Mozark hiker
Exploring The Missouri Ozarks
The Ozarks: More than just a lake
Although most people think of the Lake of the Ozarks when they hear the word "Ozarks", the Ozarks are much more than a manmade reservoir. The Missouri Ozarks formed over millions of years. The St. Francois Mountains formed through volcanic activity during the Precambrian era, with erosion revealing the igneous core of the ancient volcanic system that we see today. During the Paleozoic Era, sediments were deposited from ancient seas, forming layers of rock. Uplift and erosion during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras sculpted the landscape, creating the hills, valleys, and karst topography of the Ozarks that we see today. Water seeping through the region's limestone caused the development of caves, sinkholes, springs, etc. that are enjoyed by all.