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World’s Largest Coal Shovel in Rich Hill, Missouri

When I first heard about the World’s Largest Coal Shovel in Rich Hill, Missouri I had in my head a giant snow shovel. You know what I mean, a long metal shaft darting high in to the sky attached to a bright red plastic blade big enough for kids to sled down. Instead, I got this:

World’s Largest Coal Shovel in Rich Hill, Missouri

That is far from the vision of the biggest shovel in the world that I had in my head on my Missouri road trip years ago, not at all the world’s largest snow shovel. But the World’s Largest Coal Shovel (also affectionally known as “Big Mouth”) was just as impressive. (And, I suppose, big enough for kids to sled down…or at least crawl in for a touristy photo.)

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip!

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

World’s Largest Coal Shovel in Rich Hill, Missouri

Rich Hill MO, located off Highway 71, was once a coal mining village known as “The Town that Coal Built” so playing home to this roadside attraction is very apropos.

The giant rust-colored dragline excavator, located in a small park at the center of the town, can hold up to 30 tons (60,000 pounds!) with each scoop.

World’s Largest Coal Shovel in Rich Hill, Missouri

While this big scoop tourist attraction is the main draw off the highway, you can also check out a train caboose and a couple of smaller shovels or have a picnic at one of the nearby tables.

World’s Largest Coal Shovel in Rich Hill, Missouri
World’s Largest Coal Shovel in Rich Hill, Missouri
World’s Largest Coal Shovel in Rich Hill, Missouri
World’s Largest Coal Shovel in Rich Hill, Missouri
World’s Largest Coal Shovel in Rich Hill, Missouri
World’s Largest Coal Shovel in Rich Hill, Missouri
World’s Largest Coal Shovel in Rich Hill, Missouri
World’s Largest Coal Shovel in Rich Hill, Missouri
World’s Largest Coal Shovel in Rich Hill, Missouri

If you’re looking for more Missouri roadside attractions nearby to check out on your next road trip, be sure to check out the giant Morel Mushroom in Nevada and the Crapduster in Carthage. Both are worthy stops to add to your itinerary!


Big Mouth – The World’s Largest Coal Shovel

Location: 100 S. 7th St., Rich Hill, MO
Hours: Always Visible
Cost: Free to See


Pin this Missouri roadside attraction:

Big Mouth, the World's Largest Coal Shovel in Rich Hill, Missoui ("The Town that Coal Built") can hold up to 30 tons (60,000 pounds!) with each scoop. Visit this Missouri roadside attraction on a Missouri road trip or vacation. Add this weird roadside attraction to your travel bucket list or vacation itinerary.
#RoadsideAttractions #WeirdRoadsideAttractions #RoadTripStops #RoadTrip #MissouriRoadsideAttractions #MissouriRoadTrip #PlacestoVisitinMissouri #MissouriRoadTripIdeas
Big Mouth, the World’s Largest Coal Shovel in Rich Hill, Missoui (“The Town that Coal Built”) can hold up to 30 tons (60,000 pounds!) with each scoop. Visit this Missouri roadside attraction on a Missouri road trip or vacation. Add this weird roadside attraction to your travel bucket list or vacation itinerary.

VALerie BROMANN

Founder & Head Road Tripper

Val is the founder and head road tripper at Silly America. Having grown up near Berwyn's famed car kabob, The Spindle, and a restaurant with a cow on its roof, her fascination with roadside attractions started early. Today, Val has visited hundreds roadside attractions across the United States and is constantly on the lookout for the next BIG thing!

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip!

BY Valerie Bromann

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

The road trip you’ve been dreaming of starts here! Journal about your stops and get to know your fellow passengers with activities and exercises designed to pass the time and bring you closer together. Instead of “Are we there yet?” you’ll find yourself asking, “We’re there already?”. Complete with prompts you can turn to while driving between locations, this journal will one day be a memento of your life-changing trip.