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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.

Events

  • Basket Weaving Classes: Shaker Tape Tote

    First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site 200 S. Main St., St. Charles,, MO, United States

    3/13/2026 to 3/15/2026| First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site | St. Charles, MO. Join staff members at First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site to make a beautiful handcrafted basket. This event is part of an ongoing series of basket weaving classes held at the site. Each class takes place in the interpretive center […]

    $60
  • Toddler Tuesday

    Crowder State Park 76 NW Highway 128, Trenton, MO, United States

    3/17/2026 | Crowder State Park | Trenton, MO Looking for a fun activity for your children? Bring your toddlers and other preschool-aged children to the park for one or more of our Toddler Tuesday programs. The spring 2026 programs will be offered each Tuesday from March 17 through the end of April. There will be […]

    Free
  • Stream Monitoring Blitz

    Rock Bridge Memorial State Park 5901 S. Highway 163, Columbia,, MO, United States

    3/21/2026 | Rock Bridge Memorial State Park | Columbia, Mo. Rock Bridge will host its spring 2026 Stream Monitoring Blitz on Saturday, March 21. Everyone age 6 or older is invited to participate in this ongoing citizen science project for the Bonne Femme watershed. Participants will catch aquatic animals, conduct chemical tests to evaluate water quality, and […]

    Free
  • Dark Sky Program

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

    3/20/2026 | 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 Truman State University at the Point Shelter on one or more of the dates listed below to explore the stars and sky above you. The […]

    Free
  • Starry Sky Night

    Onondaga Cave State Park 7556 Highway H, Leasburg, MO, United States

    3/21/2026 | Onondaga Cave State Park | Leasburg, MO. Onondaga Cave State Park is hosting a series of night sky viewing events again in 2026. Join astronomy enthusiast Joe Parish in the visitor center parking lot on one or more of the dates listed below to view the cosmos with a high-powered telescope. These events […]

    Free
  • Learn2 Climb

    Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park 148 Taum Sauk Trail, Middle Brook, MO, United States

    Want to see Missouri State Parks from a new perspective? Join our Learn2 Climb program to learn the basics of outdoor rock climbing safety and technique from a certified instructor, and then try it out on real rock! This beginner-oriented course will allow you to enjoy nature from new heights! The 2026 courses will take […]

    Free
  • Toddler Tuesday

    Crowder State Park 76 NW Highway 128, Trenton, MO, United States

    3/24/2026 | Crowder State Park | Trenton, MO Looking for a fun activity for your children? Bring your toddlers and other preschool-aged children to the park for one or more of our Toddler Tuesday programs. The spring 2026 programs will be offered each Tuesday from March 17 through the end of April. There will be […]

    Free
  • Learn2 Trout Fish

    Missouri State Parks MO, United States

    March 28, 2026 | Roaring River State Park | Cassville, Mo. Have you ever wanted to trout fish but don't know where to begin? Do you want to gain confidence fishing Missouri's trout parks? If so, you’re in luck! Join Missouri State Parks and the Missouri Department of Conservation as we teach the basics of […]

    Free
  • Toddler Thursday: Turtles

    Mastodon State Historic Site 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive, Imperial, MO, United States

    3/26/2026 | Mastodon State Historic Site | Imperial, MO. Come learn, create and play at Mastodon State Historic Site! Our Toddler Thursday programs are designed for toddlers and their grown-ups. Each session focuses on a different topic and includes story time and a craft. These free programs are offered every other Thursday. There is no […]

    Free
  • Earth Day

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

    4/18/2026 | Thousand Hills State Park | Kirksville, Mo. Join us at Thousand Hills State Park to celebrate Earth Day! Come connect with the Earth through unique educational opportunities facilitated by community members! Local organizations will have stations and activities for all ages set up around the beach parking lot and the paved trail, and […]

    Free
  • Toddler Tuesday

    Toddler Tuesdays
    Crowder State Park 76 NW Highway 128, Trenton, MO, United States

    4/28/2026 | Crowder State Park | Trenton, MO Looking for a fun activity for your children? Bring your toddlers and other preschool-aged children to the park for one or more of our Toddler Tuesday programs. The spring 2026 programs will be offered each Tuesday from March 17 through the end of April. There will be […]

    Free
  • Centennial Celebration and Old Mill Days

    Montauk State Park 345 County Road 6670, Salem, MO, United States

    5/8/2026 to 5/9/2026 | Montauk State Park | Salem, MO. Montauk was formally established as a state park in 1926, 100 years ago. To celebrate Montauk’s 100th birthday, the park will be hosting several special events throughout the 2026 on-season. The celebration will begin with Old Mill Days on May 8 and 9. This annual event features […]

    Free