Here is a wrap up of my recent adventure visiting all of the Missouri State Parks & Historic Sites.
Living in Missouri there may seem like not a lot of options for adventure. But there are many options if you look around. Last Fall (2022) I printed off a National Park map to plan some adventures. But there aren’t many National Parks close enough for a weekend getaway from Missouri. So, I looked a little closer and printed off a Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites map. This had many options for weekend adventures hiking, biking, camping, and more.
I started planning my trek to visit all Missouri State Parks & Historic Sites. My personal criteria for the visits were to
do something at each park/site. Some sites are just bridges. So read a sign, look around, move on. Others are large parks with many trails to explore. I tried to stay focused on the parks and historic sites on my adventures around the state. But I sometimes added in other sites if there was something spectacular or I was far from home and didn’t know when I would be back in the area.
As I share my adventures in the Missouri State Parks, I am often asked, “What are your favorite parks?” Each one is so different and offers different amenities in different seasons. I noted some of my favorite parks in my list below. My home base is the Kansas City area, so here is how I lined out my trips.
Daytrips from Kansas City
Weston Bend State Park– Hiked West Ridge, Harpst, River, Overlook trails. Visited this park in peak fall foliage, it was a beautiful hike. This is a quick hour from my house. Beautiful day trip! *One of my favorites
Lewis and Clark State Park– Hiked Gosling Lake Trail. Lake was in a drought.
Watkins Mill State Park– Biked around the Paved Bicycle Lake trail
Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site– Visited woolen mill.
Wallace State Park– Hiked Deer Run trail.
Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site– Toured home and studio.
Big Lake State Park– Visited in winter. Viewed the lake, walked around. No hiking trails.
*Also visited Loess Bluff National Wildlife Refuge. Just a few minutes away.
Knob Noster State Park- Hiked Buteo, Hawks Nest trails and kayaked on lake.
Confederate Memorial State Historic Site– Drove through/walked around historic site and memorial.
Battle of Lexington State Historic Site- Visited visitor center and battlefield.
Jewell Cemetery State Historic Site– Visited cemetery.
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park – Hiked Devils Icebox, Sinkhole, Spring Brook Trails.
Finger Lakes State Park – Hiked Kelley Branch Trail. Would like to go back in warmer weather to kayak on the Finger Lake Water Trail
Boone’s Lick State Historic Site– Hiked down to the Boone’s Lick salt mill on the Interpretive Trail.
Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site- Hiked Radiant Trail, Stony ridge Trail walked around lodge area.
Sappington African American Cemetery State Historic Site– Visited cemetery.
Sappington Cemetery State Historic Site- Visited cemetery.
Arrow Rock State Historic Site– Hiked Pierre A Fleche Trail, Walked around historic town and visitor center.
Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park– Hiked Earthworks Trail, Memorial Trail, visited Missouri Native American Indian Cultural Center.
Lake of the Ozarks State Park– Hiked Fawn Ridge, Honey Run Trail, tour Ozark Caverns.
Ha Ha Tonka State Park – Hiked to castle, stables, Balanced Rock Island, Natural Bridge, Spring, water tower.
Bennett Springs State Park– Visit spring, hatchery, float Niangua River.
Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site Hiked Courage Trail around battlefield
Osage Village State Historic Site- Walk Interpretive trail around village area.
Prairie State Park– Hiked Sandstone Trail, did not see the buffalo herd, visit Visitor Center
Harry S Truman Birthplace State Historic Site– Walked around birthplace home.
Pomme de Terre State Park – Hiked Indian Point Trail
Harry S Truman State Park– Visited interpretive center, overlooked lake. Interesting to see a display of how Missouri lakes and rivers are connected.
Bike Trips
Katy Trail State Park – Biked the whole Katy Trail over multiple weekend trips with some friends. My favorite section is Rocheport to Jefferson City. The Rocheport area has views of the Missouri River and steep bluffs. If planning a trip, visit bikekatytrail.com for information on each city. I would like to do the whole trail in a single trip.
Rock Island Trail State Park – Biked the whole Rock Island Trail over multiple day trips . If planning a trip, visit bikerockisland.com. Note, this trail starts at the stadiums in Kansas City Missouri, goes to Lee’s Summit, then has a gap till Pleasant Hill. Pleasant Hill to Windsor is the full Rock Island Trail. There are plans to extend the trail. I live close to the Rock Island Trail and frequent the trail for walking or biking. *Added as an official park in 2023.
*These trails are my favorite biking trails. You can hop on the trail, go as far as you want, meet some friendly people from all over the country. The small towns along the trail are bike friendly.
Northeast Missouri
Locust Covered Bridge State Historic Site- Walk to historic covered bridge.
Pershing State Park– Hike Boardwalk trail, Locust Creek Trail.
*One of my favorite Parks
Gen John Pershing Boyhood Home State Historic Site – Tour Museum and home
Long Branch State Park– Hike Bee Trace, Lakeview Trail, Little Chariton Prairie Trail just had a controlled burn before we arrived.
Wakanda State Park- Many little lakes with hiking. Hiked Jasper Lake, Quartz trail
Illiwek Village State Historic Site– Interpretive Trail to replica of old village
Battle of Athens State Historic Site– See historic homes and battlefield. Had the campground to ourselves.
Thousand Hills State Park- Hike Redbud trail, Hickory trail
Crowder State Park– Hike River Forks trail, Redbud Trail
Jefferson City Day Trip
Clark’s Hill/Norton State Historic Site– Walked towards Clark’s Hill.
Jefferson Landing State Historic Site– Visited Jefferson Landing buildings,
Missouri State Museum State Historic Site– Toured Missouri State Museum and the Capital building.
*Also did a Missouri Penitentiary Tour, neat tour of very old buildings with a lot of history.
St. Louis Area
Graham Cave State Park- Hiked Fern Ridge, visit Graham Cave
Dautscheim State Historic Site– Tour historic site and historic Hermann.
Dr Edmund A Babler Memorial State Park– Bike loop through park. Beautiful scenery and quiet in early AM
Castlewood State Park- Biked to park from Stinging Nestle trail in adjacent area.
Route 66 State Park- Visit visitor center, bike outer loop of park. Interesting history of Route 66 and the Times Beach area. Visitor center and park are on opposite sides of the river.
Robertsville State Park– Hiked Spice Bluff trail and an adjacent trail
Don Robinson State Park – Hiked the Sandstone Canyon Trail. This park is on a hill, with picturesque views of rolling hills. *One of my favorite parks.
Mastodon State Historic Site- Hiked Wildflower trail, visited visitor center, hiked to bone bed
Scot Joplin House State Historic Site– Toured historic house & learned about Scot Joplin
Edward and Pat Jones Confluence Point State Park– Visit Missouri and Mississippi River confluence. Park sign was missing and had recent flooding.
First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site– Visit building, learned history of St. Charles.
Cuivre River State Park– Hiked Blackhawk, Frenchman’s Bluff trails. Beautiful views
Mark Twain State Park– Hiked Dogwood trail, Visit overlook, Tom Sawyer Lake
Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site- Visit visitor center.
Union Covered Bridge State Historic Site– Visit historic bridge.
Southeast Missouri
Onondoga Cave State Park– Hiked Vinabuler Trail, Blue Heron Trail
Meramec State Park– Hike Bluff View Trail, River Trail, visit Visitor Center
Washington State Park- Hike 1000 Steps Trail (one of my favorites), stop at Rocky top overlook and the petrographs.
St Francois State Park– Hiked Swimming Dear Trail
Missouri Mines State Historic Site– Visit Missouri Mines Museum
St Joe State Park- Hiked paved bicycle trail, drive around park.
Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site– Visit Visitor Center, walk around battleground.
Sam A Baker State Park – Hiked Shut ins trail, visitors center. I had high hopes for this park to be my favorite. I will give them kudos for the best entrance sign and old buildings. I love the old CCE stonework. But the hiking was ok. I knew there were wild hogs around, so anytime I heard a ruffling in the woods, I thought it was a wild hog. The campground was loud, and a large group had their water hose hooked up for the whole day. Maybe just the day, but not the best experience. *Favorite Entrance Sign at park
Lake Wappepello – State Park- Hike Lakeview Trail, saw sunrise over lake. Drove around lake for a bit looking for trail, no real map visible.
Morris State Park – Hiked Beech Tree Trail
Hunter Dawson State Historic Site– Visit historic house.
Big Oak Tree State Park- Hike boardwalk trail
Towosahgy State Historic Site– visit historic mounds.
Bollinger Mill State Historic Site– Visit mill and historic Burfordville Covered bridge.
Trail of Tears State Park- Visit visitor center and scenic overlook
Hawn State Park – Hike Pickle Creek trail, Overlook Trail, some of Whispering Pines. Also entered from the south entrance and drove through whispering pines area, pretty drive. Camped overnight. Beautiful campground, like camping in the forest, clean amenities, private showers, peaceful & quiet area. Stayed on a Saturday night in September. I will visit again, but it is 4+ hours away. *One of my favorite parks
*Also hiked the 2 mile look at Pickle Springs Conservation Area. Unique rock formations throughout the trail.
Felix Valle House State Historic House– Toured house, walked around St. Genevieve one of the oldest settlements west of the Mississippi River
Governor Daniel Dunkins Grave State Historic Site– Visited grave overlooking the Mississippi River
Sandy Creek Bridge State Historic Site- Visited bridge. Google maps dropped me off on an abandoned road behind the bridge, took a few minutes to realize where bridge was located. Had a nice picnic area.
* My favorite state park trip. Went in early September, did not have large crowds. Interesting to go through the Ozarks, St Francois mountains, then end up in the plains of the boot-hill by the New Madrid fault line.
Southeast Ozarks
Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park- Walk Shut-ins Trail, swim/play in shut-ins water. Visited a few times, can be busy in summer.
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park- Hiked Mina Sauk Falls Trail, waterfall was trickling, visited highest point in Missouri
Elephant Rocks State Park– Hiked Engine House Ruins Trail, explore “elephant” rocks.
Dillard Mill State Historic Site– A typical historic site. Down one or two gravel roads, to the middle of nowhere, to a beautiful site. This mill is picturesque, beautiful campground and hiking, no one else there (on a Friday afternoon in July). Will go back. *One of my favorite historic sites
*Added a float trip on the Black River. Clear river with family friendly float trips.
Ozarks Trip
Bryant Creek State Park- A newer state park. Hiked Pinewoods and Pike Hollow trails. Looks great for all levels of hiking.
Grand Gulf State Park– Known as the Mini Grand Canyon, hiked around the Natural Bridge trail and viewed the gulf from both sides.
Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry– Accessed from Echo Bluff State Park, hiked part of Current River Trail.
Echo Bluff State Park– Hiked Painters Ridge trail, went to the pavilion overlook, saw the wild horses of Shannon County in the campground, hiked to the old Camp Zoe, visited Sinking Creek & the bluff. Did not have a camping reservation, it was full, so camped at Round Spring in the scenic riverway. Very modern camping, lodge, and cabins. Picturesque views from the pavilion and bluff side creek for playing. Great for all lodging options. *One of my favorite parks.
Current River State Park– Hike Centennial Bluff Trail, explored old resort.
Montauk State Park– Hiked around fish hatcheries and to the spring. I’m not really a fisherman but enjoyed watching everyone fish.
*Since I was around the Ozark National Scenic Riverway, I visited a few more sites. Blue Spring, Round Spring, Falling Spring, Ally Spring, (Big Spring was closed for a scheduled hunt) some of these were the original Missouri State Parks before they were donated to the National Park Service. Camped at Round Spring and Pulltite. Floated Akers Ferry to Pulltite in the Fall. Beautiful float.
Southwest Missouri
Battle of Carthage State Historic Site– Walked around historic site.
Big Sugar Creek State Park – Hiked Chinquapin Trail. Nice meandering trail with lots of creek crossings.
Roaring River State Park – Hiked River Trail and Fire Tower trail, visited fish hatchery.
Table Rock Lake State Park – Hiked on paved bike trail, enjoyed sunset over the lake.
Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead State Historic Site – Visited historic home and grounds.
Stockton Lake State Park – Hiked Umber trail.
Not open as of my visit to the area
Shepherd of the Hills State Park
* I will keep an eye out for the opening of these state parks and visit when I can.
Noted other places to see.
*Since both sites are in my area, I stopped in to visit.
Bruce R Watkins Cultural Heritage Center – Explored the museum on history of Bruce R Watkins and Kansas City.
National Frontier Trails Center – Museum just reopened in November 2023. I had been before, but the new location and display is nice.
As of Fall 2022 there were 94 State Parks & Historic Sites. 3 parks are not open (Jay Nixon, Eleven Point, Shepherd of the Hills), 1 was added in Summer 2023 (Rock Island), 2 suggested (Bruce R. Watkins, Three Trails Museum).
Overall, my experience at the Missouri State Parks was amazing. Each park or site was clean and well maintained. Yes, I saw and used a lot of vault toilets, but always a clean facility. Drove down many abandon gravel roads to amazing sites. Walked around in the woods in the winter months, sometimes feeling like I was the only visitor in the whole park. Learned quite a bit of history about all areas of our state. I already have a couple of weekend getaways in mind to re-visit some of the parks. Visit some parks in different seasons to use some other amenities.
Many of the early Missouri State Parks have CCC buildings. I think these limestone buildings and structures are a beautiful look into the past. According to an article in Ozark Watch, “The CCC had been established by the Emergency Conservation Act of 1933 for the two-fold purpose of easing the critical unemployment situation for America’s young men and to provide for the conservation of the nation’s devastated forest and soil resources.” Roaring River, Sam A. Baker, Washington, Montauk, and Bennett Springs are just some of the parks with remaining CCC buildings.
There are a few tips I have if going to visit. Check the park’s status. Some parks do not have water or showers in the winter, some may have scheduled hunts or events. Also, I always look at the map of the park. Checking the trail maps doesn’t always help you find your bearings as to the location of the trail in the park. I like to print or save the park map, so I know where to drive once I arrive. Most parks have maps on the bulletin boards, so are out. AllTrails is an app that has almost all trails in the parks, and you can find the trail location from where you are located. Strava is an app that tracks your location while hiking, so you can follow along the trail. Some parks do not have cell signal, so printed maps help.
Remember, you are always welcome in Missouri State Parks!
Happy Exploring! 
Molly Wichman
* Want some tips or to share some adventures, email me at mwichman11@gmail.com. Always open to help!