Q

I Want To …

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

  • Third Annual Missouri Preservation Symposium

    Missouri State Parks MO, United States

    5/13/2026 and 5/14/2026 | Joplin, Mo. The third annual Missouri Preservation Symposium will take place in Joplin, Missouri, on Wednesday, May 13, and Thursday, May 14. This event is presented by the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and cosponsored by the City of Joplin, Downtown Joplin Alliance, Missouri Southern State University, the Joplin Historical […]

    $10 – $25
  • St. Louis WOW School

    Missouri State Parks MO, United States

    4/11/2026 to 4/12/2026 | Beaumont Scout Reservation | High Ridge, Mo. Missouri State Parks and Wonders of Wildlife are partnering with a team of agencies to present the St. Louis WOW National Outdoor Recreation and Conservation School. This family event offers recreational activities for beginners to try out with professionals. Come enjoy a beautiful spring […]

    $15 – $25
  • 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
  • Trout Opening 2026

    Missouri State Parks MO, United States

    The opening of the catch-and-keep trout fishing season on March 1 is an important Missouri tradition, marking the beginning of a season that runs until Oct. 31. The season officially begins at 6:30 a.m. at Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Salem, and Roaring River State Park near Cassville. In addition […]

  • First Day Hikes

    Missouri State Parks MO, United States

    Celebrate the beginning of 2026 by taking a guided hike in a Missouri state park or historic site on Jan. 1. Start a new tradition with your friends and family as you get some healthy exercise and enjoy the great outdoors. First Day Hikes are promoted by America’s State Parks and are held throughout the […]

    Free
  • 2025 Holiday Events

    Missouri State Parks MO, United States

    Enjoy one of the many Missouri State Parks events designed to get you into the holiday spirit! Take a candlelight tour, attend a concert, enjoy some holiday treats, or step back in time to discover how the holidays have been traditionally celebrated. Check out the list of events below to find one near you. You […]

    Free
  • Missouri Trails Advisory Board Public Meeting

    Missouri State Parks MO, United States

    11/1/2025 The Missouri Trails Advisory Board will hold its biannual meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 1, 2025. The meeting is open to the public and will be held in person at the Lohman Building, located at 100 Jefferson St., Jefferson City, MO 65101. For more information, call 573-751-0848. Meeting Time: 10:30 a.m.

    Free
  • Kids to Parks Day

    Missouri State Parks MO, United States

    May 17, 2025 Organized by the National Parks Trust, Kids to Parks Day is a nationwide celebration of the great outdoors and is designed to connect kids and families with their local, state and national parks and public lands through thousands of events that promote discovery and exploration in the great outdoors. By discovering and […]

    Free
  • Second Annual Missouri Historic Preservation Symposium

    Missouri State Parks MO, United States

    5/1/25 The Missouri State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), the City of Jefferson and The Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation will host the second annual Missouri Historic Preservation Symposium on Thursday, May 1. The symposium will take place at the Lewis and Clark State Office Building in Jefferson City, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The […]

    $25
  • Trout Opening 2025

    Missouri State Parks MO, United States

    The opening of the catch-and-keep trout fishing season on March 1 is an important Missouri tradition, marking the beginning of a season that runs until Oct. 31. The season officially begins at 6:30 a.m. at Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Salem, and Roaring River State Park near Cassville. In addition […]

  • Historic Preservation Fund Grants Workshop

    Missouri State Parks MO, United States

    The Missouri State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is conducting a virtual workshop on how to apply for its Historic Preservation Fund grants.  The workshop will cover:  Eligible applicants and projects for Historic Preservation Fund grants The grant application process The grant application form Application and project timelines Tips for applicant success Information about our Historic […]

    Free
  • Virtual Panel Discussion: Historic Preservation and Cultural Resource Management Career Paths

    Missouri State Parks MO, United States

    The Missouri State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will conduct a virtual panel discussion on career paths in historic preservation and cultural resource management. It will be of interest to graduate students considering alternative academic careers in history, architectural history or archaeology.  Panelists include: Michelle Diedrich, National Register reviewer, National Park Service Andrew Weil, Director, St. […]