OREGON                       132 Grand Gulf

Grand Gulf Natural Area

A 60-acre portion of Grand Gulf State Park about 6 miles west of Thayer in Sections 20 and 29, T22N, R6W, Thayer 15 min. topographic map. Access is by trail from the parking area. Designated July 15, 1986.

Natural Features--Located in the Lower Ozarks Section of the Ozark Natural Division, Grand Gulf is a spectacular collapsed chasm that is three-quarters of a mile long, 50 to 200 feet wide and up to 120 feet deep. A portion of the collapsed cavern's roof remains and forms one of the largest natural bridges in Missouri. Other geologic features include an underground stream, cave, and one of the outstanding Ozark examples of subterranean stream piracy. Interesting terrestrial communities include moist and dry limestone/dolomite cliffs. Grand Gulf Natural Area is owned by the L-A-D Foundation and leased to the Department of Natural Resources. For further information contact the Grand Gulf State Park, Route 1, P.O. Box 1409, Thayer, MO 65791, phone 417/264-7425.

The Narrows, Grand Gulf