Mo State Parks Stories

Equestrians ride along a section of the Rock Island Trail that opened in 2016 that connects Windsor to Pleasant Hill.
Rock Island Trail State Park
Recycling at its finest.
An image of architectural plans for the Salt Creek bridge.
From Concept to Completion
Strengthening our parks and historic sites with capital investments for the future.
Photo of trees.
2019 Missouri DNR Photo Contest
Armed with a camera and a love for Missouri’s natural resources, photographers captured fleeting moments for the 2019 contest. See who the winners are and admire their handiwork!
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Explore Missouri’s “Little Grand Canyon” on the Interpretive Loop Trail at Grand Gulf State Park
Grand Gulf State Park, located in Oregon County near the Arkansas border, is home to some of the most stunning geological features in the state. The park contains a number of caves and sinkholes, a natural bridge and a vertical-walled canyon for which the park is named.
Missouri’s American Indian Cultural Center at Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park displays permanent and temporary exhibits that interpret the cultural history of the nine tribes that called Missouri home in the 19th century.
Top Spots to Visit a Museum
With winter in full swing, take advantage of the indoor opportunities Missouri state parks and historic sites have to offer by exploring a number of visitor centers and museums.
Photo of Olive and Nathan Boone’s tombstones in the family cemetery at Nathan Boone Homestead State Historic Site.
Explore Cemeteries in Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites
In 1967, the Missouri State Legislature enacted a statute requiring the State Park Board to “maintain every grave of a former governor within the state which is not within a perpetual care cemetery.” Today, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources maintains the graves of four Missouri governors.
Fall maple leaves scatter across 1000th Mile Trail at Truman State Park.
Passionate People=Great Parks=Passionate People
Working for Missouri State Parks isn’t just another day in the office. A beautiful setting paired with a love for the outdoors keeps employees coming back – even after they retire!
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Katy Trail Cleanup Under Way
Crews from Missouri State Parks have begun clearing and repairing sections of Katy Trail State Park in an effort to restore the trail and provide greater access to users.
Photo of a family touring Onondaga Cave.
Top Spots to Trick-or-Treat
As we near the end of October, Missouri’s state parks and historic sites are getting into the Halloween spirit.
Photo of Ben Nagy, a trail coordinator for the department's division of Missouri State Parks.
New trail coordinator brings enthusiasm for trails, outdoors to State Parks
When Ben Nagy joined Missouri State Parks as the division’s trail coordinator in July, he brought with him several years of trails experience and a strong enthusiasm for the outdoors.