Need a romantic getaway? These 3 Missouri parks rank in America's Top 150 Make-Out Spots

Greta Cross, Springfield News-Leader

Move over Virginia, Missouri just may be the new place for lovers.

Three Missouri parks have been ranked amongst America's Top 150 Make-Out Spots by Dating News, an online news source dedicated to the dating world. Katy Trail State Park ranked No. 71, Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Eminence ranked No. 101 and Mark Twain National Forest between Rolla and Ava ranked No. 147.

Spanning 240 miles, Katy Trail State Park is the longest developed rail-trail in the country. Built on the former corridor of the Missouri-Kansas Texas Railroad, the trail features 26 trailheads between Clinton and Machens, in addition to four fully-restore railroad depots.

The KatyTrail is a 240-mile-long rails-to-trail trek that follows the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad between Clinton and Machens. It largely follows the Missouri River corridor before bending southwest and away from the river near its western terminus.
The KatyTrail is a 240-mile-long rails-to-trail trek that follows the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad between Clinton and Machens. It largely follows the Missouri River corridor before bending southwest and away from the river near its western terminus.

Katy Trail State Park is only open to foot traffic and bicycles. Horses are only permitted between Clinton and Sedalia and Tebbetts to Portland. So if you want the comfort of air conditioning while leaning in for a smooch, you may want to look elsewhere.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Eminence was the first national park dedicated to preserving a river system. The Current and Jacks Fork rivers make up the riverway system. Camping, floating, fishing and swimming are all permitted in the two rivers.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways
Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Now, if you're looking to get away from others for a romantic trip, the 1.5 million acres that make up Mark Twain National Forest may just be the spot. The forest offers more than 750 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and motorized use. More than 350 miles of streams for floating, fishing and swimming are also scattered throughout the forest.

A sign marking the Float Camp Recreation area in the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri.
A sign marking the Float Camp Recreation area in the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri.

"The secluded trails and pristine natural surroundings provide a peaceful escape into nature, ideal for couples seeking adventure and tranquility in a romantic setting," Dating News says about Mark Twain National Forest.

Dating News surveyed more than 3,000 Americans in August to find out which locations are the "most conducive to a bit of automotive erotica." The top 10 locations are:

  1. Hana Highway in Maui, Hawaii

  2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

  3. Pikes Peak Highway in Colorado Springs, Colorado

  4. Lookout Mountain Parkway in Chattanooga, Tennessee

  5. Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia

  6. Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive in Las Vegas, Nevada

  7. The 17-Mile Drive in Monterey, California

  8. South Mountain Park in Phoenix, Arizona

  9. A1A Coastal Highway in Palm Coast, Florida

  10. Rangeley Lake Scenic Byway in Rangeley, Maine

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. She has more than five years of journalism experience covering everything from Ozarks history to Springfield’s LGBTQIA+ community. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Best places to make out? This list includes 3 Missouri parks

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