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    Discover Missouri State Parks

    Reserve a Campsite

    Approximately 3,500 state park campsites are available for reservation at 38 different state parks and state historic sites.

    Make a reservation.

    Reserve a Lodging Unit

    Twelve state parks accept lodging reservation through their concessionaires, while five offer reservations through the Centralized Reservation System. Refer to the information below to make a reservation at the park of your choice.

    Make a reservation.

    Find a Job with Missouri State Parks

    We’re looking for people to join our team who love nature and want to care for Missouri’s outstanding natural and cultural resources for all to enjoy! Check out the current list of open positions within our team. Be sure to sign up to receive updates when a new position is available.

    Learn about careers.

    Become a Volunteer

    Do you love Missouri State Parks and the outdoors?

    The Volunteers In Parks (VIP) Program is for everyone: professionals, aging adults, students, teachers, youth and civic groups. VIPs provide invaluable assistance to Missouri State Parks on a wide variety of tasks and projects around the state.

    Learn about the VIP Program.

    Access Park & Historic Site Maps

    Plan your adventure with confidence. View park and historic site maps to navigate trails, facilities, and points of interest across Missouri State Parks.

    View the Park and Site Maps.

    Explore Upcoming Events

    Discover what’s happening in Missouri State Parks. Explore upcoming events that connect you with nature, history, and outdoor adventure through guided hikes, educational programs, and family-friendly experiences.

    View upcoming events.

    Apply for a Grant

    Missouri State Parks administers three federally funded grant programs and one state-funded grant program related to outdoor recreation. It also administers one federally funded grant program related to historic preservation. This page provides basic information about each program.

    Learn about grant opportunities.

    Purchase a Gift Card

    A Missouri State Parks gift card lets you take advantage of a more convenient way to make camping reservations, purchase state park merchandise and give great gifts to your friends. A gift card can be purchased for $10 or more. Physical gift cards purchased online or by phone will be sent by postal mail. Please allow seven to 10 business days for delivery. E-gift cards will sent to the email address on your customer account within 24 hours.

    Get gift cards now.

    Take a Tour

    Visitors to Missouri’s state historic sites have a wealth of experiences awaiting them, from touring Civil War battlefields to seeing the birth sites of Mark Twain and Harry S Truman.

    Find a virtual tour.

    Find a historic site to tour.

    Take a cave tour.

    Purchase an ORV Permit - ORV Riding

    ORV permits can be bought online for up to three days of riding. Riders can purchase their ORV permit before arriving to the park. Permits are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

    Go ORV riding!

    Rent a Watercraft - Paddling

    Watercrafts are available for all-day and half-day rentals. A watercraft agreement will be completed at the park. A driver's license will be obtained by the park office and kept there until all rented equipment is returned.

    Go paddling!

    Reserve a Meeting Space

    Several parks and historic sites offer meeting spaces. Visit the Park Site & Status Map to decide which space is right for you and use the reservation system to stake your claim on your date.

    View the brochure.

    Make a Donation

    By making a donation, you can personally help us preserve and maintain Missouri's 93 state parks and historic sites. With your help, we can continue to provide the many special places across Missouri that preserve our state's most outstanding natural landscapes and cultural landmarks and provide recreational opportunities.

    Make a donation now.

    Bring My Pet to Missouri State Parks

    Responsible pet owners and their pets are welcome in Missouri State Parks. Following are a few simple rules to ensure that you, your pet and other park visitors enjoy the outing. These rules apply to all types of pets except service animals assisting people with disabilities.

    Learn about pet rules.

    Buy Missouri State Parks Merchandise

    Bring a piece of Missouri State Parks into your everyday life! You can browse our complete selection of items together, or you can shop by category.

    Shop now.

    Find the Latest News Releases

    The department's Office of Communications releases notices to the media throughout the day. These news releases are posted to our website as soon as possible. If you have questions about a specific news release, please email or call the department contact listed in the news release.

    View the latest news.

    Thousand Hills State Park

    Events

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    Today

    • Nature Painting Class: Spring Nature

      Thousand Hills State Park 20431 State Highway 157, Kirksville, MO, United States

      5/15/2026 | Thousand Hills State Park | Kirksville, Mo. Thousand Hills is hosting a series of nature painting classes again in 2026. Led by park staff and volunteers, these classes […]

      Free

    • Dark Sky Program

      2026 Astronomy Events
      Thousand Hills State Park 20431 State Highway 157, Kirksville, MO, United States

      5/22/2026 | Thousand Hills State Park | Kirksville, MO. Thousand Hills State Park is hosting a series of dark sky programs again in 2026. Join park staff and representatives from […]

      Free

    • Petroglyph Tour

      Thousand Hills State Park 20431 State Highway 157, Kirksville, MO, United States

      5/24/2026 | Thousand Hills State Park | Kirksville, Mo. Thousand Hills State Park is once again offering guided tours of the park's petroglyphs. Come explore and learn more about these ancient rock […]

      Free

    • Fungal Foray

      Thousand Hills State Park 20431 State Highway 157, Kirksville, MO, United States

      5/31/2026 | Thousand Hills State Park | Kirksville, Mo. Come discover the diversity of fungi that exists within Thousand Hills State Park. During this free event, participants will collect fungi specimens and […]

      Free

    • Nature Painting Class: Sunset on the Lake

      Thousand Hills State Park 20431 State Highway 157, Kirksville, MO, United States

      6/20/2026 | Thousand Hills State Park | Kirksville, Mo. Thousand Hills is hosting a series of nature painting classes again in 2026. Led by park staff and volunteers, these classes […]

      Free

    • WIN: Women in Nature

      Thousand Hills State Park 20431 State Highway 157, Kirksville, MO, United States

      6/27/2026 | Thousand Hills State Park | Kirksville, Mo. Have you ever wanted to explore the great outdoors, but did not know where to begin? Come join us at Thousand Hills State […]

      $20

    • Nature Painting Class: Fall Nature

      Thousand Hills State Park 20431 State Highway 157, Kirksville, MO, United States

      8/29/2026 | Thousand Hills State Park | Kirksville, Mo. Thousand Hills is hosting a series of nature painting classes again in 2026. Led by park staff and volunteers, these classes […]

      Free

    • Nature Painting Class: Winter Nature

      Thousand Hills State Park 20431 State Highway 157, Kirksville, MO, United States

      10/9/2026 | Thousand Hills State Park | Kirksville, Mo. Thousand Hills is hosting a series of nature painting classes again in 2026. Led by park staff and volunteers, these classes […]

      Free

    • Fungal Foray

      Thousand Hills State Park 20431 State Highway 157, Kirksville, MO, United States

      10/11/2026 | Thousand Hills State Park | Kirksville, Mo. Come discover the diversity of fungi that exists within Thousand Hills State Park. During this free event, participants will collect fungi specimens and […]

      Free