Roaring River State Park

Cassville, Missouri

Featured photo by Jimmy Jacobs

Inns, Lodges, Resorts

By Polly Dean

June, 2021

The mission of Missouri’s state park system is to preserve the state’s more outstanding landscapes and landmarks. Additionally, they provide a multitude of outdoor recreation opportunities. It serves a unique role in that it integrates its efforts to provide open spaces and cultural opportunities for its local citizens. Parks provide recreation close to home.

Located in the southwestern corner of Missouri, in the Ozarks, Roaring River State Park is unique and one of the most scenic state parks in the state. Set within a deep narrow valley surrounded by a rugged landscape, it is also one of the most popular.

One of the state’s four trout parks, Roaring River’s trout stockings take place on a daily basis, offering some of the Show Me State’s premier trout fishing. Anglers flock to the park to try and catch a lunker trout.

Emory Melton Inn & Conference Center. Photo by Polly Dean.

Visitors – particularly anglers – at Roaring River State Park, can stay at the Emory Melton Inn and Conference Center or the park’s three campgrounds, in one of the 10 rustic cabins or in the 16 lodging duplexes. The most convenient, however, would be one of the 26 spacious guest rooms in the stone and timber lodge. Situated on a hill near the park entrance, it is an impressive structure. Some rooms feature private balconies with view of the river valley below. The facility is cozy and comfortable with modern touches and décor. It has conference and meeting rooms, as well as a full-service dining room.  

The inn lobby and common area. Photo by Polly Dean.

The restaurant within the lodge, specializing in home-cooked meals, opens at 7 a.m. and remains open until after fishing in the evening. For breakfast they serve eggs the way you prefer them alongside bacon or sausage, as well as lighter fare for those not desiring a hearty breakfast. The kitchen aims to please whether they are preparing fresh fried chicken or country fried steak with gravy. The lodge also caters special affairs, such as conferences, banquets, weddings, family reunions, or any special event.

The restaurant is an ideal place to start the day of fly casting. Photo by Jimmy Jacobs.

Dogs are allowed in a limited number of cabins for an additional fee. Lodge rooms and cabins are available March through October. Reservations are required.

Come visit the Emory Melton Inn & Conference Center and see why Missouri’s state park system has been ranked on multiple occasions, one of the top four state park systems in our nation. Roaring River State Park will satisfy the fisherman as well as the other outdoor lovers in your party. The scenic setting makes everything more fun!