The cool waters of forest lake provide the centerpiece for thousand hills state park, whose woody shores and broad savannas recall a time when northern missouri was far less developed. the lake offers fishing, swimming and boating. the park offers hiking, mountain biking, and abundant opportunities to see wildlife. an interpretive shelter helps visitors understand the petroglyphs left behind by the area’s inhabitants more than 1,500 years ago. the park also offers campsites and cabins for overnight stays.

The cool waters of forest lake provide the centerpiece for thousand hills state park, whose woody shores and broad savannas recall a time when northern missouri was far less developed. the lake offers fishing, swimming and boating. the park offers hiking, mountain biking, and abundant opportunities to see wildlife. an interpretive shelter helps visitors understand the petroglyphs left behind by the area’s inhabitants more than 1,500 years ago. the park also offers campsites and cabins for overnight stays.

Surrounded by some of the most fertile farm land in missouri, towosaghy state historic site is a former fortified village and civil-ceremonial center for the mississippian peoples who lived in southern missouri between a.d. 1000 and a.d. 1400. visitors to the site can see mounds that speak to the site’s past activities and exhibit panels that tell the story of towosahgy through archaeological excavations.

Gain a better understanding of one of the saddest chapters in american history at trail of tears state park, where nine of the 13 cherokee indian groups being relocated to oklahoma crossed the mississippi river during harsh winter conditions in 1838 and 1839. the park’s visitor center tells the tale of the thousands who died on the forced march, as well as the park’s many natural features. the park also has a cheerier side: shaded picnic sites, hiking and horse trails, opportunities to fish in both the mississippi river and lake boutin, and majestic views of the mississippi river and beyond. its location right on the river makes the park one of the best places in missouri for viewing migratory waterfowl.

Union covered bridge, built in 1871, is the only one of the four remaining covered bridges that represents the burr-arch truss design. it served travelers in monroe county for 99 years and is a peaceful spot to visit or stop and relax.  the bridge is located in picturesque northern missouri and is a perfect place for pictures.

Van meter state park features remnants of the missouria indian village that sat at the great bend of the missouri river, marked on a map by jacques marquette and louis jolliet in 1673. a hand-dug earthwork -- old fort -- and several burial mounds lie within the park’s boundaries. the state’s indian history is interpreted in displays and exhibits at the park’s missouri’s american indian cultural center. for outdoor enthusiasts, the park features hiking trails and an 18-acre fishing lake. the boardwalk that leads visitors through the oumessourit natural area takes them over a freshwater marsh and fens, and through bottomland and upland forests. the park’s lofty trees shade picnic sites, picnic shelters and a campground.

The clear water of wakonda state park's six lakes attract thousands of migratory waterfowl each year, making the park a bird lover’s paradise. the lakes also offer anglers a chance to catch largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish. two of the lakes have boat ramps, making it even easier to get into the water. a swimming beach provides a great place to cool off, and campsites make the park a perfect place to stay for awhile.

Less than an hour from kansas city, wallace state park is an island of serenity. visitors can fish or swim in the park’s six-acre lake or hike one of four scenic trails with benches along the way for relaxing. picnic sites that are shaded by trees are scattered throughout and the family-oriented campground includes modern restrooms, hot showers and hot water.

Petroglyphs, quaint hiking shelters and incredible ozark overlooks define the washington state park experience. easy access to the big river makes the park great for swimming or fishing and the park’s three hiking trails address every type of hike, from easy strolls to power hikes. buildings constructed by african-american civilian conservation corps stonemasons complement the park and add to its sense of history.

A 100-acre lake with a paved bicycle path around it, plentiful fishing, a picturesque campground and choice picnic spots make watkins mill state park an ideal place for an afternoon or longer. located near the kansas city area, the park has ample fishing opportunities and an abundance of whitetailed deer and wild turkeys to watch. the park is adjacent to the watkins woolen mill state historic site, a national historic landmark.

Stepping on to the grounds of watkins woolen mill state historic site is like stepping into 19th century pastorale. many of the buildings that waltus watkins spent half a century building – including an elegant home and a three-story woolen mill – have been preserved to give visitors a sense of life in the 1870s. the mill is the only 19th century textile mill in the united states with its original machinery still intact. the site's visitor center offers an introduction to the watkins family and their many business ventures.

Just minutes from the hustle and bustle of kansas city, weston bend state park offers secluded picnic sites, sweeping views of the missouri river from an overlook and from trails, and a scenic overlook accessible to persons with disabilities. a three-mile paved loop trail takes hikers and bikers through the woody terrain and the park also features a campground.