In the northeast corner of Missouri in Lewis County is Wakonda State Park. The park is right off of highway 61, making it ideal for those driving up along the Mississippi River. The name Wakonda comes from the Osage word “spiritual” and the park is a great way to be in nature. Historically the land was used for extensive mining, which has resulted in a plethora of lakes for visitors to boat, swim, and fish at. The lakes also bring an assortment of migratory birds, making it an ideal area to visit for bird watching. Additionally, the park offers camping, picnicking, biking, and hiking. For those who enjoy hanging out at the beach, Wakonda State Park is an ideal spot. The beach is quite expansive, providing a wide area to set-up your towels, umbrellas, and snacks to just relax. We visited while traversing down from the Quad Cities and had a lovely time stopping off to enjoy the lake views.