Put quite simply, Missouri is a gorgeous state filled with natural wonder. No matter what time of year it is, you can’t go wrong with a visit to any of the best state parks in Missouri. When planning your next outdoor adventure, give these some consideration!
- Bennett Spring State Park - Dallas, Laclede
Flickr/Missouri Division of Tourism After working up an appetite either fishing or hiking, treat yourself to a meal at the lodge serving generous portions of hearty food from the heartland.
More Information: Bennett Spring State Park
- Castlewood State Park - St.Louis
Flickr/Yinan Chen Back in the early 1900’s, Castlewood boasted dance clubs and the place to go for a good time. Today Castlewood is known for its awesome biking trails.
More Information: Castlewood State Park
- Cuivre River State Park - Lincoln
Flickr/Twitter@NikonHiker Trails through forests and prairies, sinkhole ponds, a gorgeous lake as well as picnic areas and campsites, this gorgeous park has it all!
More Information: Cuivre River State Park
- Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park - MIssouri Ozarks, Reynolds
Flickr/Tim Hamilton An amazing work of nature, Johnson’s Shut-Ins is a popular spot for those wanting to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the various swimming areas, mountain trails, picnic areas and campsites.
More Information: Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park
- Lake of the Ozarks State Park - Camden, Miller
Flickr-Karen Blaha Over 17,000 square acres of all that the Ozarks are known for. A must-do is a lantern lit tour of the Ozark Caverns.
More Information: Lake of the Ozarks State Park
- Sam A. Baker State Park - Wayne
Flickr/Keith Yahl Located in the St. Francois Mountains, this park, named for a former Missouri Governor, is an ideal spot for camping. It features hiking trails, canoeing and a nature center.
More Information: Sam A. Baker State Park
- Taum Sauk Mountain State Park - Iron, Reynolds
Flickr/Randy Watson Find yourself at the top of Missouri! The highest point in the state is in this park. The scenery includes, hickory forests, rocky glades and even a portion of the Ozark Trail.
More Information: Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
- Roaring River State Park - Barry
Flickr/Joseph Sparks Hike one of the seven trails through rugged terrain and find yourself in view of colossal hills above a deep blue spring.
More Information: Roaring River State Park
- Onondaga Cave State Park-Crawford
Flickr/Matt Lehrer Onondaga Cave is a National Natural Landmark, providing guided tours. This park also features the Vilander Bluff which provides a panoramic view of the Meramec River.
More Information: Onondaga Cave State Park
- Montauk State Park - Dent
Flickr/Doc Tharp Located a short drive from St. Louis, this park features varied accommodation choices, including a motel, cabins and a campground.
More Information: Montauk State Park
And that’s not even all of them! Missouri has over 50 State Parks! What are some of your favorites? Here are more of the prettiest parks in Missouri to visit.
Flickr/Missouri Division of Tourism
After working up an appetite either fishing or hiking, treat yourself to a meal at the lodge serving generous portions of hearty food from the heartland.
More Information: Bennett Spring State Park
Flickr/Yinan Chen
Back in the early 1900’s, Castlewood boasted dance clubs and the place to go for a good time. Today Castlewood is known for its awesome biking trails.
More Information: Castlewood State Park
Flickr/Twitter@NikonHiker
Trails through forests and prairies, sinkhole ponds, a gorgeous lake as well as picnic areas and campsites, this gorgeous park has it all!
More Information: Cuivre River State Park
Flickr/Tim Hamilton
An amazing work of nature, Johnson’s Shut-Ins is a popular spot for those wanting to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the various swimming areas, mountain trails, picnic areas and campsites.
More Information: Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park
Flickr-Karen Blaha
Over 17,000 square acres of all that the Ozarks are known for. A must-do is a lantern lit tour of the Ozark Caverns.
More Information: Lake of the Ozarks State Park
Flickr/Keith Yahl
Located in the St. Francois Mountains, this park, named for a former Missouri Governor, is an ideal spot for camping. It features hiking trails, canoeing and a nature center.
More Information: Sam A. Baker State Park
Flickr/Randy Watson
Find yourself at the top of Missouri! The highest point in the state is in this park. The scenery includes, hickory forests, rocky glades and even a portion of the Ozark Trail.
More Information: Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
Flickr/Joseph Sparks
Hike one of the seven trails through rugged terrain and find yourself in view of colossal hills above a deep blue spring.
More Information: Roaring River State Park
Flickr/Matt Lehrer
Onondaga Cave is a National Natural Landmark, providing guided tours. This park also features the Vilander Bluff which provides a panoramic view of the Meramec River.
More Information: Onondaga Cave State Park
Flickr/Doc Tharp
Located a short drive from St. Louis, this park features varied accommodation choices, including a motel, cabins and a campground.
More Information: Montauk State Park
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Address: Bennett Spring State Park, 26250 MO-64A, Lebanon, MO 65536, USAAddress: Castlewood State Park, 1401 Kiefer Creek Rd, Ballwin, MO 63021, USAAddress: Cuivre River State Park, 678 MO-147, Troy, MO 63379, USAAddress: Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, 148 Taum Sauk Trail, Middle Brook, MO 63656, USAAddress: Lake of the Ozarks State Park, 0170, 403 MO-134, Kaiser, MO 65047, USAAddress: Sam A. Baker State Park, 5580 MO-143, Patterson, MO 63956, USAAddress: Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, Hwy. CC, Middle Brook, MO 63656, USAAddress: Roaring River State Park, 12716 Farm Rd 2239, Cassville, MO 65625, USAAddress: Onondaga Cave State Park, 7556 Missouri H, Leasburg, MO 65535, USAAddress: Montauk State Park, 345 County Rd 6670, Salem, MO 65560, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best State Parks In Missouri April 23, 2021 Leah What are the best outdoor activities in Missouri? With over 50 state parks and a variety of other destinations of recreation in Missouri, there are plenty of options for activities in this state. If you enjoy exploring places full of wildlife, you have a high chance of spotting some at refuges like the Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge near Mound City, Missouri. For a more human-centric exploration, you can check out the ruins of a castle in the Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Camdenton, Missouri. Even if exploring a castle doesn’t sound interesting to you, the park also has many miles worth of trails and some truly stellar lake views. Where are the best places to go camping in Missouri? Nature lovers will enjoy all the camping Missouri has to offer. Some of the most popular campgrounds in the state include the Piedmont Park Campground in Piedmont located right on the lakeshore, Long Branch State Park in Macon with exceptional swimming opportunities in the summer, and Klondike Park in Agusta with the prettiest views you’ve ever seen. We put together an entire list of the best campgrounds in Missouri with those and many others all across the state. What other nature parks in Missouri can I visit? Missouri is full of gorgeous natural areas where you can escape from the hustle and bustle into peace and quiet. The Grand Gulf State Park, located near Thayer, Missouri, is known as the state’s very own Grand Canyon. Some of the canyon walls are 133-feet tall. It’s incredible to see in person. For a summer destination, visit Rocky Falls. This stunning waterfall drops 40 feet into a pool that’s perfect to cool off in. You can’t go wrong with some lovely natural scenery and a refreshing dip!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best State Parks In Missouri
April 23, 2021
Leah
What are the best outdoor activities in Missouri? With over 50 state parks and a variety of other destinations of recreation in Missouri, there are plenty of options for activities in this state. If you enjoy exploring places full of wildlife, you have a high chance of spotting some at refuges like the Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge near Mound City, Missouri. For a more human-centric exploration, you can check out the ruins of a castle in the Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Camdenton, Missouri. Even if exploring a castle doesn’t sound interesting to you, the park also has many miles worth of trails and some truly stellar lake views. Where are the best places to go camping in Missouri? Nature lovers will enjoy all the camping Missouri has to offer. Some of the most popular campgrounds in the state include the Piedmont Park Campground in Piedmont located right on the lakeshore, Long Branch State Park in Macon with exceptional swimming opportunities in the summer, and Klondike Park in Agusta with the prettiest views you’ve ever seen. We put together an entire list of the best campgrounds in Missouri with those and many others all across the state. What other nature parks in Missouri can I visit? Missouri is full of gorgeous natural areas where you can escape from the hustle and bustle into peace and quiet. The Grand Gulf State Park, located near Thayer, Missouri, is known as the state’s very own Grand Canyon. Some of the canyon walls are 133-feet tall. It’s incredible to see in person. For a summer destination, visit Rocky Falls. This stunning waterfall drops 40 feet into a pool that’s perfect to cool off in. You can’t go wrong with some lovely natural scenery and a refreshing dip!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
With over 50 state parks and a variety of other destinations of recreation in Missouri, there are plenty of options for activities in this state. If you enjoy exploring places full of wildlife, you have a high chance of spotting some at refuges like the Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge near Mound City, Missouri. For a more human-centric exploration, you can check out the ruins of a castle in the Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Camdenton, Missouri. Even if exploring a castle doesn’t sound interesting to you, the park also has many miles worth of trails and some truly stellar lake views.
Where are the best places to go camping in Missouri?
Nature lovers will enjoy all the camping Missouri has to offer. Some of the most popular campgrounds in the state include the Piedmont Park Campground in Piedmont located right on the lakeshore, Long Branch State Park in Macon with exceptional swimming opportunities in the summer, and Klondike Park in Agusta with the prettiest views you’ve ever seen. We put together an entire list of the best campgrounds in Missouri with those and many others all across the state.
What other nature parks in Missouri can I visit?
Missouri is full of gorgeous natural areas where you can escape from the hustle and bustle into peace and quiet. The Grand Gulf State Park, located near Thayer, Missouri, is known as the state’s very own Grand Canyon. Some of the canyon walls are 133-feet tall. It’s incredible to see in person. For a summer destination, visit Rocky Falls. This stunning waterfall drops 40 feet into a pool that’s perfect to cool off in. You can’t go wrong with some lovely natural scenery and a refreshing dip!
