sources: Associate Press, mostateparks.com)

IF YOU GO

The southern area of the park containing the shut-ins is considered a limited access area. The parking area to access the shut-ins has a 100-car capacity for its day-use customers. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the parking lot normally reaches capacity by 10 a.m. so plan to arrive early. The northern part of the day-use area remains available even when the shut-ins parking area has filled to capacity.