5.0Ha Ha Tonka State Park(843 reviews) - Great morning hike but bring water! Spent 1-2 hours State Parks
Imposing architecture and breathtaking scenery combine to make Ha Ha Tonka State Park one of Missouri’s most treasured spots. Located on the Lake of the Ozarks, the park features the stone ruins of a turn-of-the-20th-century castle built by a prominent Kansas City businessman high atop a bluff. More than 15 miles of trails traverse the park, leading visitors to sinkholes, natural bridges, caves and down to the lake.See more..
Located within a short drive of Branson's attractions and entertainment, this lake offers a public marina, boat rentals, parasailing, scuba diving and rides on a 48-foot catamaran. This popular park offers picnicking, camping, a yurt and a mountain biking trail.See more..
5.0Elephant Rocks State Park(366 reviews) - Feel like a kid again while exploring beautiful, giant boulders State Parks
The elephant-shaped boulders at Elephant Rocks State Park may not be the stars of a circus, but these giant granite boulders are the stars of this unusual park in southeast Missouri. An easy way to see the rocks is from the Braille Trail, which was especially designed for people with visual and physical disabilities. The trail winds through the main area of rocks. An extension off the trail leads back to the ruins of an old railroad engine house, a remnant of the area’s quarrying and railroad history. Picnic tables are scattered among the trees and provide inviting spots to have a picnic lunch or rest and enjoy the interesting geologic formations found throughout the park.See more..
Just minutes from Columbia, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park gives visitors the chance to scramble, hike and bicycle through a scenic environment – and lets them peek into Missouri’s underworld. The park contains some of the most popular hiking trails in the state and also offers solitude while hiking in the Gans Creek Wild Area. Visitors can also see a large cave system with its rock bridge, sinkholes, a spring and underground stream at the Devil's Icebox. You can explore Connor's Cave in the light of the opening for a taste of the underground world.See more..
Play in the shallows of the East Fork of the Black River. Shoot through Mother Nature’s hydraulics in the shut-ins. Hike a trail that will show you 1.4 billion years of geologic history. Take your horse on a pretty mountain trail. Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is a jewel of the system, a place with something for everyone: pretty picnic areas, Ozark landscapes, natural places to swim, great campsites.See more..
The valley that cradles Bennett Spring has created a place of peace and recreation that has welcomed generations of enthusiastic anglers. Bennett Spring State Park is one of Missouri’s earliest state parks and continues today to attract fishermen and nature lovers seeking to make new memories. More than 100 million gallons of clear, cool water gush from Bennett Spring each day and form a spring branch stocked daily with rainbow trout waiting for lucky fishermen. Fishing may be the main draw but the park also offers many other amenities such as a dining lodge, campgrounds, cabins and hiking trails. Whether you are a traditional fishing enthusiast or someone seeking a place to relax and refresh, Bennett Spring State Park has what you need to make every trip one to remember.See more..
Fight trophy trout in one of the most breathtaking settings imaginable at Roaring River State Park. The park contains one of the premier trout fisheries in the nation, stocked each night. The natural setting – towering hills above a deep blue spring -- provides a scenic backdrop to adventures. Seven trails cut through the parks rugged terrain, and lodging options from campsites to cabins make Roaring River a place to experience a unique slice of Missouri.See more..
In the early 1900s, the area that’s now Castlewood State Park was a popular retreat for partying St. Louisans. The dance clubs are gone, but the winding Meramec River and the lush valley that surrounds it remain. The park has hiking and mountain biking trails that range from those great for first-time riders to ones that even the most experienced will return to time after time. The park is considered one of the best mountain biking locations in the St. Louis area. Good fishing, broad meadows filled with wildlife, and plenty of recreational facilities make the park a favorite for people who want an adventure or just to get away.See more..
Enjoy the solitude of an undeveloped cove hidden along the shorelines of one of Missouri’s largest lakes. Swim, fish, boat or simply take in the view from a shady campsite or picnic area overlooking the Lake of the Ozarks. The park offers the opportunity to enjoy a variety of recreational activities on the lake, on shore or underground with a tour of Ozark Caverns.See more..
My son and I took his 5 year old daughter on the Meramec float trip. The process was easy with advance reservations. We got a canoe that is really just for 2 but my granddaughter sat on a seat cushion in the middle. From the caverns they give you a bus ride to Meramec State Park where you get your boat and launch. We took about 4 hours to float the 6 miles back to the caverns docking area. The river is beautiful with lots of places to stop to rest, swim, eat or what ever. You must have your boat back by 7 pm or get charged for late fee. The costs to rent are reasonable and the have a variety of different raft/boat options. We would do this again, only taking a raft rather than a canoe. See more..
4.5Montauk State Park(115 reviews) - Life long wish to see montauk. State Parks
Wet a line at one of the Midwest’s premier trout-fishing destinations at Montauk State Park. Located an easy ride from St. Louis, the park’s waters are stocked each night from an on-site hatchery. Want more than day of fishing? Stay overnight at the park’s motel, campground or cabins. Want to do something other than fish? Montauk State Park’s hiking trails will take you in and around the scenic Pigeon Creek basin.See more..
4.5Hawn State Park(115 reviews) - Handsome Hawn State Park State Parks
Hawn State Park is one of the loveliest parks in a system full of lovely parks. Clear, sand-bottomed streams, wild areas ripe with orchids and awe-inspiring views combine to make Hawn a place that Missourians treasure. Geology buffs love Pickle Creek for the number of exposed rock types. Hikers frequent the Whispering Pine Wild Area for its quiet trails with expansive views. Bird watchers flock to the park for its variety of birds. And there are plenty of quiet spaces for people to get away and enjoy the outdoors.See more..
Located in the rugged and scenic St. Francois Mountains, the park features Taum Sauk Mountain, the highest point in the state at 1,772 feet. A hiking trail takes visitors to Mina Sauk Falls, a wet-weather waterfall. The park also offers primitive camping and picnicking.See more..
Just minutes from the hustle and bustle of Kansas City, Weston Bend State Park offers secluded picnic sites, sweeping views of the Missouri River from an overlook and from trails, and a scenic overlook accessible to persons with disabilities. A three-mile paved loop trail takes hikers and bikers through the woody terrain and the park also features a campground.See more..
Gain a better understanding of one of the saddest chapters in American history at Trail of Tears State Park, where nine of the 13 Cherokee Indian groups being relocated to Oklahoma crossed the Mississippi River during harsh winter conditions in 1838 and 1839. The park’s visitor center tells the tale of the thousands who died on the forced march, as well as the park’s many natural features. The park also has a cheerier side: shaded picnic sites, hiking and horse trails, opportunities to fish in both the Mississippi River and Lake Boutin, and majestic views of the Mississippi River and beyond.See more..
4.5Watkins Mill State Park(101 reviews) - We went back for a second day! Historic Sites • State Parks
A 100-acre lake with a paved bicycle path around it, plentiful fishing, a picturesque campground and choice picnic spots make Watkins Mill State Park an ideal place for an afternoon or longer. Located near the Kansas City area, the park has ample fishing opportunities and an abundance of whitetailed deer and wild turkeys to watch. The park is adjacent to the Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site, a National Historic Landmark.See more..
4.5Echo Bluff State Park(96 reviews) - Beautiful state park Spent 2-3 hours State Parks
Echo Bluff State Park is a year-round outdoor destination that is in a spectacular natural setting. Visitors of all ages can fill their days with floating, hiking, swimming or fishing. Modern amenities include an impressive lodge, dining, full-service cabins and a campground. Explore the park on hiking and mountain biking trails.See more..
4.5Route 66 State Park(95 reviews) - Great Park with History Museum State Parks
Travel through history on The Mother Road at Route 66 State Park. Route 66 captured Americans’ imagination and exposed millions of citizens to small towns and different cultures across the country. Sample a slice of that at Route 66 State Park’s visitor center, which has displays showcasing the road. The visitor center is the former Bridgehead Inn, a 1935 roadhouse that sat on the original Route 66. The park’s location, close to metro St. Louis provides visitors with a quick getaway to nature. More than 40 types of birds have been identified in the park and picnic sites are sprinkled throughout the park.See more..
The cool waters of Forest Lake provide the centerpiece for Thousand Hills State Park, whose woody shores and broad savannas recall a time when northern Missouri was far less developed. The lake offers fishing, swimming and boating. The park offers hiking, mountain biking, and abundant opportunities to see wildlife. An interpretive shelter helps visitors understand the petroglyphs left behind by the area’s inhabitants more than 1,500 years ago. The park also offers campsites and cabins for overnight stays.See more..
Looking to take a trip to where something big happened? Try Mastodon State Historic Site. The site is the home of the Kimmswick Bone Bed, one of the most famous and extensive Pleistocene ice age deposits of fossils, including a number of bones of giant mastodons. Interpretative trails and picnic sites dot the landscape and a museum tells the natural and cultural story of the Clovis culture, which existed in the area between 10,000 and 14,000 years ago.See more..
Descend into the depths of Onondaga Cave State Park and drop into a world of wonder: towering stalagmites, dripping stalactites, and active flowstones help make the cave a National Natural Landmark and illustrate why Missouri is often called “The Cave State.” Visitors can take guided tours into the underground wonderland. But if you prefer the surface, the park’s Vilander Bluff Natural Area provides a panoramic view of the Meramec River. Easy access to the Meramec River allows visitors to canoe or fish in a bucolic setting.See more..
The roar of ATVs and off-road motorcycles combines with the peacefulness of rolling hills at Finger Lakes State Park, one of two ATV parks in the state parks system. Built in a former coal mining area, Finger Lakes’ trails and motocross track are popular with users who come for the day, but often fall under the spell of the spacious campground, leafy trees and hilly terrain. The park is also the site of the challenging 2.75-mile Kelley Branch Mountain Bike Trail and a 4.5-mile water trail.See more..
Travel back to simpler days when business in Missouri was about the rushing of a stream over a dam and bridges were covered. Visitors to Bollinger Mill State Historic Site can tour the massive four-story mill that dates to the Civil War era and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Or they can stroll through the Burfordville Covered Bridge, one of just four covered bridges that remain in Missouri. The site’s rustic setting offers ample picnicking and exploration opportunities along the Whitewater River.See more..
4.5Wallace State Park(67 reviews) - Nice trials a day trip from KC State Parks
Less than an hour from Kansas City, Wallace State Park is an island of serenity. Visitors can fish in the park’s six-acre lake or hike one of four scenic trails with benches along the way for relaxing. Picnic sites that are shaded by trees are scattered throughout and the family-oriented campground includes modern restrooms and hot showers.See more..
Cuivre River State Park is a bit of the Ozarks outside of the Ozarks – a nature lovers paradise just a short drive from St. Louis that is vibrant with colors three seasons of the year. The park’s renowned trails take visitors through prairies and forests of oaks and hickories. The park’s three natural areas feature sinkhole ponds and woodlands that would be more at home in southern Missouri. The park has hiking and equestrian trails, modern campsites, group camps, picnic areas and a lake so everyone can enjoy one of Missouri’s most rugged and beautiful jewels.See more..
Generations of Missourians have passed through Dr. Edmund A. Babler’s Memorial State Park's massive stone gateway for cookouts and family get-togethers or to spend time with friends. The park’s camping facilities, Civilian Conservation Corps architecture, and hiking, bicycling and equestrian trails help all visitors find their place to get away from it all, just minutes from St. Louis.See more..
Petroglyphs, quaint hiking shelters and incredible Ozark overlooks define the Washington State Park experience. Easy access to the Big River makes the park great for swimming or fishing and the park’s three hiking trails address every type of hike, from easy strolls to power hikes. Buildings constructed by African-American Civilian Conservation Corps stonemasons complement the park and add to its sense of history.See more..
Looking for a place to get a watersports fix? Long Branch State Park’s three boat ramps provide access to sprawling and picturesque Long Branch Lake. Want to get some fishing in? The park offers some of the best bass fishing in northern Missouri and its swimming beach a is a favorite for families. More than 80 campsites make the park a perfect place for overnight stays. And the park’s native prairie offers peaceful hiking opportunities.See more..
Nestled in the Salt River Hills of north-central Missouri, Mark Twain State Park gives visitors access to sprawling Mark Twain Lake, as well as unparalleled outdoors activities. The terrain is covered by bluffs overlooking the lake and stands of oak, hickory and maple that are filled with white-tailed deer, turkey and other wildlife. Numerous picnic areas, two four-lane boat ramps and more than six miles of hiking trails with lake views offer something for everyone.See more..
The forested ridges and cool hollows of St. Francois State Park offer visitors a retreat from everyday life. Three hiking trails, including one that allows equestrian access, wind through the forested hills and glades of the Coonville Creek Wild Area. Easy access to the Big River makes St. Francois State Park ideal for canoeing and floating and the many shaded picnic sites and two covered shelters make the park perfect for family gatherings. Overnight guests can choose from more than 100 campsites, in campgrounds with modern restrooms, hot showers, and laundry facilities.See more..
4.5St. Joe State Park(53 reviews) - Excellent park. Supports ATV and dirt bikes. Great walking and equestrian trails. Natural and paved. State Parks
The roar of engines breaks the stillness of the Old Lead Belt at St. Joe State Park, one of two off-road vehicle parks in the state system. The sand flats, hills, and 2,000 acres set aside for off-road vehicle trails make the park the premiere off-road vehicle area. The park also features four lakes, with two swimming beaches, an equestrian trail, a hiking and bicycling trail, and picnic sites, as well as two campgrounds capable of accommodating campers with ORV or horse trailers.See more..
It only takes a few minutes to fall in love with Sam A. Baker State Park. The cool waters of the St. Francois River and Big Creek frame a wooded setting with trails that range from easy to challenging. Ancient mountains, towering trees, and fresh air are hallmarks of the park. Rustic cabins, a campground, a separate campground for equestrians, and a store are also features of this scenic park.See more..
A walk in Graham Cave State Park is a walk through ancient history. Artifacts uncovered in Graham Cave revealed that people were living in the cave more than 10,000 years ago. To walk through the park’s 386 acres of trees, trails and streams – including the diverse and scenic Graham Caves Glades Natural Area – is to walk in the footsteps of the hunter-gatherers who lived in the area’s caves during the ancient Dalton and Archaic period. Visitors are allowed in the mouth of Graham Cave, and exhibits detail the life researchers believe early inhabitants lived. The park is a prime hiking location and its campground is perfect for get-togethers when you want to camp in a quiet place. There’s boat access to the Loutre River and all the fishing you could possibly want.See more..
With locations on both the Hermitage and Pittsburg sides of Pomme de Terre Lake, Pomme de Terre State Park offers a little bit of everything. A marina and boat ramps make it easy to get in the water and fish for bass, walleye, catfish, crappie, or muskie. Two public swimming beaches make for great places to cool off or laze the day away. Two hiking trails satisfy an appetite for adventure. And more than 240 campsites, two yurts and a lake house make the park ideal for multi-day getaways.See more..
Knob Noster State Park is a tranquil retreat of open oak woodland with a few patches of prairie along both sides of the meandering Clearfork Creek. It’s a place for fishermen to wet a line, for mountain bikers, hikers and horseback riders to get some trail time, and for families to spend quality time together.See more..
Standing at the point where two of the nation’s mightiest rivers merge, Edward “Ted” and Pat Jones- Confluence Point State Park provides a unique perspective on America. Confluence Point is where Western expansion really began and where the Lewis and Clark Expedition set off on their journey up the Missouri. The park’s wetlands are part of the Mississippi River flyway, making it a great place to see waterfowl, including bald eagles and raptors.See more..
My teenagers and I frequently visit Busiek to walk, hammock, and just enjoy the beauty of nature. It can look very crowded upon entry, but you can quickly find seclusion on the trails. The water is crystal clear and plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the cool water on a hot day. The water is shallow enough to walk across and many people even bring hammocks or chairs to make a day of the visit and dogs are welcome!See more..
4.0Prairie State Park(22 reviews) - Great Bison experience!! State Parks
Tallgrass prairies once covered more than a third of Missouri; today, less than one percent remains, much of it preserved at Prairie State Park. Visitors to the park see panoramic vistas of swaying grass and ever-changing wildflowers. They also may spot an elk or the park’s resident bison herd. The park’s visitor center offers exhibits and interpretive programs designed to inform visitors about the special place.See more..
Wander through a slice of pre-settlement landscape at Pershing State Park. The park includes a boardwalk and hiking trail that winds through a wet prairie near a meandering stream with oxbow sloughs and cutoffs, and into a bottomland forest. The park’s wetlands attract a variety of birds and waterfowl as well as scores of other wildlife species. Locust Creek and four small lakes give anglers a chance to try their skills and a shady campground with electric and basic campsites makes the park an ideal overnight location.See more..
The Meramec River and Calvey Creek bound Roberstville State Park, creating unlimited outdoor opportunities. Boat launches and easy water access make fishing and boating along the peaceful Meramec easy. The park's landscape includes scenic bluffs along the river, and a patchwork of hardwood forests, rich river bottomlands, and clearings that date to when the park was a working farm in the early 1900s. Waterfowl lovers love Robertsville for the diversity of birds that use the park’s waters, and families love Robertsville’s quiet campgrounds and picnic areas.See more..
Crowder State Park provides 1,912 acres in the rolling green hills of northern Missouri. Visitors can enjoy more than 17 miles of hiking, bicycling, backpacking and equestrian trails in a forested, rugged terrain. The park also offers fishing and boating opportunities on 18-acre Crowder Lake. The family-oriented campground includes modern restrooms and shady picnic sites are scattered throughout the park.See more..
Van Meter State Park features remnants of the Missouria Indian village that sat at the Great Bend of the Missouri River, marked on a map by Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet in 1673. A hand-dug earthwork -- Old Fort -- and several burial mounds lie within the park’s boundaries. The state’s Indian history is interpreted in displays and exhibits at the park’s Missouri’s American Indian Cultural Center. For outdoor enthusiasts, the park features hiking trails and an 18-acre fishing lake. The boardwalk that leads visitors through the Oumessourit Natural Area takes them over a freshwater marsh and fens, and through bottomland and upland forests. The park’s lofty trees shade picnic sites, picnic shelters and a campground.See more..
A visit to Big Oak Tree State Park is a visit to Missouri as the first explorers saw it. Towering hickory trees and oaks form a canopy that averages more than 120 feet in height and the soaring trees and marshy terrain translates visitors back to when southeast Missouri was dubbed “Swampeast Missouri.” The trees and wetlands make the park a prime place for wildlife as well as picnic sites and a shelter that are shaded by trees that have seen centuries of history. A self-guided boardwalk trail and an overlook have feature interpretive panels that tell the story of this rich landscape.See more..
Visited the park yesterday and chose to do half of the 4 mile trail; only problem was they had done a prescribed burn the day before and it was very smoky still and even smoldering in some areas. Still it was a nice hike; the park was crowded on this lovely day but once down the trail a bit there werent too many people and everyone was polite about distancing and wearing masks mostly. This trail is paved for a ways but then it gets a bit rocky and more difficult to walk on. Next time we return will try the other trail ; didn't see any of the rock formations pictured. Lots of people had dogs on leashes ; there are some nice views from the high points and some of the trees still had nice fall color, although it is probably past its peak in this area already. I recommend checking out this new-ish Missouri state park!See more..
Cool waters and abundant wildlife make Big Lake State Park a place to get away in northwest Missouri. Visitors can canoe and jet ski on the state's largest oxbow lake that adjoins the park or watch for smooth soft-shelled turtles lazing away the day in the park's marsh. Big Lake is a wetland that migrating birds use as a resting stop, affording bird watchers an unparalleled opportunity to see yellow-headed blackbirds, blue herons, soras and rails. Take advantage of the camping and lodging opportunities while you are there.See more..
Battle of Athens Historic Site is a place of peace and serenity. Its historic buildings, tree-studded landscape, and mile of Des Moines River frontage make the site a perfect place to hike, picnic or camp. But today’s peace belies the site’s history as the place where the most northern battle fought west of the Mississippi occurred, when about 500 Union soldiers repelled nearly four times their number of pro-Southern State Guardsmen. The site includes interpretation and tours of the battlefield as well as a number of historic buildings, including one that was pierced by a cannonball during the battle.See more..
The Lewis and Clark Expedition headed west in 1804 and encountered a lake that William Clark described as “full of Geese & Goslings.” Today, that lake is Lewis and Clark Lake, which is bordered by Lewis and Clark State Park. The park’s broad open spaces make it a favorite for families who take advantage of the scenic picnic areas and playground. Bird watchers come to Lewis and Clark to watch geese, great blue herons, eagles, swans and snowy egrets flock to the oxbow lake throughout the seasons.See more..
Had a blast camping at one of our favorite local parks over the weekend. It was just a quick shakedown but great to be out in the camper. Love all the outdoor activities at Binder. Plus the campground is open year round!See more..
5.0Veterans Honor Park(7 reviews) - This beautiful piece of landscape in the middle of Chesterfield is a treasure unknown to most people on our area. Spent 1-2 hours State Parks
The Veterans Honor Park is a place for families and individuals to gather in honor of veterans. The park, located along the west side of Veterans Place Drive in Chesterfield’s Central Park, was designed to be inviting, uplifting, engaging and safe. Visitors will find opportunities for both educational discovery and contemplative retrospection.See more..
Absolutely beautiful lakeand great to go for a boat ride with friends! There is an awesome place to go camping called "The Camp" just 5 minutes down the road. Love that camp.See more..
