Your Ultimate Guide To State Parks in Missouri

Exploring Missouri means always having a long list of places to go and things to do. We can all probably agree that we can never really get bored in Missouri unless we feel like it. There is so much to do here. Even if we're strapped for cash, we can get out and have fun at one of the best state parks in Missouri. Missouri's state parks are admission-free and offer something for everyone—hiking, biking, swimming, boating, camping, and just kicking back and chilling.

Most Popular State Parks in Missouri

One of the best ways to get to know Missouri is by exploring its many state parks, where you can hike, boat, go horseback riding, and camp. Many of Missouri's state parks offer activities all year round. If you're not sure where to start when it comes to exploring, plan a visit to one of the most popular state parks in Missouri.

1. Roaring River State Park – Cassville

• Location: Cassville
• Wow Factor: Roaring River Spring is a stunning blue.
• Need to Know: This state park is home to Roaring River, which offers some of the best trout fishing in Missouri.

If you've not been to the most-visited state park in Missouri, known for its trout fishing and deep blue spring, add it to your bucket list. You'll find a full menu of things to do at Roaring River State Park, including fishing, wildlife watching, picnicking, and camping. Slip on a pair of comfy shoes, and follow one or all of the seven hiking trails, too. If you're bringing the little ones along, stop by the playground in the day-use area.

2. Ha Ha Tonka State Park – Camdenton

• Location: Camdenton
• Wow Factor: A highlight of this state park is the Ha Ha Tonka Castle and a natural bridge.
• Need to Know: Ha Ha Tonka State Park is home to Missouri's 12th largest spring.

Ha Ha Tonka State Park is perhaps best known for the ruins of a majestic castle, originally built by the Snyder family, that went up in flames in the 1940s. Visiting the ruins is just one of the many things to do at Ha Ha Tonka State Park. You will also want to explore one of the many trails, go boating, or spend time watching wildlife. Ha Ha Tonka transforms into a winter wonderland after it snows, making it one of the best state parks in Missouri in winter.

3. Elephant Rocks State Park – Belleview

• Location: Belleview
• Wow Factor: The natural rock formations found here date back more than 1.5 billion years.
• Need to Know: Guests with mobility issues can reserve an electronic off-road track chair to explore the park's trails.

Of all the things to do at Elephant Rocks State Park, the most memorable is visiting Elephant Rocks, 1.5-billion-year-old granite rock formations that look like circus elephants. That's just the beginning of the fun, though. Bouldering, hiking, and picnicking are all popular activities. One of the best state parks in Missouri to visit in summer, Elephant Rocks hosts a food truck on select days throughout the year. Grab a hot dog, nachos, chips, and shaved ice.

Best State Parks in Missouri To Camp

Pack all of your gear for an epic adventure at one of these Missouri state parks that promise an amazing camping experience. Try glamping in a yurt, pitch a tent for a primitive adventure, or book a stay at a modern cabin. Missouri's state parks promise something for everyone.

4. Pomme de Terre State Park – Pittsburg

• Location: Pittsburg
• Wow Factor: Rent one of the yurts for a glamping adventure.
• Need to Know: You can book a stay up to one year in advance.

Go on a glamping adventure by booking one of the yurts at Pomme de Terre State Park. You'll find many of the comforts of home: air-conditioning, a mini-fridge, and a lamp, but no running water. During the day, discover the many things to do at Pomme de Terre State Park, including hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, picnicking, and camping. Spend your summer days lounging on one of the two sandy beaches and swimming in the lake.

5. Sam A. Baker State Park – Patterson

• Location: Patterson
• Wow Factor: You can camp at this state park any time of the year.
• Need to Know: The park has three campgrounds, including one that's open all year.

Adventure calls in all seasons, and you can answer by going camping at Sam A. Baker State Park, home to three campgrounds—a seasonal campground, an equestrian campground, and a year-round campground. Campgrounds are handicap-accessible and feature a variety of amenities, including parking, showers, and bathrooms. Spend your days exploring the many things to do at Sam A. Baker State Park. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, boating, swimming, and picnicking are all popular activities at the park.

6. Table Rock State Park – Branson

• Location: Branson
• Wow Factor: This is glamping at its finest. Here, you'll find a yurt with two bedrooms.
• Need to Know: You'll want to book your stay here in advance. There is only one yurt that's available year-round.

For the ultimate camping adventure, reserve the two-bedroom yurt at Table Rock State Park. The yurt is brimming with modern amenities, including A/C and heat, a full kitchen, a living room, a sliding glass door, and a skylight. If you prefer a more traditional experience, pitch a tent or park your RV.

Best State Parks in Missouri to RV

Enjoy all the comforts of home while camping out under the stars at one of these state parks in Missouri, perfect for an RV adventure. Spend your days exploring the state park, hiking, picnicking, and even swimming before retreating to your RV.

7. Echo Bluff State Park – Eminence

• Location: Eminence
• Wow Factor: There's a site for every type of camper, or you can stay in the park's lodge.
• Need to Know: There are 60 full-service sites and 12 walk-in sites.

For an epic adventure, book your stay at Timbuktu Campground at Echo Bluff State Park, where you can pitch a tent or park your RV. The campground boasts a full menu of amenities, including complimentary wifi, laundry, and a restaurant. You can also spend the day hiking or mountain biking, watch the kiddos at the splash pad, and enjoy a day floating on the river in the summer.

8. Wakonda State Park – La Grange

• Location: La Grange
• Wow Factor: Wakonda State Park is home to a massive 20,000-square-foot beach.
• Need to Know: You can book a campsite at Wakonda State Park (and all Missouri state parks) up to 12 months in advance.

Go camping year-round at one of Wakonda State Park's two campgrounds. Both feature water and showers seasonally. Boulder Lake Campground has electric sites while Wakonda Lake Campground offers sewer, electric, and water. You'll find so many things to do at Wakonda State Park that you'll want to camp out for at least a few evenings. Popular park activities include hiking, biking, swimming, boating, and fishing. If you visit during the summer, bring your swimming gear for a day at the sandy beach. The beach makes it one of the best state parks in Missouri in summer.

9. Crowder State Park – Trenton

• Location: Trenton
• Wow Factor: Crowder Lake is the gem of the park.
• Need to Know: All campers must be on-site by 10 p.m. nightly when the campground gate closes.

Pull into one of the shaded RV spots at Crowder State Park that also offers tent camping. The RV campground features a variety of amenities, including vault toilets, showers, and water. Plan to spend time checking out all of the things to do at Crowder State Park, too. From horseback riding and wildlife watching to hiking and boating, there's something to do for everyone at this nearly 2,000-acre state park.

Best State Parks in Missouri for Hiking

Is there a better way to experience all of the beauty that Missouri has to offer than on a scenic hike? Missouri's more than 800 hiking trails promise something for everyone, from newbies who prefer a leisurely walk through the woods to seasoned hikers who want a mighty challenge. Some of the best hiking trails in Missouri are in its state parks.

10. Lake of the Ozarks State Park – Brumley

• Location: Brumley
• Wow Factor: At 17,626 acres, this is the largest state park in Missouri.
• Need to Know: The park is home to a cavern, and guided tours are offered on select days throughout the year.

More than a dozen hiking trails, spanning 56 miles, offer an idyllic way to get to know Lake of the Ozarks State Park, the largest in Missouri. For a relatively short and sweet trek, follow the 1.3-mile Lake Trail that meanders along the lakeshore. Just be prepared for a moderate challenge. The park is also home to a 9.9-mile aquatic trail if you're up for a day on the water. For more things to do at Lake of the Ozarks State Park, relax on one of the two sandy beaches, go fishing, or plan a camping adventure.

11. Katy Trail State Park – Machens

• Location: Machens
• Wow Factor: Katy Trail is the longest trail in Missouri, spanning 240 miles.
• Need to Know: The trail is broken into 26 segments.

If you're up for an epic adventure, follow the entirety of the 240-mile Katy Trail, which runs from Clinton to Machens. The trail is divided into 26 shorter segments. The most popular things to do at Katy Trail State Park include hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Katy Trail, one of the best state parks in Missouri in spring, offers a glimpse at Missouri history, features four railroad depots, and boasts a tunnel of trees.

12. Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park – Middle Brook

• Location: Middle Brook
• Wow Factor: The natural shut-ins are absolutely stunning and a popular swimming hole in the summer.
• Need to Know: The park can become quite crowded, especially during the summer.

Wear a pair of comfy shoes because you've got a lot of hiking ahead of you at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park. Six trails meander through the park. The Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park Trail leads straight to this natural wonder. It offers a bit of a challenge, and dogs are not allowed on it. However, it's worth it for the views of the shut-ins.

Best Little-Known State Parks in Missouri

With 93 state parks and historic sites in Missouri, we can easily overlook a few gems that are more than deserving of a spot on our bucket list. Next time you're planning an adventure, check out one of the best lesser-known state parks in Missouri. Here are a few to get you started.

13. Big Oak Tree State Park – East Prairie

• Location: East Prairie
• Wow Factor: Hickory and oak trees stand 120 feet here.
• Need to Know: The park offers a glimpse of Missouri before it was developed.

Stroll along a boardwalk trail that will take you under a canopy of trees at this lesser-known state park in Missouri that promises plenty of quiet. The towering trees make it one of the best state parks in Missouri in fall, and you'll likely cross paths with a variety of wildlife from raccoons to deer.

14. Big Lake State Park – Craig

• Location: Craig
• Wow Factor: It's home to the "largest remaining oxbow lake" in Missouri.
• Need to Know: Big Lake State Park is popular with families, offering both day use and camping.

The gem of the cozy 407-acre state park is the oxbow lake, where you can while away the hours boating and fishing. With all the things to do at Big Lake State Park, you might want to make your visit an overnighter or a weekend getaway. Reserve a camper cabin or pitch a tent lakeside.

15. Wallace State Park – Cameron

• Location: Cameron
• Wow Factor: It promises plenty of quiet about an hour from Kansas City.
• Need to Know: This is a particularly family-friendly park.

While it's rather snug at around 500 acres, Wallace State Park boasts plenty of natural beauty, including its gem: a six-acre lake. The most popular activities at Wallace State Park are fishing, boating, and hiking. The park also has four trails and a playground for the kids.

Do you agree that these are the best state parks in Missouri? What other Missouri parks would you add to this list? Let me know by filling out this nomination form. Ready for even more adventures in Missouri? Check out some of our favorite road trip itineraries in Missouri. But, before heading out on any day or road trip, make sure you check out our Only In Your State road trip essentials packing list.