The meramec river flows by and majestic bluffs, dramatic caves and well groomed trails surround visitors at meramec state park. swim, raft or boat on the meramec, or explore the park on one of its hiking trails. the park’s visitor center offers a large aquarium that shows the diversity of aquatic life found at the park.

Lead has been big business in the eastern ozarks since about 1720. come explore its history – and see the processing plant of the former st. joe lead company – in the heart of the old lead belt at missouri mines state historic site. the mine’s former powerhouse has been turned into a museum that interprets the area’s lead mining history, displays actual machinery from the mines and houses one of the midwest's finest mineral collections.

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.

Explore a geologic oddity – crowley’s ridge – at morris state park. the ridge rises 200 feet above the mississippi river’s floodplain and consists of a strip of low hills ranging from a half-mile to five or more miles wide. the park, which was donated to the state by jim d. morris, consists of unusual soil types and rare plant species. a two-mile loop trail extends through a portion of the ridge and allows visitors to see just how powerful erosion can be.

Nathan boone was a genuine missouri icon – a hunter, soldier, surveyor, and businessman. boone carried his father’s name – he was the youngest son of daniel boone – deep into the missouri wilderness. his last home, preserved at nathan boone homestead state historic site, is now a place to travel back to the 1830s. come explore his home and the cemeteries associated with it and learn more about one of the families that defined early missouri.

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.

The quiet and peaceful hilltop scenery at osage village state historic site only hints at the presence of a village that once housed between 2,000 and 3,000 people living in about 200 lodges. the site features a walking trail and outdoor exhibits that help visitors visualize the village, which was inhabited between 1700 and 1775.

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.

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 250 campsites make the park ideal for multi-day getaways.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Rock island trail state park is a hiking and biking path currently under development. located near the  kansas city area and encompassing parts of the old rock island line, rock island trail state park will curve through gently sloping farmland and woodlands, providing an abundance of recreation and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Solitude reigns in the missouri park system’s largest undeveloped area, the roger pryor pioneer backcountry. the 60,000-acre tract in a remote corner of the ozarks is part of the state’s largest privately owned forest. the backcountry contains nearly 30 miles of trails and includes nearly 15 miles of frontage on the pristine current river. two natural areas in the backcountry add to the solitude hikers will find.

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.

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 lodge with good country cookin’ round out the sam a. baker experience.

Sandy creek covered bridge boasts the picture-perfect appearance of an old red barn. it was one of six bridges built in 1872 to allow passage from the jefferson county seat of hillsboro to st. louis. john h. morse built sandy creek covered bridge using the howe-truss design, named for william howe. howe patented his design in 1840, which featured the use of vertical rods to draw wooden members tight against the top and bottom of the bridge. three of the four remaining covered bridges in missouri were built using the howe-truss design, including sandy creek, burfordville and locust creek covered bridges. 

Sappington cemetery state historic site houses the grave of a prominent area doctor, dr. john sappington, along with two missouri governors. gov. meredith miles marmaduke became missouri's eighth governor for nine months in 1844 after the death of gov. thomas reynolds. claiborne fox jackson, a strong supporter of the confederacy, was beginning his term as missouri's 15th governor when the civil war began and he was driven from jefferson city.

An authentic player piano fills the air with scott joplin melodies as you walk through the modest flat on delmar boulevard that joplin and his wife belle lived in during their time in st. louis. lit by gaslight, the home is furnished as it would have been in 1902 when joplin was composing songs that would make him a national phenomenon. scott joplin house state historic site, which stands as a testimony to his talent and hard work, also includes museum exhibits that interpret joplin’s life. the rosebud café, a reconstructed structure that recreates a turn-of-the-century bar and gaming club, is available for rent.

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.

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 use 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.

The clear waters of stockton lake beckon visitors to water ski, scuba dive, swim, or fish. and stockton state park is the perfect place to do it. it’s a perfect place for sailing – with perpetual southwest breeze and a nationally recognized sailing school housed at the marina. two boat launches make it easy to get in the water, as does a swimming beach. want to stay on land? the park is great for photographing wildlife, picnicking with the family, or just reveling in the beauty of southern missouri. the park also offers a range of lodging from campsites to cabins.

Nestled in the oak and hickory trees that surround table rock lake, table rock lake state park offers something for everyone. camping areas that allow easy access to the lake. a marina that rents all manner of boats. scuba diving excursions. a mountain bike trail. easy access to the branson area and all its entertainment. shelters and picnic areas and a full range of campsites help make table rock state park the ideal place for playing in and around the lake’s clear waters.

Climb to the top of taum sauk mountain state park and be on top of missouri – literally. the park’s 7,500 acres include the highest point in the state. located in the st. francois mountains, the park's hickory forests and rocky glades provide a beautiful, solitary experience for hikers. a series of trails, including a portion of the ozark trail, wind through the park’s picturesque setting and provide awesome views of the surrounding countryside. the park also has a 12-site basic campground, a special use area for non-profit youth organizations, and a picnic area.