Ha Ha Tonka – Laughing spirit day trip :)

Another beautiful spring day at the Lake of the Ozarks. Time for a slight change of scenery with a quick day trip to Ha Ha Tonka. The castle sits above the Niangua arm of the Lake of the Ozarks – about a 30 minute drive from Laurie Missouri.

The castle was started in 1905 by Robert McClure Snyder, Sr., a Kansas City  businessman who purchased a large track of land with his partner. He decided to call the land he purchased “Ha Ha Tonka” which is an Osage Indian phrase meaning “Laughing Spirit” in reference to the gushing springs. Unfortunately Mr. McClure was killed in an auto accident – one of the first in Missouri – in 1906. The castle was completed by his two sons but was later destroyed by fire in 1942. Only the stone castle walls remain.

Ha Ha Tonka castle – before the fire.

Easy Day Trip and Hike.

After you drive up the winding road to the castle, it’s just a short walk to the top where the ruins are standing. The view from the top of the hill is expansive and beautiful – no wonder why he chose this space for a castle. There are also plenty of hikes and interesting landmarks in Ha Ha Tonka State Park.

Just a short drive from Camdenton Missouri – definitely worth a trip!